James McKeown

Is he still at Clee Town. I notice he's not been playing for them this season or been on the bench.

Been on holiday I think til last weekend?

Still at Clee I believe

was on the bench in the Fa cup game recently.

From arguably one of the best goalkeepers in League Two, to warming the bench at Cleethorpes Town. A staggering decline.

Quoted from jimgtfc

From arguably one of the best goalkeepers in League Two, to warming the bench at Cleethorpes Town. A staggering decline.

Crazy to think he was being looked at league 1 Teams and above few seasons ago when he lost his head and banged a transfer request in. I agree with the decline tho I still thought a national league Team close to home or god forbid even a conference north team maybe. Just goes to show how quick your career can decline in football

Yeah so what ? Scott Vernon is a scaff on the refinery from playing for Aberdeen , decline happens to them all, fair play he still wants to be involved.

No matter was brill in his prime , wish him luck no matter what

I think the bigger question is what really happened…granted, once Crocombe was as brought into the first team we never looked back but Macca just seemingly disappeared and the question was never asked.

From a long term servant and decent player to nothing, was pretty quick. Nobody denying they all have to drop down and eventually give up but seemed to happen quite quick to Macca…

Quoted from aldi_01

I think the bigger question is what really happened…granted, once Crocombe was as brought into the first team we never looked back but Macca just seemingly disappeared and the question was never asked.

From a long term servant and decent player to nothing, was pretty quick. Nobody denying they all have to drop down and eventually give up but seemed to happen quite quick to Macca…

Showed his character when hendo turned up imo red x away

Quoted from dapperz fun pub

Showed his character when hendo turned up imo red x away

Didn’t he do that a couple of times during his time here?

We’ve had plenty of better keepers at this level- Mildenhall, W Henderson, D Henderson, Crocombe and Eastwood off the top of my head. He was a good keeper at conference level, but no more than average in the fourth tier.

Very surprised that he didn’t get a Conference or North/ South club, but you just don’t know players circumstances as to whether they are willing to uproot the family, especially if it’s only for a one year contract, and the money isn’t that great.

The other Clee keeper did look top notch in the friendly against town pre season tbh

Quoted from aldi_01

I think the bigger question is what really happened…granted, once Crocombe was as brought into the first team we never looked back but Macca just seemingly disappeared and the question was never asked.

From a long term servant and decent player to nothing, was pretty quick. Nobody denying they all have to drop down and eventually give up but seemed to happen quite quick to Macca…

He's got a bad back injury apparently which may explain his rapid decline. He's been dropped by Clee because Leigh Overton (ex Town youth player) deserves the shirt.

Him and Overton were both on holiday at the same time the other week, so Declyn Dennis (released by Town in the summer) played a couple of games for them.

By all accounts, he hasn't endeared himself well with the Clee regulars.

Looking at it from the other side, being a Goalkeeper is a pretty hard job when you're a free agent because most teams already have 1 or 2, so when you're looking for work you can quickly realise that the 6 or 7 potential teams within a decent driving radius are already sorted in that department.

When he was released I seem to remember most of the local teams already had keepers signed on, I am aware he trained a little with Scunthorpe but for whatever reason they brought that young lad in from Sheffield United instead and that was that.

He is clearly settled in the area so it was very doubtful that he was going to up route his family so when the chance came for him to go to Ireland when he moved to Finn Harps it was only on a short term deal and didn't involve taking his wife and kids.

I am pretty sure Cleethorpes was the right move for him although I have no doubt he's still capable of playing in higher divisions, I think he has a job outside of football now doesn't he? So Cleethorpes is probably the inevitable winding down of his career, he is 34 now so no spring chicken and probably has an eye on what's next in life rather than attempting to get back to a higher standard of football.

Quoted from jamesgtfc

He's got a bad back injury apparently which may explain his rapid decline. He's been dropped by Clee because Leigh Overton (ex Town youth player) deserves the shirt.

Him and Overton were both on holiday at the same time the other week, so Declyn Dennis (released by Town in the summer) played a couple of games for them.

By all accounts, he hasn't endeared himself well with the Clee regulars.

I know he’s got the on going back injury which I suspect didn’t help his chances of getting a conference club, I’d imagine he probably wanted too much wage wise too.

Do Clee Town still do that thing where they bring in ex pros and put them straight into the squad then? I can see their point but surely it’s not good for morale or the lads who’ve been working hard week in week out to be bumped for an aging ex pro…

Quoted from aldi_01

I know he’s got the on going back injury which I suspect didn’t help his chances of getting a conference club, I’d imagine he probably wanted too much wage wise too.

Do Clee Town still do that thing where they bring in ex pros and put them straight into the squad then? I can see their point but surely it’s not good for morale or the lads who’ve been working hard week in week out to be bumped for an aging ex pro…

Loads of lower league clubs use ex-pros who have settled in their locality. It’s certainly not a ‘Cleethorpes thing’.

Quoted from MuddyWaters

Loads of lower league clubs use ex-pros who have settled in their locality. It’s certainly not a ‘Cleethorpes thing’.

I know it’s not a Cleethorpes thing but my point still stands and as we saw pre season, the lad they had was arguably better, and probably doesn’t have a back injury…

Quoted from aldi_01

I know it’s not a Cleethorpes thing but my point still stands and as we saw pre season, the lad they had was arguably better, and probably doesn’t have a back injury…

But he’s ex Town too!

Quoted from aldi_01

I know he’s got the on going back injury which I suspect didn’t help his chances of getting a conference club, I’d imagine he probably wanted too much wage wise too.

Do Clee Town still do that thing where they bring in ex pros and put them straight into the squad then? I can see their point but surely it’s not good for morale or the lads who’ve been working hard week in week out to be bumped for an aging ex pro…

Yes, they had a really good keeper who was very popular with the fans, signed McKeown on a Friday who confessed to not touching a football since leaving Finn Harps 8 weeks ago and put him in the starting lineup the next day. By Monday, their keeper was gone and McKeown went on to let in a few howlers.

People are saying he's on quite a bit of money with half paid by a sponsor that expects him to play. Overton isn't having howlers, is pulling off some good saves and distributes far better than McKeown ever has.

I've been told that McKeown has turned up to games, sulked with a coffee and abruptly left at full time when he's not playing.

Quoted from jamesgtfc

Yes, they had a really good keeper who was very popular with the fans, signed McKeown on a Friday who confessed to not touching a football since leaving Finn Harps 8 weeks ago and put him in the starting lineup the next day. By Monday, their keeper was gone and McKeown went on to let in a few howlers.

People are saying he's on quite a bit of money with half paid by a sponsor that expects him to play. Overton isn't having howlers, is pulling off some good saves and distributes far better than McKeown ever has.

I've been told that McKeown has turned up to games, sulked with a coffee and abruptly left at full time when he's not playing.

Kudos to the Clee managers if that’s true. He seems to think he’s above a selection process.

Quoted from dapperz fun pub

Showed his character when hendo turned up imo red x away

This.

Seems to have been left out in the cold after being dropped and by some reports had a bit of a falling out with Hurst and Doig so they'd rather bring the youth keeper to get some experience travelling with the squad than deal with him moping about.

Seems like his attitude has not improved despite falling down the leagues and carries himself like a guy who knows his career is coming to an end and doesn't care anymore about fighting for his place or if he's not playing. Was once an essential part of the squad after winning his place from experienced keeper Kenny Arthur but seems to have lost his mind once managers started bringing in reserve keepers to challenge for the #1 shirt. Wanted to leave after being dropped for Henderson and the latter's performances making him popular with the fans. Got his spot back when Henderson left and when challenged again by Eastwood who came in on loan after being dropped he lost his mind again and began acting out. Almost did leave a couple of times and came close to a move to Scotland but the Mrs didn't want to uproot the kids away from the area and all their friends while still in school.

After Hurst left originally and he wasn't favoured anymore he really lost his head. Maybe when they came back he felt comfortable as Pearson came back in who is another player Hurst and McKeown both like and probably felt he'd be guaranteed his place and fell out with everybody when he saw he wasn't after some poor performances.

Considering how quickly Hurst has proved to be at getting rid of anyone with an iota of an attitude, I find it very interesting that there's a suggestion that McKeown has/had one.

He just regressed.  Injuries, lack of form/confidence, lack of interest or motivation...it happens to every single player at some point in there career, in the case of McKeown it just happened relatively early for a goalkeeper.  Mainstay under Hurst first time round, but wasn't the same player in 2021.  Hurst rightly brought in Eastwood and then Crocombe to replace him.  

Yeah, he had a bit of a strop when he lost his place to Henderson but intercourse me, he's only human.  I have a sulk most days when things don't go my way.  I can imagine that Bignot handled it with his usual tactful approach too...  I also don't mind players not liking it when they lose their place, same as when they get subbed off and storm down the tunnel in a rage.  I want them to be drunk off rather than accepting it.  

He was a great servant for us. He did well by us and we did well by him.  Can we leave it at that?

Quoted from diehardmariner

Considering how quickly Hurst has proved to be at getting rid of anyone with an iota of an attitude, I find it very interesting that there's a suggestion that McKeown has/had one.

He just regressed.  Injuries, lack of form/confidence, lack of interest or motivation...it happens to every single player at some point in there career, in the case of McKeown it just happened relatively early for a goalkeeper.  Mainstay under Hurst first time round, but wasn't the same player in 2021.  Hurst rightly brought in Eastwood and then Crocombe to replace him.  

Yeah, he had a bit of a strop when he lost his place to Henderson but intercourse me, he's only human.  I have a sulk most days when things don't go my way.  I can imagine that Bignot handled it with his usual tactful approach too...  I also don't mind players not liking it when they lose their place, same as when they get subbed off and storm down the tunnel in a rage.  I want them to be drunk off rather than accepting it.  

He was a great servant for us. He did well by us and we did well by him.  Can we leave it at that?

Great post

Quoted from diehardmariner

Considering how quickly Hurst has proved to be at getting rid of anyone with an iota of an attitude, I find it very interesting that there's a suggestion that McKeown has/had one.

He just regressed.  Injuries, lack of form/confidence, lack of interest or motivation...it happens to every single player at some point in there career, in the case of McKeown it just happened relatively early for a goalkeeper.  Mainstay under Hurst first time round, but wasn't the same player in 2021.  Hurst rightly brought in Eastwood and then Crocombe to replace him.  

Yeah, he had a bit of a strop when he lost his place to Henderson but intercourse me, he's only human.  I have a sulk most days when things don't go my way.  I can imagine that Bignot handled it with his usual tactful approach too...  I also don't mind players not liking it when they lose their place, same as when they get subbed off and storm down the tunnel in a rage.  I want them to be drunk off rather than accepting it.  

He was a great servant for us. He did well by us and we did well by him.  Can we leave it at that?

Absolutely true. I'm not ordinarily and wouldn't ever claim to be an 'ITK' poster, but on this one occasion I know 100% that this was the source of frustration/annoyance. The fine details may be a little fuzzy but if I remember rightly, McKeown found out he was dropped by social media or an interview. It wasn't that Henderson was given the shirt, it was how Bignot didn't talk to him about it, explain his decision, give feedback on what he needed to improve or even simply that it was going to happen. He found out via the same channels the fans do. Whatever the specific details were, I know the broad part was Bignots handling of it and that's why he wanted out - the manager, not the situation.

McKeown wasn't the only player frustrated by Bignot. As I remember it, Pearson and Disley were also disillusioned and confused by what he was doing. I don't think he looked after the senior/experienced pros well.

Those three in particular, at the time, were proper Grimsby players. They'd all joined in the same summer, and had been together for 5+ years (which is decent going at NL/L2 level).

Bignot played Gunning over Pearson, loaned some guy off Brum over Dis, and dropped McKeown for Henderson. I'm pretty sure those three must have been knocking on Bignot's door, then Fenty's door, wondering what the hell was going on.

Remember, we won at Blackpool and Bignot still got sacked. He'll say he was experimenting but I don't think any of the senior pros were on board with it, and coupled with Slade's availability, maybe that's why Fenty acted.

Quoted from RichMariner

McKeown wasn't the only player frustrated by Bignot. As I remember it, Pearson and Disley were also disillusioned and confused by what he was doing. I don't think he looked after the senior/experienced pros well.

Those three in particular, at the time, were proper Grimsby players. They'd all joined in the same summer, and had been together for 5+ years (which is decent going at NL/L2 level).

Bignot played Gunning over Pearson, loaned some guy off Brum over Dis, and dropped McKeown for Henderson. I'm pretty sure those three must have been knocking on Bignot's door, then Fenty's door, wondering what the hell was going on.

Remember, we won at Blackpool and Bignot still got sacked. He'll say he was experimenting but I don't think any of the senior pros were on board with it, and coupled with Slade's availability, maybe that's why Fenty acted.

Henderson was always going to get picked over Macca. different class.

Quoted from RichMariner

McKeown wasn't the only player frustrated by Bignot. As I remember it, Pearson and Disley were also disillusioned and confused by what he was doing. I don't think he looked after the senior/experienced pros well.

Those three in particular, at the time, were proper Grimsby players. They'd all joined in the same summer, and had been together for 5+ years (which is decent going at NL/L2 level).

Bignot played Gunning over Pearson, loaned some guy off Brum over Dis, and dropped McKeown for Henderson. I'm pretty sure those three must have been knocking on Bignot's door, then Fenty's door, wondering what the hell was going on.

Remember, we won at Blackpool and Bignot still got sacked. He'll say he was experimenting but I don't think any of the senior pros were on board with it, and coupled with Slade's availability, maybe that's why Fenty acted.

In fairness, it was Hurst who didn't favour Pearson that season. Bignot brought him into the side in December I think and SP was excellent I thought and stayed in the team for the majority of the season. Bignot actually used Gunning in that holding midfield role for some strange reason.

And can't really blame him for replacing McKeown with Henderson can we. Henderson was streets above anything at this level, and probably the two levels above.

You're right in that he probably didn't manage the senior pros of the dressing room in the right way, but I don't particularly blame him for the selection/non-selection of those 3 mentioned.

If anything, you have to wonder why Hurst didn't play Henderson who was apparently absolutely brilliant in training too. Henderson was first choice for Hurst at L1 Shrewsbury the following season. Hurst is more more ruthless in that regard this time around.

I do agree that Bignot didn't handle the situation well at all though.

Quoted from 123614

Henderson was always going to get picked over Macca. different class.

Took 4 months to get in the team tbf.