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Quoted from topuphere666

Nice bit on sky sports news with Macca following his release, talking about how hard it is for lower league players once released from their clubs.

I hope he gets fitted out soon for next season!

Legend of the club.

I hope he does too, saw a couple of bits on Twitter that suggests he may be struggling to get something decent sorted.

Makes you wonder really what happens to a bloke with 3 kids who’s income stops or is vastly reduced. A large part of professional football bears no relation to what we see on the telly there certainly is a hard edge for a lot of pros.

Anything league 2 and lower could be life changing for a lot of players come July 1st each year.

You’d like to think JM has earnt well with us, and has prepared for the future to a certain extent, but of course, you do live to your means when the money rolls in.

Someone mentioned him doing his PGCE, a teacher salary will be extremely low compared to what he’s been on I’d imagine.

I did wonder if he’ll end up back at Boston part time but on relatively good money for that league.

Quoted from topuphere666

Anything league 2 and lower could be life changing for a lot of players come July 1st each year.

You’d like to think JM has earnt well with us, and has prepared for the future to a certain extent, but of course, you do live to your means when the money rolls in.

Someone mentioned him doing his PGCE, a teacher salary will be extremely low compared to what he’s been on I’d imagine.

I did wonder if he’ll end up back at Boston part time but on relatively good money for that league.

Not just the salary but the workload, accountability, fixed term dates and joining a profession that’s seeing more folk leave than join.

I’d imagine that plenty of footballers have to adapt and I’d guess that however good we think Macca is, the fact he’s not been snapped up yet might suggest different or he’s perhaps waiting for an offer that may not come along. Who knows.

He could definitely play for someone like Boston though and teach, unless they’d want full time commitment.

Just on the footballer to teaches route, it may (or may not) be of interest that former left back Greg Young is a teacher at a school in Doncaster.

Quoted from aldi_01

Not just the salary but the workload, accountability, fixed term dates and joining a profession that’s seeing more folk leave than join.

I’d imagine that plenty of footballers have to adapt and I’d guess that however good we think Macca is, the fact he’s not been snapped up yet might suggest different or he’s perhaps waiting for an offer that may not come along. Who knows.

He could definitely play for someone like Boston though and teach, unless they’d want full time commitment.

In the sky vid, he gives the impression that he didn't follow the teaching path.

Yea, strange. He spoke about not focusing in school and was doing his CV. The only offer he’s had was to train at York

Been one of towns highest earners for the past few years hasn’t he on circa 1700 a week? Surely you’d of squirrelled a bit away should things go pear shaped.

I really hope he gets a club soon, would any Town fans mind if he went to Scunny? I actually want the best for him, regardless of where he plays.

Quoted from Tinymariner

I really hope he gets a club soon, would any Town fans mind if he went to Scunny? I actually want the best for him, regardless of where he plays.

I wouldn't begrudge anyone earning a wage to look after their family.

Quoted from Tinymariner

I really hope he gets a club soon, would any Town fans mind if he went to Scunny? I actually want the best for him, regardless of where he plays.

I think you’ve got a bit of a contradiction in that post.

Quoted from marinerdazza

I think you’ve got a bit of a contradiction in that post.

I was asking if any fans minded if he went to Scunny, I personally wish him all the best and I wouldn't mind if he went there but I know of a few Town fans who wouldn't.
No contradiction there at all really.

Quoted from Tinymariner

I was asking if any fans minded if he went to Scunny, I personally wish him all the best and I wouldn't mind if he went there but I know of a few Town fans who wouldn't.
No contradiction there at all really.

I think he was suggesting that going to Scunny wouldn’t be the best for anyone!

Wouldn’t mind if he went to Scunny at all. Commend him for settling into the area.

Quoted from Heisenberg

I think he was suggesting that going to Scunny wouldn’t be the best for anyone!

;D Ah right, yeah I see your point there, probably doesn't want to get relegated straight down into the Conference North.

Quoted from Heisenberg

I think he was suggesting that going to Scunny wouldn’t be the best for anyone!

Yes, just a joke at the expense of that lot down the road. Nothing more.

Quoted from marinerdazza

Yes, just a joke at the expense of that lot down the road. Nothing more.

Sorry mate, it went straight over my head.

Quoted from Tinymariner

I really hope he gets a club soon, would any Town fans mind if he went to Scunny? I actually want the best for him, regardless of where he plays.

I can’t see many Town fans having a problem with that.
Scunny aren’t liable to be any sort of rival in the near future.
Like most Town fans. I don’t think he is up to our standards any more. But a good servant to the club and I wish him well for the future.

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.

I simply would have learned to catch crosses.

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 ;D

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!

Quoted from crusty ole pie

Are we not looking for a goal keeping coach ?

He's 32!

If the ONLY offer he has received is for a training session at York, then his agent needs sacking. He should have a word with Bogle’s agent, now there’s a bloke earning his keep.

Macca is in a sticky wicket. His main problem is he hasn't played a first team game for over 6 months. On top of this he hasn't even been second choice. Any prospective employer is going to ask: why is a keeper, in the bottom rung of the league, on over a grand a week, not even second choice? Alarm bells will ring.

My Bostonian ITK mate suggests he’s definitely headed to them with us having Dewhurst on loan from Blades for the season.
Seems to work except you’d imagine Blades want him to play a good many games.

Quoted from heppy88

Macca is in a sticky wicket. His main problem is he hasn't played a first team game for over 6 months. On top of this he hasn't even been second choice. Any prospective employer is going to ask: why is a keeper, in the bottom rung of the league, on over a grand a week, not even second choice? Alarm bells will ring.

I wouldn't say he hasn't been second choice. If Max would have gotten injured, i'm 99% sure Macca would have been recalled to start.

We never had a keeper on the bench, Hurst said he brought Battersby along on away trips for experience. No point dragging Macca all around the country away from his family when theres pretty much zero chance of playing.

Quoted from RichMariner

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.

Goalkeeping has moved on in the past decade and those raised expectations have trickled down to our level and below.

You can’t get away with being an excellent shot stopper anymore. You need to be good with your feet and have good distribution.

Certain parts of McKeown’s game are at the same level as when he joined us 11 years ago. And If you stand still you move backwards.

The lack of interest he’s so far had tells you everything.

The expectation has risen but it doesn't mean the standard has to the same level.

Yes all managers at League Two and Conference would love a 'keeper who can keep the ball out but also set-up counter attacks like Allison, but they're very few and far between.

McKeown will have loads of interest and suitors. I don't for a second believe he's only had a nibble from York. Over 400 appearances at the fourth and fifth tier and still only 32, he's a name all managers at this level will be aware of. The standard of goalkeeping at this level is still a bit ropey and McKeown is still better than most, regardless if he's regressed.

The issue, I imagine, will be his location with a lack of willing to move and his previous high wage, which he may feel he can still command. I still expect him to end up as third choice at a League One club somewhere.

Scunny is an obvious move, they have no keepers

Quoted from supertown

Scunny is an obvious move, they have no keepers

Very similar to their chance.

Quoted from supertown

Scunny is an obvious move, they have no keepers

No money either! :K)

Pretty sure he will get a deal somewhere

Quoted from Tinymariner

Sorry mate, it went straight over my head.

Nice to see Tommy Forecast popping in to support a fellow member of the GK Union.

York have just signed goalkeeper Ethan Ross from Stockport - so maybe that door has shut for Macca now.

I hope macca gets sorted with a club I would never begrudge a bloke a living but he will never be a legend in my eyes .. batch coyne Waymen ( sp) Beasant

Apparently Macca has been training at Scunny, got sent a screenshot that came from one of their subscription videos that shows what’s definitely the back of Macca with his gloves on in full training kit. Tried to upload it in here but apparently the file is too big.

Quoted from Gainsbro_Mariner

Apparently Macca has been training at Scunny, got sent a screenshot that came from one of their subscription videos that shows what’s definitely the back of Macca with his gloves on in full training kit. Tried to upload it in here but apparently the file is too big.

Good fit for both parties. Hope he earns a contract.

He’s at York, not Scunny. https://twitter.com/yorkcityfc/status/1542942361868636162?s=21&t=jm2qA5Kf-vz3sxEgeKVJ4g

Quoted from davmariner

He’s at York, not Scunny. https://twitter.com/yorkcityfc/status/1542942361868636162?s=21&t=jm2qA5Kf-vz3sxEgeKVJ4g

The picture I’ve got of him it’s definitely him and definitely in Scunny’s training kit, which is different to that York kit. It was said in his Sky Sports feature today that the only offer he had was a training session with York, so he’s clearly been at both teams.

It’s interesting one I guess. He’s not a bad keeper and the length of service he’s given us will forever be remembered but I’m beginning to think we’ve a very inflated idea of his ability. If he was that good surely someone would’ve offered him a deal by now? Or is it a case or he believes he’s a value and a salary that he’s worth and nobody has matched that yet? In which case, like many of us have over our careers, he may need a rethink or compromise?

Quoted from Gainsbro_Mariner

The picture I’ve got of him it’s definitely him and definitely in Scunny’s training kit, which is different to that York kit. It was said in his Sky Sports feature today that the only offer he had was a training session with York, so he’s clearly been at both teams.

Then show the picture. I don't get what it is with people and talking about something they've seen or heard and never revealing it. ;D

It's plenty plausible that he'll go on trial at a bunch of places so it's not like I'm saying this is a lie it's just boring when people rattle on they have evidence but never show it.

Perhaps he’s been at both, although you’d imagine he won’t e getting a deal at York. Surely, even if scunny offered him £1000 a week it’s better than a pole in the eye with a sharp stick. Better than no job and they’re clearly not queueing up…

Quoted from aldi_01

Perhaps he’s been at both, although you’d imagine he won’t e getting a deal at York. Surely, even if scunny offered him £1000 a week it’s better than a pole in the eye with a sharp stick. Better than no job and they’re clearly not queueing up…

It's a club in the same area so he wouldn't have to move home or have a long commute to get in work, plenty of club legends have later turned up for rival clubs and done alright, the only ones who might throw a tantrum are the fans who think footballers should be fans of the club they play for.

Quoted from Kris2

Then show the picture. I don't get what it is with people and talking about something they've seen or heard and never revealing it. ;D

It's plenty plausible that he'll go on trial at a bunch of places so it's not like I'm saying this is a lie it's just boring when people rattle on they have evidence but never show it.

i think there's a picture on the Scunny fans facebook page which shows macca n whitehouse in a squad running session

the york pic on twitter seems to deffo show macca training with them. Im not clever, nor sober, enough, to do the links

Quoted from Kris2

Then show the picture. I don't get what it is with people and talking about something they've seen or heard and never revealing it. ;D

It's plenty plausible that he'll go on trial at a bunch of places so it's not like I'm saying this is a lie it's just boring when people rattle on they have evidence but never show it.

It’s also boring when people can’t read and I have to repeat my myself, but hey, just for you big man from my initial comment …..I tried to upload it but it tells me the file is too big?

Happy to email it to you, if it will save you getting your undies in a twist ?

Quoted from Gainsbro_Mariner

It’s also boring when people can’t read and I have to repeat my myself, but hey, just for you big man from my initial comment …..I tried to upload it but it tells me the file is too big?

Happy to email it to you, if it will save you getting your undies in a twist ?

God you sound like a right sharp object, not even worth the effort. Let us know when you figure out how to use modern technology to upload a file somewhere and embed it.

Quoted from Kris2

God you sound like a right sharp object, not even worth the effort. Let us know when you figure out how to use modern technology to upload a file somewhere and embed it.

Not even worth the effort, but still replied. 😉 i sound like a sharp object? and this coming from someone who got all menstrual over a picture. Any other insecurities you want to air, or are we done here ? 😂

Quoted from Kris2

It's a club in the same area so he wouldn't have to move home or have a long commute to get in work, plenty of club legends have later turned up for rival clubs and done alright, the only ones who might throw a tantrum are the fans who think footballers should be fans of the club they play for.

Alan Hodgkinson, famous long serving Sheffield United and England goalkeeper, served as a goalkeeping coach at Sheffield Wednesday for a while. Whilst coaching at Oxford United he worked with a first year pro called...........Max Crocombe.

Factoid of the day?

I remember some years ago that Paul Groves left us to become Scunny's saviour and almost single-handedly helped them retain their Football League status. Perhaps McKeown will be Scunny's saviour this coming season to stop them being relegated to the National League North?

Quoted from Maringer

I remember some years ago that Paul Groves left us to become Scunny's saviour and almost single-handedly helped them retain their Football League status. Perhaps McKeown will be Scunny's saviour this coming season to stop them being relegated to the National League North?

There was a time where Scunny used to pick up our scraps on a what felt like a yearly basis, either veterans or youngsters

Like you said Paul Groves…also Craig Shakespeare, Tony Ford, Paul Harsley, Jimmy Neil, Jamie Forrester, Michael Jeffrey, Ashley Fickling, Rob Taylor just to name a few who all went their upon being released by Town.

and of course for a while it came back the other way… Terry Barwick, Peter Beagrie…etc

Given Scunny’s current situation I don’t think many will begrudge Macca a move down the road if he gets a contract.

Quoted from Gainsbro_Mariner

Apparently Macca has been training at Scunny, got sent a screenshot that came from one of their subscription videos that shows what’s definitely the back of Macca with his gloves on in full training kit. Tried to upload it in here but apparently the file is too big.

Tony Gallimore nicked my Pint and my sausage roll

Doesn't T Gallimores son play for Scunny?
Hope he drinks less :) ;D

Quoted from GrimPol

Tony Gallimore nicked my Pint and my sausage roll

Doesn't T Gallimores son play for Scunny?
Hope he drinks less :) ;D

He does 🤣

Dan Gallimore, think they’ve tied him down to a new contract as well.

Quoted from forza ivano

i think there's a picture on the Scunny fans facebook page which shows macca n whitehouse in a squad running session

the york pic on twitter seems to deffo show macca training with them. Im not clever, nor sober, enough, to do the links

I've seen that photo, Whitehouse and Joe Bunney are in it. Macca is not.

Quoted from bax

I've seen that photo, Whitehouse and Joe Bunney are in it. Macca is not.

sorry, should have been clearer ,theres another photo with 3 or 4 keepers in a coaching session ,and the gent with his back to the camera looks remarkably like macca

If we didn't get promoted and scunny were an actual promotion rival I'd feel slightly differently but I think this is a good move for him. Although it did get me thinking, will scunny remain full time once the parachute payments have stopped?

Quoted from scott

If we didn't get promoted and scunny were an actual promotion rival I'd feel slightly differently but I think this is a good move for him. Although it did get me thinking, will scunny remain full time once the parachute payments have stopped?

I would imagine so. Most teams in the National League are full time now.

Quoted from ginnywings

I would imagine so. Most teams in the National League are full time now.

If they can keep to their avg attendance (2,781 in 2021-22 down from 3,546 in 2019-20 over 19 games) then they may have a chance, but as we know in Tier 5 a Taxi load of away fans come, and that's it. Their finances are shakey, they don't own their stadium, and their squad buildup is slow (similar to GTFC of few years back) , they NEED their fanbase to back them.
Their strategy must be to keep up, as looking at their squad they are mostly young uns with a few goldie-oldies. It's not a promo-team, more of a "let's-hang-on" team.
I think a few on this site will be studying the Mariners form in detail, the first few weeks of the season, as well as Scunny's.
Only 4 weeks to go

Quoted from GrimPol

If they can keep to their avg attendance (2,781 in 2021-22 down from 3,546 in 2019-20 over 19 games) then they may have a chance, but as we know in Tier 5 a Taxi load of away fans come, and that's it. Their finances are shakey, they don't own their stadium, and their squad buildup is slow (similar to GTFC of few years back) , they NEED their fanbase to back them.
Their strategy must be to keep up, as looking at their squad they are mostly young uns with a few goldie-oldies. It's not a promo-team, more of a "let's-hang-on" team.
I think a few on this site will be studying the Mariners form in detail, the first few weeks of the season, as well as Scunny's.
Only 4 weeks to go

I agree, they don't really look like a club trying to rebuild. They look like a club hanging on.

Quoted from Gainsbro_Mariner

He does 🤣

Dan Gallimore, think they’ve tied him down to a new contract as well.

If he's half the player of his Dad, he'll do a good job in the National League.

Quoted from Kris2

God you sound like a right sharp object, not even worth the effort. Let us know when you figure out how to use modern technology to upload a file somewhere and embed it.

Not all of us older generation are confident/proficient with modern technology,your comment is offensive/bullying.

Scunny just lost to Middlesbrough u23 . No Macca so I'm guessing he isn't at Scunny

Just been round to see my stepson and our 3 week old ganddaughter.

Out of the blue, and inbetween conversations he said to me "Towns ex keeper is busy, isnt he?" I looked at him blankly (the usual expression) and he said "Ive driven past and seen him the last 2 days helping someone lay a block paving drive in Scartho"

Well, that'll keep him fit for sure!

Quoted from WayneBurnettsJockstrap

Just been round to see my stepson and our 3 week old ganddaughter.

Out of the blue, and inbetween conversations he said to me "Towns ex keeper is busy, isnt he?" I looked at him blankly (the usual expression) and he said "Ive driven past and seen him the last 2 days helping someone lay a block paving drive in Scartho"

Well, that'll keep him fit for sure!

Well he doesn't have to reach up to lay block paving😉

I know many will disagree, but unless PH has another keeper in mind, i dont know why they didnt offer terms to Macca as a back up to Max, particularly as the sub situation would now allow for a keeper on the bench.
Perhaps Macca didnt want to accept that, or maybe there has been a fall out between the management and him, but with no disrespect to young Battersby, i dont think he is ready to step up in an emergency, a more experienced back up is needed IMO.

Completely respect the red crosses, i knew  it would divide opinion, can i ask the red crossers whether it was the Macca bit you dont
agree with, or my point on young Battersby?
Imagine a scenario next Saturday on our first game back in the EFL that Max pulls a hamstring in the warm up , would you feel confident of a result with a totally unproven, totally inexperienced  Keeper between the sticks?
In no way am i trying to insult the talents of Battersby, he may well turn into a great keeper in time, but is now  the time, should an injury occur?
Having said all this i suppose we have to leave it to PH ,after all he hasnt done too bad has he?

Quoted from petethemariner

I know many will disagree, but unless PH has another keeper in mind, i dont know why they didnt offer terms to Macca as a back up to Max, particularly as the sub situation would now allow for a keeper on the bench.
Perhaps Macca didnt want to accept that, or maybe there has been a fall out between the management and him, but with no disrespect to young Battersby, i dont think he is ready to step up in an emergency, a more experienced back up is needed IMO.

I think a keeper who has played almost 500 games for us who probably has ambitions to play another 150-200 games at a decent standard is not going to be the kind of character to have around when the manager feels they aren't good enough to play regularly anymore.

At 35/36, it's probably much easier to retain an ever present keeper as an understudy.

That's no criticism of McKeown but I think too much has gone on that makes keeping him at Town as anything other than first choice is not good for anyone.

Over the last few years McKeowns level has fallen. He was second choice in the Conference, and I can’t imagine one of our highest earners wanting to earn a much reduced salary at a club where he was once one of the highest, and being a firm second or third choice at a club where he was once first. Best for all parties to part ways.

We can get an emergency loan at any point and it would only be one game so personally I don't see any issue with running with Battersby as No.2.

I can see the rationale for another keeper if we had a season long loan sorted out for Battersby at say NLN level, but not simply to push him off the bench for an incident that rarely happens.

All fair points, but should  the scenario i laid out happen next Saturday, woulkd you be more confident of  Macca or Battersby  between the sticks? Has the opinion of Macca dropped that low?
On the subject of  last minute loans, it takes time for a keeper to know his defence and they to know him, sometimes it works (Beasant) and sometimes it goes disasterously wrong (Forecast)
I  know there is almost zero chance of Macca playing for us again Im OK with that, i was trying to raise the point that we need experienced back up in our first vital season back in the EFL.
But its all about opinions, i respect that i am not neccessarily right.

Unless Macca is pricing himself out of a deal somewhere, I am at a genuine loss as to why he hasn't got fixed up yet. Especially given that, in my opinion, he anticipated a parting of the ways mid season, so has had a much longer period of time to get sorted. Puzzling.

Quoted from smokey111

Unless Macca is pricing himself out of a deal somewhere, I am at a genuine loss as to why he hasn't got fixed up yet. Especially given that, in my opinion, he anticipated a parting of the ways mid season, so has had a much longer period of time to get sorted. Puzzling.

I’d imagine he’s probably got a price in his head which is higher than what clubs are seemingly wanting to pay. Perhaps he’s waiting for a club to get desperate?

Quoted from petethemariner

Completely respect the red crosses, i knew  it would divide opinion, can i ask the red crossers whether it was the Macca bit you dont
agree with, or my point on young Battersby?
Imagine a scenario next Saturday on our first game back in the EFL that Max pulls a hamstring in the warm up , would you feel confident of a result with a totally unproven, totally inexperienced  Keeper between the sticks?
In no way am i trying to insult the talents of Battersby, he may well turn into a great keeper in time, but is now  the time, should an injury occur?
Having said all this i suppose we have to leave it to PH ,after all he hasnt done too bad has he?

I think we will sign another senior keeper anyway. Maybe even someone who will push Crocombe into second place. I don't agree that Macca should be kept on as I think we can and should do better. His time here has been and gone.

We are allowed a squad of 22 players, which doesn't include players under 21 at the start of the calendar year or goalkeepers, so we will almost certainly sign another one and probably send Battersby out on loan.

If we haven't got another one by the start of the season, then Battersby can be on the bench just in case Crocombe gets injured.

Someone said on here a while back that you have to have three keepers on the books anyway, but I'm not sure if that is true and can't find anywhere that states this.

ffs, Macca is in the past, rely on Battersby as back up, Max is a great keeper and miles better than Macca, get over the 10 years, yes he was good, and hes been paid off, no good having feelings for the guy, we move on, Macca has a plan and now money, get over it and move on ffs

Quoted from petethemariner

Completely respect the red crosses, i knew  it would divide opinion, can i ask the red crossers whether it was the Macca bit you dont
agree with, or my point on young Battersby?
Imagine a scenario next Saturday on our first game back in the EFL that Max pulls a hamstring in the warm up , would you feel confident of a result with a totally unproven, totally inexperienced  Keeper between the sticks?
In no way am i trying to insult the talents of Battersby, he may well turn into a great keeper in time, but is now  the time, should an injury occur?
Having said all this i suppose we have to leave it to PH ,after all he hasnt done too bad has he?

Keepers need to be thrown in eventually, and they either sink or swim. You can’t give them 10 mins here and 15 there when we’re 2 up. At some point in their career, EVERY keeper has been a young, untested rookie but either through circumstance or a supportive manager have found themselves becoming a regular. Battersby might get sent out on loan again, but eventually there’ll be a day he’s called upon and he needs to grasp the opportunity.

If McKeown had only been here for say the last 2 years, like most other players, would anyone really want him keeping on? Honestly can’t remember a good performance from him in the last 2 years. We can’t have him lingering on in the background forever. If not a single other manager in the entire football league or conference wants to take a punt on him, why should we?

Whoah there Dicko, no need for the ffs, we were having a reasonable discussion, i am not a member of the Macca fan club, he has been great for us, poor in the last season and a half (along with many others) my entire point in all of this is that in our first season back in the EFL we need experienced GK cover in case Max gets injured/loss of form, not short term maybe they work ,maybe they dont loans.

Quoted from aldi_01

I’d imagine he’s probably got a price in his head which is higher than what clubs are seemingly wanting to pay. Perhaps he’s waiting for a club to get desperate?

That's agents for you! He's in that tough situation now where if he goes too low to get games, he might never get back to the level he thinks he should be at. I think it's been obvious to everyone since Christmas that his release was inevitable so him and his agent should have been proactive.

Quoted from ginnywings

Someone said on here a while back that you have to have three keepers on the books anyway, but I'm not sure if that is true and can't find anywhere that states this.

I'm sure this is a myth because I've searched high and low for it but not found anything about it. The rules on registration that I saw just say keepers aren't part of the 22 and until Battersby plays 5 league and cup games (excluding the trophy) we can get an emergency loan.

Quoted from petethemariner

Whoah there Dicko, no need for the ffs, we were having a reasonable discussion, i am not a member of the Macca fan club, he has been great for us, poor in the last season and a half (along with many others) my entire point in all of this is that in our first season back in the EFL we need experienced GK cover in case Max gets injured/loss of form, not short term maybe they work ,maybe they dont loans.

I think we will certainly get that cover Pete. I expect Hurst will bring in an experienced keeper who is around the mid 30s to act as cover, but also support for Max. Probably someone who has just finished a stint in such a role at a L1/2 club. Having Macca here on vastly reduced terms wouldn't be good for anyone. His ego would be bruised, and to be blunt, I think we can now do better. Would imagine this number 2 will be here midweek and Battersby shipped off to conference North until Christmas. Just my opinion.