Goalkeeper Training in Cambridgeshire

Ian Pledger

Ian started playing in goal at an early age and represented his County at EVERY age group from the age of 8 until the age of 16 years old.

Ian impressed that much that Luton Town FC (Then in the old 1st Division) offered him a 3 year contract. Luton Town were one of the first clubs to have Astro Turf down instead of a grass pitch on their home ground. However this was not the quality turf we see today, Ian states it was like concrete painted green.

Three years playing on this surface took its toll on Ian with a couple of nasty injuries with one a severely badly broken leg finishing his Professional career before it really began.

However Ian bounced back, and 20 years on Ian is still playing aged 41 at the time of writing.

Ian has played as Number 1 keeper for some of the biggest semi professional clubs in his area that include, Stamford town, Spalding united, Wisbech town,Soham Town and Corby town.

It was then he retired to become assistant manager at Stamford in the Unibond league, and then followed the manager the following season to become assistant manager at Quorn town also in the unibond league.

Aged 40 Ian was tempted away from management to play again at Soham town in the Zammaretto, so again put on his gloves and continued to enjoy playing with him getting 3 MOM awards in his first 3 games back!

Ian is well known in his area for coaching goalkeepers, he is F.A. Qualified and he believes joining J4K is a positive step forward for him to help his students move onto higher levels. In the last 2 seasons 9 students have gone onto sign at professional clubs.

Ian has also been the head goalkeeping coach at the Samsung Win a pro Contract since it started, devising the trial drills each season.

Ian has built a strong team of local coaches all with ex pro or semi pro experience and they all enjoy watching the local grass roots talent grow in skills and confidence.

Local GK News

by Ian Pledger

• Oundle Goalkeeping residential 2013
  January 4th, 2013
• Ian is coaching in Japan
  January 4th, 2013
• Just4keepers Huntingdon – Warboys Under 9′s in safe hands.
  April 25th, 2012
• Great Penalty Shoot Out!!!!
  April 25th, 2012
• Goalkeeper Residential August 2012 -Oundle nr Peterborough
  April 25th, 2012