Keeper Skool Interviews Tony Waiters

Tony Waiters career spans the spectrum of over arching success, not only as an exceptional goalkeeper, though also as a coach with tenure at the highest echelon of football globally, and as an football educator whose depth of knowledge has taken many players and teams to the next level.

Playing a vital role as goalkeeper for Blackpool for close to a decade, Tony Waiters appeared in over 250 appearances for the ‘Seasiders’ throughout the 60′s. With 5 international caps for England, Tony was in line to replace legendary goalkeeper Gordon Banks in the 1966 World Cup, which ultimately did not eventuate. The following year Tony retired from football and begun his journey into coaching.

With roles at Liverpool FC’s Academy, the FA and finally at Burnley FC, where he returned to playing for over 40 games with ‘The Clarets’ before definitively hanging up the gloves and returning to full time coaching.

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Keeper has faith in Wigan

Wigan Athletic are still facing a massive fight against relegation from the Premier League, but their goal keeper Ali Al Habsi reckons they have done enough to avoid the drop.

The Latics have been sitting down the wrong end of the table for virtually the entire season but Roberto Martinez has done well to keep morale high and keep them scrapping until the end.

With two games to go they are one point off safety and now face a massive Premier League relegation six-pointer against rock-bottom West Ham at the DW Stadium this weekend.

If Wigan want to avoid relegation then three points from this game is vital and they could condemn the Hammers to the Championship also, but it is dog-eat-dog coming into the business end of the season, as those looking to bet on Premier League weekend games will know.

Al Habsi, who has been one bright spark for Martinez’s team this season, told the Evening Post he thinks the draw with Aston Villa last time out could play a “huge part” going into the West Ham game and confidence took a boost as a result and the Premier League tips reflect this.

“We are playing fantastic football – not just at the moment but for most of the season. We have been unlucky at times not to get the results we have deserved, but we are not out of it yet,” the Oman stopper added.

“The team, the manager, everyone deserves to be playing in this league – and we will do everything we can to make it happen.”

Martinez recently challenged his Wigan players to step up over the remaining weeks of the season, claiming they are in control of their own destiny as they look to avoid Premier relegation on May 22nd.

Shay Given’s ‘nearly-man’ tag looks set to stick

Matt Le Tissier is widely regarded as the most well known Premier League player whose loyalty to his beloved club as well as a lack of ambition cost him further honours both domestically and internationally that his talents perhaps deserved.

But goalkeeper Shay Given may well become the 21st century example if he looks back on his impressive but ultimately trophy less career in a few seasons time.

Irish international Given is set to miss the rest of the season with a shoulder injury and therefore it appears his brief flirtation with Manchester City is over.

The 34-year-old signed for the Blues in January 2023 with a desire to win trophies. At that stage Newcastle were on their way down to the Championship while City were busy collecting any player who commanded a sizeable transfer fee in order to demonstrate their new found financial strength.

Despite accusing the Magpies of not doing enough to keep him the Newcastle supporters wished Given well as he had given them 12 years loyal service and stuck with them through thick and thin in the hope they would win a trophy.

But in the end, with his years advancing, he took the gamble to jump ship to City. Unfortunately it hasn’t really worked.

Not only have City failed to win a trophy their spending should really command but Given is now second choice to Joe Hart, only making fleeting appearances in the cups this season. Plenty of people will be considering placing a football bet on City to win the FA Cup this season, but even if they do Given won’t be part of the team when it happens.

Goalkeepers can continue on until their late thirties or in Edwin Van Der Sar’s case into their forties so Given may still have time on his side. But his next move, possibly his last, is a critical one if he wants a few medals to with his vast collection of international caps. He needs to prove first that he is still good enough to compete at the top level – not easy from the substitute’s bench – as a drop down the divisions will all but signal an end to his hopes.

If he can then maybe he could end his career on a high and console himself with a quote linked to his nation’s most famous tipple: Good things come to those who wait.