The blueprint is there for young keepers

On Non-League Day, it is worth remembering there has been a steady stream of youngsters learning the ropes at that level.

For instance, former keeper Dean Henderson first impressed with Stockport County and relationships have been struck with a number of different clubs.

Sonny Aljofree, Maxi Oyedele and Joe Hugill all spent time with Altrincham in 2023. Last year, Sam Murray and Sam Mather joined Rochdale.

Under-21s goalkeeping coach Tommy Lee has explained how the loan system can be of benefit to everybody involved.

"We want the young lads on work-experience loans because we want them to experience a different type of football," said Lee, who played 373 times for Chesterfield, during his career. "We want to find out if they can play to a game-plan, which might be different to the one we'd ask them to play to in the Academy, with the Under-18s and Under-21s. It all builds into the repertoire of who can handle the pressure in senior football.

"That is also what non-league loans can do for goalkeepers specifically because, more broadly speaking, I think three of the four goalkeepers in the England squad currently started their careers in non-league."

Jordan Pickford represented Darlington and Alfreton Town, Henderson (currently with Crystal Palace), as already mentioned, started on his senior path with Stockport, and Aaron Ramsdale cut his teeth at Worksop Town.

"The blueprint is there," reasoned Lee. "If you can get senior football early into these lads, the progression becomes easier because they have got it on the CV. So the next one becomes a little bit easier, a little bit better. And there is the snowball effect and, hopefully, they can maximise their potential of where they deserve to get to."

The experience gained by both Elyh Harrison and Dermot Mee at that level is worth emphasising, with both keepers on the bench of late, and the fitness doubt over Andre Onana at Leicester City, last time out, bringing even more attention their way. 

Harrison enjoyed a positive stint with Chester in the first part of 2024/25, while Mee has previously played for the likes of Altrincham, Trafford, Runcorn Linnets and Witton Albion.

"I think, where Elyh is concerned, he was at a stage probably in his development where he needed that senior experience," explained Lee, who started his career as a keeper in United's Academy. "Especially for the goalkeepers, I think the non-league system provides opportunities because it's difficult to get keepers out on loan in the league. The National League and the National League North provide a different opportunity, a different challenge.

"In Elyh's case, it was the challenge he needed at that time. He was playing really well for the Under-21s but needed a different challenge and perhaps it was more psychological and social as well. Going to Chester, a really well-run football club, as far as I can tell, and working for a manager [Calum McIntyre] who was formerly at the club and a really good manager, and Neil [Ebbrell], the goalkeeping coach, who knows the game. So it was a really good one to start his senior career off, if you like.

"It's a different kind of pressure. We can provide a challenge in the Academy system but to go to a senior team, like I say, their manager isn't necessarily focused on development. He needs to win games. There is perceived pressure of making a mistake and maybe not playing the game after. There is playing in front of a crowd, dealing when the atmosphere can get a bit tense and it's something we can't provide in Academy football.

"From the social side of things, I think that was a really big one for him as well," added Lee. "Being able to cope in a senior dressing room and also perform. Their team-mates just want a goalkeeper who is going to help them win on a Saturday. And that brings its own challenge as well.

"I think the one thing we've probably noticed in this specific case was he was more assertive after a period of time and, when we reviewed games with him and he did his analysis with the first team, he was definitely a lot more assertive and more confident in himself, when talking about the game. You know that's just a little thing but it will be really important as Elyh progresses through and gets to where we think his talent can take him."

Mee, now 22, has had his loan spells in the past too, from an early age, and the policy is continuing at United.

"This season, Tom Wooster has been to Farsley, Tom Myles has been to Runcorn Linnets. They're going to really good football people who understand the game and can offer an opportunity and a chance for these lads to develop, which is invaluable to us.

"I think what people probably don't realise is where we're sending these goalkeepers. You know Antony Kay at Runcorn Linnets had almost 1,000 games in the Football League and his feedback was excellent. Chester and Farsley are the same. These are really good football people. They understand the game and can offer an opportunity and a chance for these lads to develop, which is invaluable for us.

"The record here is good and our job is to continue that. Our ultimate aim is to try to help give an opportunity to a goalkeeper to reach and play for our first team. But, if we can't achieve that, we want to help goalkeepers have professional careers up and down the league - from the Premier League to the non-league."