Macca

Quoted from ginnywings

I'm not really bothered about ex players. They come and go, but obviously some leave more of an impression than others and Macca falls into that category. He's earned a good living for a decade but no one is indispensable.

He's still young for a goalie and he'll get fixed up somewhere, but he surely must have been aware of the possibility that his days were numbered here and has had plenty of time to get his situation sorted. I reckon PH will have let him know in good time that he wasn't going to be retained and he's in a far healthier financial position than a lot of people are.

I wish him well and don't mind who he plays for, as he's no longer a GTFC player.

And he has had a testimonial year as a reward for his long service so he is lucky in that respect. He has been a good servant but has been well rewarded for it and must be in a better position than most players coming to the end of their contract.

He lives locally and has three kids. I suspect he's looking for a local(ish) club because you wouldn't want to be moving across the country, and moving house, with all those costs to bear, plus uprooting your kids and taking them from schools and friends... and losing childcare options from grandparents that may also have moved to live close by...

It suddenly doesn't seem worth it for a 1-year contract (unless he moves alone, lives away and comes back when he can during the week).

Not for me, but maybe something footballers just have to get used to.

Like others have said, I'm sure he'd take something local, even if it's on vastly reduced terms, and use his time to forge a career for when he finally hangs up his gloves.

I wish him well wherever he goes, been a great servant to the club, made some brilliant saves that kept us in games at times, but also dropped some clangers, like all keepers do. Genuine bloke but like most players it became obvious that his time here was up, so despite his comments on Sky, i'm sure he had prepared himself for the outcome at the end of the season. i'm sure he'll be playing for someone next season.

Think your post will help with that Ska  

I find this a surprising story.  Firstly, it must have been apparent for a while that this was likely - I guess he might have hoped for a new contract but it seems odd not to have had some inkling.  Secondly, he seems a sensible guy so he must have knowing the football career would end at some point and made some preparations for it??

Are we not looking for a goal keeping coach ?

Thing I don't quite understand is that keepers tend to reach their peak later than outfield players.

Macca should be at the peak of his powers right now.

Keepers who look after themselves and make smart transfer decisions can continue until they're pushing 40.

It's sad that it feels like his career is winding down but there's absolutely no reason why he can't enjoy a resurgence somewhere — if only he can find a club at this level to take a punt on him.

Quoted from crusty ole pie

Are we not looking for a goal keeping coach ?

Yeh he could teach all our keepers how to catch crosses........oh no hang on.....

Did he have a testimonial match?

Quoted from Tinymariner

Did he have a testimonial match?

Yep!