New Goalkeeping Coach checks in...
WALSALL FC has today appointed Neil Cutler as Goalkeeping Coach.The 36 year-old replaces the long-serving Mick Kearns who announced his retirement earlier this week.
Cutler is a local lad whose playing career began with West Bromwich Albion. During his time at The Hawthorns he was loaned out to Coventry and Chester City before joining Crewe Alexandra without playing a first-team game for The Baggies.
A further loan spell at Chester City came during his time with The Alex and he eventually made a permanent switch to the club.
His next move took him to Aston Villa in October 1999 where he acted as cover and made one substitute appearance, whilst also serving Oxford United on loan.
Joining Stoke City in the summer of 2001, he helped the club secure promotion via the play-offs and then the following season, he played an influential role as Swansea City avoided relegation out of The Football League during a loan spell with the Welsh outfit.
His playing career ended with spells at Stockport County and then Rotherham United where injury brought a premature end to his playing days.
Becoming Goalkeeping Coach at Bury, he then followed manager, Alan Knill, to Scunthorpe United in March 2011 before leaving the club at the end of last season.
“We are well aware of Neil’s ability as a goalkeeping coach,” said manager, Dean Smith. “He comes here with a good reputation and as someone who is based locally, it is a perfect fit for him and the club.
“He is keen to work with all of the ‘keepers at every level throughout the club and is extremely forward-thinking and enthusiastic about the role.
“He’s a welcome addition to the backroom staff here and I look forward to working with him.”
Cutler himself is relishing his new role. “I’m delighted to be here,” he said. “I have had a good, long chat with Dean Smith and I am happy to be joining a club that is going places.
“Dean is a top young manager and Richard O’Kelly is a great coach, so I can only learn from them.
“I am always striving to improve and get better; I’m young and hungry and have lots of ideas on how I want my goalkeepers to be.
“I’ll be implementing those ideas from Academy level right to the top and I want to produce some good goalkeepers for this club.
“It’s an extremely important position and the club will be taking its time to ensure that we bring the right people in.”