Chris Kettings, Athletic's reserve keeper, conceding five goals in the recent trophy match at home to Carlisle United but believes his spell on loan at Hyde United has helped his game.
He said, “I was told about the chance to go to Hyde on loan from Blackpool and I thought, do I really want to take it, at a club that's shipping three or four goals every week? But as a goalkeeper, game-time really is invaluable. You can go to a side that is top of the league, sit behind a strong back four and not have anything to do. But is doing that and totting up clean sheets really assisting a lot in your development? I really think it was the bets move I could have made at that time. I knew what I was getting into and it was character-building as much as anything.”
“I tried out in every position, as kids do, then one week I went in goal, did quite well and ended up staying. I was always a little chubby as a kid so it suited me to play there. At that time, Peter Schmeichel was in goal at Manchester United and for any kid in goal, he was the one you would look up to and try to emulate.
At Crystal Palace he was back-up to Julian Speroni and Wayne Hennessey before he signed for the Latics. He went on, “I will support Connor and the team and then if and when the opportunity arises, I will be ready to take it. It's a massive waiting game. You don't want to think of a goalkeeper getting injured, but a huge part of the job is being strong mentally and to work hard to make sure you area ready if and when called on.”