Goalkeeping Coach pens new contract at Banks's Stadium...
THE SADDLERS’ Goalkeeping Coach, Neil Cutler, has put pen-to-paper on a new two and-a-half year deal, which, like Dean Smith and Richard O’Kelly, takes him through to the end of the 2015/16 season.The 37 year-old arrived at Banks’s Stadium during the summer and has gone on to become an integral part of the backroom staff.
“I am delighted that the Gaffer sees me as part of the bigger picture here,” he said. “I have never been at a club that is so well-organised and geared towards the development of players.
“The ethics of the club match my own and it’s a real boost that the Gaffer has the faith in me to do the job well.
“I have really developed both as a coach and as a person since I have been here; it is an environment that is extremely professional and one in which you are able to express your ideas and thoughts and learn from each other.
“My remit covers all of the goalkeepers attached to the club and it’s a big project. We are putting procedures and standards in place that are improving all of the time and you only have to look at Richard O’Donnell, who has gone from strength-to-strength this season, to see that it is already starting to work and bear fruit for the club.
“It’s a long-term thing and I want to continue working hard and building on the foundations that have already been put in place.
“I am as hungry and determined to learn and improve as the players and the drive and enthusiasm of the Gaffer and Richard O’Kelly can only help me in this objective.”
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.