3. George Harris (Fareham HC, ex-Welsh international)
George might sound an interesting choice, but George Harris would be a great option, should Holcombe be interested in theoretically getting hold of his services. George has bags of experience and whilst Fareham have brought in depth in their outfield, they don’t seem to be league winning challengers this season. So perhaps George would be up for a challenge with a team more likely to have immediate success, to get back in the same league he was in with East Grinstead. George still has “got what it takes” and the decision to bring in Potton over him has always puzzled me, with Potton struggling to “up” his game in Euro’s versus Harris’ composure and ability to aid his team in pushing for places further along in the competition. Yes, he’s going on in years, yes, he might be weary of the idea, but he’d be a great fit for a side that want experience and talent.
4. Simon Mason (Guildford HC, ex-Reading HC and GB Olympian)
What come across as a bit of a wild card idea (note wild card number one!), Mason would also be a great fit. Tall, confident, vocal and experienced, Mason has it all when it comes to being the perfect goalkeeper. But unless he doesn’t want to be hockey’s version of Peter Shilton (who had something like a 21 year playing career), I can’t see why not! Having teamed up with coach Ian Jennings, Mason has a vested interest perhaps to stick with the Surrey side but they look like their starting their way to relegation, “down the barrel of the gun” so to speak. And even with him, if they can’t score, there’s not much that can be done, leaving him in a bit of a frustrating position.
When he does finally “hang up the pads”, Guildford will be a little in the deep end regardless because of what he brings to the team. And there is no version of Nick Brothers at Guildford to pave the way to this time. Their second choice has not proven himself taking over, with Mason injured for a couple of games this season, and a switch to another club would see the chance for a goalkeeper of similar standard to come in and fill his shoes. He could be a great fit, but would Holcombe have him?! The window shuts on Monday anyway, so it’d probably next season if anyone does.
5. Nick Brothers (ex-England, Reading)
Given that Nick’s work situation contributed to him leaving the Berkshire side Reading, allowing England U21’s and Bath hockey player James Bailey to step into his shoes, after being missed out of the London Olympics squad, he is another goalkeeper that is still up to scratch but in a different stage in life and playing career. Teddington’s Alex Chapman stepped in for them, making a comeback, after going to Dubai for work, leaving Oxted at the time; if he can why can’t Brothers do the same?! A goalkeeper capable of putting in goalkeeping displays like that saw Reading be the first English club to get a medal (bronze) in the Euro Hockey League thanks to putting on goalkeeping shows such as this below, he could benefit any team.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJcxh5tKB38
Brothers has been playing for Reading in indoor format , so one wonders if he’ll make the jump back to outdoor, having made the sacrifice to focus more on his working career as a necessity. With his muscle memory and reactions still intact I don’t think it would take too long to shake off the rust, so perhaps he could be a possibility, even if a long shot.
An overseas goalie?
Outside the box of local talent, Holcombe could always look to sign an overseas goalkeeper looking for a change of scenery or new challenge, but would have difficulty prising a real star to play for them. Vivaldi has played abroad for Den Bosch, as has Cortes, but both are looking to step up their international campaigns on the way to the next Olympics, so would they want a season that could affect this taking place? Plus both of them would be taking a slight step down (if Holcombe still struggle with their targeted promotion) from their standard level of play, so would they want to? One option would be to bring in a goalkeeper looking for a new experience and opportunity for higher level player, like Canterbury have done with Antoni Kindler. Dave Carter might be up for a change or another option like a South African international (with a few SA outfielders signing in England every now and then). Whilst some would naysay this one (hear me out on this one!), Chris Rea has an American passport and playing for them in international competitions of late you can say he sort of counts (although not in the same vein as Tom Sheridan when at Surbiton!), and with Prem experience with Exeter has got first team experience and experience against some top nations already.
My “pick of the bunch”
In a dream world, I think Holcombe should go for signing “Fairy” (although ignore any other connotations of that nickname because that’s what they call him in the hockey world and unlike football fans and their chants is not meant maliciously! Anyhoo…!). He brings with him loads of experience, athleticism, desire and talent; able to do the difficult and the easy without too much difficulty. And he could be looking for a change in club now that Smith is getting his chance with Cannock.
I personally would go for Ashley Watson or George Harris. Whether or not they would move, there are some of the only candidates good enough and available enough to relate to the topic in hand. Both offer great depth of experience and upside. One is looking to take his goalkeeping game “to the next level”, whilst the other is already there but lacking opportunity to “test his mettle”. With more needed to push Holcombe in the right direction, Harris could settle the defence and provide some veteran assistance for the backline. And Ashley would want to fight for a place as sure fire starter (with his old club relegated since his departure).
Ultimately, Holcombe are in the financial situation to be able to look for talent but to harvest it they’re looking outside the constraints of playing due to personal situations for the goalkeepers on offer, given there are not too many elite goalkeepers around domestically versus years gone by. If push comes to shove, I’m sure they could pluck a suitable candidate from home or abroad, but would the candidate want to affect their chances at international level or club without certainties over promotion chances etc.? Not to be harsh on Allan (as is he wasn’t up to it Surbiton and Holcombe would have been shipping goals left right and centre in his tenures) but if we were to go with the concept that Holcombe are looking for short term gain over long term (as Allan is about to enter his golden years as a goalie), then a new goalkeeper might be the difference maker in promotion chances, but it would have to be a goalkeeper of elite quality and one that can bring them instant success and be around to status as they ideally get promoted. With it being half way into an Olympic calendar year there are going to be few around with that interest. If they wanted to, Holcombe might be able to prise away a talent, but who would it be?!
[Editor’s note: the intention of this article is to provide discussion, not offence, as an opinion piece wherein no goalies are meant to be harmed in the process of analysis!! – Please also read said comments lightly 🙂 !- ]
Grim's Goalkeeping 