Macca

Do posters think that injury aside Macca has played his last game for the club?
I find it a bit strange that he seems to have been frozen out for a few months, ok I know his form was only moderate this season and Max has been a steady replacement, but you have to wonder if there has been some sort of fall out behind the scenes.
Anyway if he has played his last game I want to pay tribute to a keeper who has always  worn the shirt with pride and pulled us out of the do-do too many times to remember, ok he has made a few howlers as well, but that's the life of a keeper.
Many lost some respect after he put in a transfer request after being what he felt was unfairly dropped, I for one didn't and still retain respect and gratitude for what he has done for this club, as I am sure do the majority of Town fans.
If we don't we you again in a GTFC shirt Macca, thanks and good luck for the future.

Something has definitely gone on. He's not even helping with the keeper warm up on match days any more. Was he with the squad yesterday or at Chesterfield?

Quoted from Jaws

Something has definitely gone on. He's not even helping with the keeper warm up on match days any more. Was he with the squad yesterday or at Chesterfield?

He may have been at Chesterfield, that's why he wasn't with the squad at King's Lynn I recon

I don’t think it’s all that strange. He got dropped, for the second time in two seasons, because he wasn’t playing particularly well - same as any outfield player would.

His replacement has come in and on balance, done a better job than the one he was doing. As such he remains out of the team.

I did wonder if he might get a run out if our last couple of games were dead rubbers, but the way it’s shaping up even if we’ve secured a play-off place before the end of the season, it’s likely there will still be an event of positional advantage to play for.

He’s been a fantastic servant to this club and a great ambassador at times - it’s a real shame if his Town career peters out like this but footballing decisions, nor those in any line of business, should be made on the basis of sentiment.

He was at Kings Lynn yesterday and on the pitch prematch but Battersby was the main warm up partner for Crocombe.

I took what Hurst said a few weeks ago about Battersby going to away games as an indication that McKeown is now number 3 choice.

I think we’ve probably seen the last of him in a town shirt.

Crocombe was given a chance and hasn't particularly given Hurst a reason to drop him, we don't name a keeper on the bench ever.

Macca is a seasoned pro with a family...no point taking him away from them on massive trips with overnight stays ie Weymouth, when there's little to no chance of him getting on the pitch. May as well give Ollie the experience of travelling.

Totally agree that sentiment shouldn't come.into it, he was dropped, probably rightly by the manager for indifferent form, it just seems such a dramatic fall from grace for someone who was not so long ago captain and is  now barely seen
Lol

Sorry about the lol that appeared at TBE end of my post - no idea where that came from!

Macca will always be one of my all time favourites

But is it possible crocombe is underated because of that good will we all feel for macca. Not that anyone has said crocombe should be dropped, just that he doesnt seem to get much praise but he does always seem to be doing all the right things

Hurst is notoriously ruthless and this is just another example of it, in the right way too.

McKeown's form hasn't been good enough over the last 18 months.  It's that simple.  As much of a car crash as last season was, McKeown was particularly poor.  At no point should we forget his contribution over the last 10 years but we can't be ruled by sentiment.  Crocombe has done better than McKeown and is an upgrade, I don't think he's the answer long term but an improvement he is.  

Macca is our highest earner by quite a bit coincide that with the fact he's not played particularly well this season when he was number 1 means we have almost certainly seen the last of him in a town shirt.

I think it's the right decision for him to move on and us too, nothing but good things to say about Macca and always respect him but it's just time for him to earn as much as he can now elsewhere, pretty sure he can still play league football.

Didn't mean this post as a Max versus Macca question, Max is doing a great.job and deservedly remains in the team, I just get the feel that Macca could be on his way at seasons end and wanted to pay tribute to him for his service to the club.

Quoted from TAGG

He may have been at Chesterfield, that's why he wasn't with the squad at King's Lynn I recon

He was at King's Lynn.

I can see him ending up at Scunny next season, as I doubt he'll want to uproot his family, who seem nicely settled in the area now.

Clee town…

Quoted from Les Brechin

I can see him ending up at Scunny next season, as I doubt he'll want to uproot his family, who seem nicely settled in the area now.

That would be horrible.

“Yeah I know I wasn’t playing with that toy, but YOU’RE not having it!!”.

If he still wants to be a Number 1 then I wouldn't be surprised to see him back at Boston. If he's going somewhere as a Number 2 then there are plenty of options not too far away.

Macca should benefit from a new challenge at another club.  

Quoted from jamesgtfc

If he still wants to be a Number 1 then I wouldn't be surprised to see him back at Boston. If he's going somewhere as a Number 2 then there are plenty of options not too far away.

Followed by Pearson a year later ?

Quoted from Grantham_Mariner

Followed by Pearson a year later ?

And then Hurst a yea... I'm joking!  

Anthony Church too?

I might be wrong but I swear I saw something somewhere about Macca having some sort of minor injury which actually needed surgery or something a while back?? 🤔 I may be wrong obviously.

Quoted from Poojah

I don’t think it’s all that strange. He got dropped, for the second time in two seasons, because he wasn’t playing particularly well - same as any outfield player would.

100%. Unless you were a loony, why would play your less than best keeper? Silly notion. Paul Hurst is nothing if not pragmatic

If we need ro reinforcement that department I would be knocking on Solihull door their keeper seems more than useful

Hurst doesn’t usually name a keeper on the bench, so no surprise if he isn’t being seen.

Whether something has happened or not, Hurst judged him to not be at the right level last year and brought a keeper in on loan and into the starting 11. I’m not convinced McKeown has been particularly good this year, which gave Crocombe his chance.

I view Crocombe as a upgrade, but remain unconvinced whether he will remain first choice next year, or whether Hurst will be eyeing up someone else, not that he has done anything wrong.

Beast Burger are looking for someone, as long as he doesnt drop the buns

Quoted from jonnyboy82

Macca is our highest earner by quite a bit coincide that with the fact he's not played particularly well this season when he was number 1 means we have almost certainly seen the last of him in a town shirt.

I think it's the right decision for him to move on and us too, nothing but good things to say about Macca and always respect him but it's just time for him to earn as much as he can now elsewhere, pretty sure he can still play league football.

His form in the last 18 months would suggest otherwise.

Crocombe is better than the macca we have had for the past 18 months, who has looked really noticeably off the pace.

At yesterday's game crocombe claimed plenty of crosses, he is better with the ball, his distribution  is  better and especially a lot quicker. He makes errors and doesn't have the shot stopping wonder saves or fantastic one on one ability the old macca had,but unfortunately neither does the current macca.

No doubt that we can be more efficient next season in the goal keeping expenditure than whatever it is we are currently paying macca, crocombe and Battersby to have just 1 in the squad.

But, if max picked up an injury before a playoff game I'd definitely want us to be bringing macca in rather than Battersby, he's got bags of experience, literally been there and done it in the playoffs and just might pull off one of his they shall not pass impossible games we know he can.

Nothing but respect for macca and it is a shame that his town career has gone with such a whimper in his testimonial year.

Hurst mentioned that some players aren't playing because they have a clause in their contract that if they've played X number of games this season they automatically get an extra year's contract. I wouldn't be surprised if this is McKeown's situation.

I don't think anything has gone on behind the scenes; he's simply been replaced by Crocombe, who Hurst obviously rates as being the better option. I think he's been proven right in that regard as Macca was having too many dodgy moments and Crocombe has proved himself more than an adequate replacement.

He got a good 3 year contract when that Scottish club came in for him and he is probably a top earner at GTFC. His contract is coming to an end and I suspect he won't be offered a new one. Unless there is a rule change and the National League allow more than 5 subs, I can't see us having a keeper on the bench anytime soon, and if we did, PH probably feels that Battersby is capable of filling the gap, or we could bring someone in on loan.

His leaving would free up a good chunk of budget and I suspect we will see a new keeper in the squad next season, possibly first choice with Crocombe being the back up.

Upshot is that Macca has been a good servant and one of our longest serving players, but It's time to move on.

He is obviously very settled in the area but regardless of what happens in the next few weeks he can't be number 1 here next season. So with taking a substantial pay cut to be number 2 seeming unlikely who thinks he could end up at Scunny?

Separately, Crocombe has done alright but if Hurst likes Battersby I'd be looking at having him as number 2 and pushing the budget as far as possible for a new number 1.

The fact nobody is asking the question at pressers potentially indicates that something may have gone on…

Either way, can’t see him here next year…

I've said in another post about Macca, just before Xmas Hurst said James had requested that his name was but out there to other clubs.
Hurst said there was no issue with Macca at that time and he understands the situation, so read into that what you will.
Word on the grapevine is Macca has recently qualified as a PE teacher and is looking at exploring that route and playing part time, so don't be surprised if he's playing for. Clee Town or even Grimsby Borough next year.

If he goes part time I could see him back at Boston. Not too far to commute, still pay a decent amount and a decent level to play at.

Quoted from mariner91

If he goes part time I could see him back at Boston. Not too far to commute, still pay a decent amount and a decent level to play at.

Boston have relied on loan keepers this season after we signed Max Crocombe at the 11th hour and doubled what he was going to be on as Boston No1 this season. It's a decent level though and could work out well if he's got a plan for life after playing.

It's a decision that's paid off for Crocombe not just financially because he's managed to grab the opportunity with both hands. On a personal level though, I'm absolutely gutted McKeown's testimonial year has panned out this way.

Quoted from jamesgtfc

Boston have relied on loan keepers this season after we signed Max Crocombe at the 11th hour and doubled what he was going to be on as Boston No1 this season. It's a decent level though and could work out well if he's got a plan for life after playing.

It's a decision that's paid off for Crocombe not just financially because he's managed to grab the opportunity with both hands. [/b]On a personal level though, I'm absolutely gutted McKeown's testimonial year has panned out this way.[b]

Any significance you’re called James?

Quoted from TAGG

He may have been at Chesterfield, that's why he wasn't with the squad at King's Lynn I recon

He was warming up at Kings Lynn with battersby and crocombe

Quoted from Norseman

He was warming up at Kings Lynn with battersby and crocombe

He was and it didn’t seem like he was part of the goal keepers union as he seemed to be doing his own session within the warm up.

Re: Boston, they are coming into form and are almost certainly going to reach the play-offs. My understanding from talking to BUFC people is that if they win promotion they will go professional again.

Regardless of what division we are in next season I am sure Crocombe will be 1st choice goalkeeper. However I do believe that Battersby will be developed to eventually become No 1. Crocombe is an improvement on Macca but I think he is really only good enough for League 2 football. If Battersby develops then he could, eventually, be our 1st choice 'keeper for many seasons to come.

Quoted from rancido

Regardless of what division we are in next season I am sure Crocombe will be 1st choice goalkeeper. However I do believe that Battersby will be developed to eventually become No 1. Crocombe is an improvement on Macca but I think he is really only good enough for League 2 football. If Battersby develops then he could, eventually, be our 1st choice 'keeper for many seasons to come.

Not sure Crocombe is the answer. He’s better in the air than Macca, his kicking is awful though and his shot stopping only what you’d expect.

For me, the day Macca threw his toys out the pram was the end of his career at Grimsby.  At a guess I would say every player has been dropped at some time in their career, and not gone straight to the Managers office and asked for a transfer.

Thanks for the last 10 years Macca, but now it's time to move on!

Quoted from 123614

For me, the day Macca threw his toys out the pram was the end of his career at Grimsby.  At a guess I would say every player has been dropped at some time in their career, and not gone straight to the Managers office and asked for a transfer.

Thanks for the last 10 years Macca, but now it's time to move on!

That happened under the ‘management’ of Marcus Bignot, who was an absolute fruit loop. I can’t imagine many people would be happy in their line of work if their boss was acting like a douche bag towards them.

I don’t see anywhere in the narrative that this did for him, anyway. He signed a lucrative 3 year deal and became team captain, rightly or wrongly, after the event. What’s cost him is a distinct loss of form and an increase in error making. That’s why he’s found himself replaced twice in two seasons, not because of his conduct off the pitch.

You don’t always need to read between the lines. Not everything is a conspiracy.  

I think Macca has been a phenomenal servant to the club but Crocombe is better. It's really as simple as that. Macca might be a better shot stopper. But Crocombe is better with his feet, makes less howlers, controls his box better an fundamentally is the all-round better package.

Macca isn't getting better either. Since we got promoted he has frankly being going backwards. I think the Henderson debacle/ill health (was it meningitis?) knocked him. But he isn't the goalkeeper he was the season before we went up when he was brilliant, probably the best goalkeeper in the league.

It might be in the final game of the season if nothing is riding on it he could come on. I suspect he'll get another National League club, but it will depend on whether he wants to uproot his family.

Quoted from horsforthmariner

I think Macca has been a phenomenal servant to the club but Crocombe is better. It's really as simple as that. Macca might be a better shot stopper. But Crocombe is better with his feet, makes less howlers, controls his box better an fundamentally is the all-round better package.

Macca isn't getting better either. Since we got promoted he has frankly being going backwards. I think the Henderson debacle/ill health (was it meningitis?) knocked him. But he isn't the goalkeeper he was the season before we went up when he was brilliant, probably the best goalkeeper in the league.

It might be in the final game of the season if nothing is riding on it he could come on. I suspect he'll get another National League club, but it will depend on whether he wants to uproot his family.

Generally agree apart from Crocombe being better with his feet. He’s awful. Watch the amount of times he kicks it straight down the middle to be meat and drink for NL centre halves or shanks it out of play.

Whether there’s a wider issue or not, the fact nobody is even asking PH the question, especially considering it’s his testimonial season and all that hardly helps quash any rumours.

I like Macca and he’s been decent for us, won us games and kept us in games throughout his time here but to be honest, if you didn’t know Macca existed you’d have thought Crocombe had been our keeper for a while. I don’t think we miss Macca but equally, Crocombe is hardly a Henderson or Coyne…

Fact is he’s been a loyal servant to the club, settled in the area when many others haven’t and been a great ambassador for the club. If, as it seems, that his time here is done - then that is what should be remembered imho.

Wish him all the best for the future, wherever that may be.

Kicking is one of the strongest aspects of Crocombe's game. OK, he's only a bit more accurate than McKeown was, but he's a 5th division goalkeeper, so what can you really expect? The fact is that he generally keeps his goal kicks and clearances in and kicks them 20 yards further than McKeown was capable of. Pushing the opposition further back when they retain or challenge for possession is very important at this level.

Can I just say Macca has been with us 10 years, he's into a testimonial year,how many players in our recent history can say they've given the club that kind of service?..
Yes, we all know he threw a wobbler over the Henderson/Bignot love affair but how do you expect him to react when a manager tells him he won't be playing whilst said manager is in charge!.
The man deserves so much kudos from the town faithful and the local community, so to see him almost fading into the shadows is a little disheartening tbh
We've all seen and known his weaknesses as a keeper, that's never changed in 10 years and I do believe Crocombe is a better all round keeper, do we need/want better still?, I'd say yes.

Quoted from Poojah

That happened under the ‘management’ of Marcus Bignot, who was an absolute fruit loop. I can’t imagine many people would be happy in their line of work if their boss was acting like a douche bag towards them.

I don’t see anywhere in the narrative that this did for him, anyway. He signed a lucrative 3 year deal and became team captain, rightly or wrongly, after the event. What’s cost him is a distinct loss of form and an increase in error making. That’s why he’s found himself replaced twice in two seasons, not because of his conduct off the pitch.

You don’t always need to read between the lines. Not everything is a conspiracy.  

Exactly. The transfer request was more than 5 years ago! (he's signed 2 deals since then) Classic 2+2=73.

Quoted from Northbank Mariner

Can I just say Macca has been with us 10 years, he's into a testimonial year,how many players in our recent history can say they've given the club that kind of service?..
Yes, we all know he threw a wobbler over the Henderson/Bignot love affair but how do you expect him to react when a manager tells him he won't be playing whilst said manager is in charge!.
The man deserves so much kudos from the town faithful and the local community, so to see him almost fading into the shadows is a little disheartening tbh
We've all seen and known his weaknesses as a keeper, that's never changed in 10 years and I do believe Crocombe is a better all round keeper, do we need/want better still?, I'd say yes.

Lol, it wasn't a love affair, Henderson was a much better keeper than Macca, I would think every manager would choose Henderson over Macca!

Paul Hurst didn't!

Tell that to Shrewsbury!

Didn't Bignot also eventually drive Henderson from the club anyway?  

Quoted from Kris2

Didn't Bignot also eventually drive Henderson from the club anyway?  

I thought Bignot threw Henderson under the team bus?