James McKeown

Would be nice for James to get a run out on Sunday.

Quoted from bawarmy

Would be nice for James to get a run out on Sunday.

Would be a great send off in his testimonial season but I doubt Hurst will play him.

No idea what's gone on so it is what it is.  

No room for sentiment on the pitch. It's a league game and we could still finish 5th and earn a home tie.

Quoted from fishboyUTM

No room for sentiment on the pitch. It's a league game and we could still finish 5th and earn a home tie.

I think there is room for sentiment here. Our goal difference is 8 worse than Notts and we aren’t playing Scunthorpe.

Was dissapointing to not see macca on the pitch after the game tonight. Would like to know whats happened

Quoted from bawarmy

I think there is room for sentiment here. Our goal difference is 8 worse than Notts and we aren’t playing Scunthorpe.

It's 6, but I get your point.

Quoted from Hagrid

Was dissapointing to not see macca on the pitch after the game tonight. Would like to know whats happened

The whole squad minus McKeown, Scannell and Raikhy I think. Raikhy isn't ours, Scannell is probably laid in a hospital bed after his op but McKeown not being present is disappointing.

Quoted from RonMariner

It's 6, but I get your point.

It’s my eyesight, not my maths

Quoted from bawarmy

I think there is room for sentiment here. Our goal difference is 8 worse than Notts and we aren’t playing Scunthorpe.

I think there would be room for sentiment if he were on the pitch with the rest of the squad after the game. I think his absence speaks volumes.

Hadn't realised that he wasn't there at all, that is disappointing. Yeah had hoped he would appear one more time for us at Eastleigh, he deserves it and it would protect crocombe who I thought had a fine game again.

I think it’s more likely Battersby will get a start than giving McKeown a sympathy appearance.

Something has gone on and it’s been the unasked question since…perhaps he feels hard done to so didn’t go, perhaps he’s been staying away (I’m sure he’s been at games though) but you’d have fancied him limping round the pitch to the few that were left in what is the last home game, and with the possibility of only two more games left…

May be he’s taken his bat and ball home. Who knows….it’s a sad end but I don’t think it’s just a case of Hurst dropping him because he had a couple of excrement games…

Quoted from aldi_01

Something has gone on and it’s been the unasked question since…perhaps he feels hard done to so didn’t go, perhaps he’s been staying away (I’m sure he’s been at games though) but you’d have fancied him limping round the pitch to the few that were left in what is the last home game, and with the possibility of only two more games left…

May be he’s taken his bat and ball home. Who knows….it’s a sad end but I don’t think it’s just a case of Hurst dropping him because he had a couple of excrement games…

He's been at games throughout this dropped period but in recent weeks it's been Battersby in the warm up and McKeown hasn't been sat with players or staff in the Main Stand.

Quoted from jamesgtfc

He's been at games throughout this dropped period but in recent weeks it's been Battersby in the warm up and McKeown hasn't been sat with players or staff in the Main Stand.

Yeh, I’ve seen him at games but as you say, that’s dried up…like I say, May be he’s just taken his bat and ball home and just stopped going or he’s busy doing something else…

Really disappointing end to his time here but football can be a harsh game. Think Hurst needs to play whichever keeper at Eastleigh he would call upon if something happens to Crocombe during the play offs. Battersby or Mckeown both need a match if they could be called upon.

If he does that I’d expect Battersby to get the nod, it’s clear Macca won’t play again. It’s apparent and has been discussed multiple times that it’s not just footballing reasons why he’s been out for so long.

Macca will be remembered as a good servant for the club and was part of a good season and will still be appreciated around the town and so forth but in truth, he’s already been forgotten. We’re in the playoffs and should we be successful, Crocombe will be part of that…not Macca.

I expect a new keeper entirely next season anyway…

Quoted from aldi_01

Yeh, I’ve seen him at games but as you say, that’s dried up…like I say, May be he’s just taken his bat and ball home and just stopped going or he’s busy doing something else…

Selling carpets for GCW.

Quoted from LH

Selling carpets for GCW.

I've heard he's doing security at tescos now he's got bigger muscles 😉

Off on a tangent - but what has happened to Sam Russell?
I H gave him a 3 year contract - until the end of next season.

Quoted from Heswall Mariner

Off on a tangent - but what has happened to Sam Russell?
I H gave him a 3 year contract - until the end of next season.

Still goalkeeper coach and in the Manager of the Month photo with the rest of the management team.

Saw Macca in Home Bargains today. Times are hard lol

Lots of assumptions and lazy connections in this thread.

Big fan of Macca , and think he’s a nice and decent bloke , who’s done his bit for the community and made the town his home … disappointed for him , but all
Good things  do come to an end , would have liked to have seen a ‘
Nicer ‘ end if that’s possible but we needed an upgrade and injury did affect his form
..and think we should have seen him there Tuesday . I don’t think any of us can have a bad word to say about him , 10 years service is unheard of these days .. will he stay in some coaching capacity , or seek pastures knew ? i for on wish him
Nothing but the best and thank you ..

Quoted from goldenfish

Big fan of Macca , and think he’s a nice and decent bloke , who’s done his bit for the community and made the town his home … disappointed for him , but all
Good things  do come to an end , would have liked to have seen a ‘
Nicer ‘ end if that’s possible but we needed an upgrade and injury did affect his form
..and think we should have seen him there Tuesday . I don’t think any of us can have a bad word to say about him , 10 years service is unheard of these days .. will he stay in some coaching capacity , or seek pastures knew ? i for on wish him
Nothing but the best and thank you ..

*11 years

Well he's put it to bed on twitter, he was on a UEFA training course, booked long before the rearranged BW home game...no conspiracy theory...

Quoted from Northbank Mariner

Well he's put it to bed on twitter, he was on a UEFA training course, booked long before the rearranged BW home game...no conspiracy theory...

Beat me to it.

My question is though, if he was first choice would he have had to play and not be at the training course? 🤔

Town fans are famously fickle. James has done nothing but good for this club since he arrived. A fantastic servant and he's stayed through thick and thin even when times have been tough and he's had offers on the table from above us. It's time we showed him the same sort of loyalty and faith. On his day, his shot stopping ability is up there with some of the best keepers in the country. Yes, he has his flaws technically, but so does every player that has ever set foot on the pitch at BP.

Hopefully he is given the option to stay and fight for his place - admittedly on reduced terms, or if he wants the money, none of us could hold anything again him for going elsewhere. Football isn't s young man's game and everyone has to look out for their family's best interest first and foremost.

Football is a harsh game and very few players go a career without a spell on the sidelines - Max came in and did well , there's been no reason to drop him on recent form so it's only fair. Having someone of Jame's pedigree on the bench is a great blessing for any manager, and one can only hope we'll get to see him stay and fight for a place - which with the form he is capable of, I'm sure he could.

Well done to his wife for stepping in and squashing the rumours - it's been needed for a while and I think I speak for all town fans in apologising for the minority that somehow see it fit to spread rumours and slanderous comments.

Let's hope James gets a run out on Sunday - if anything were to happen to Max in the lead up to/during the playoffs, we need a man to rely on and James is sure as hell that man!

Let's get behind the squad for the playoffs and give them ALL the support they deserve. UTM

Quoted from jaf243

Town fans are famously fickle. James has done nothing but good for this club since he arrived. A fantastic servant and he's stayed through thick and thin even when times have been tough and he's had offers on the table from above us. It's time we showed him the same sort of loyalty and faith. On his day, his shot stopping ability is up there with some of the best keepers in the country. Yes, he has his flaws technically, but so does every player that has ever set foot on the pitch at BP.

Absolutely insane statement.

The man’s had 10 years of loyalty and support from the fans, and been paid handsomely by the club for his services. This is well-covered ground but he’s been no.1 under every manager he’s played for, for a decade, bar a short spell or two where he’s dropped form or we’ve had England players on the bench. THAT’S faith, especially for a player who’s made so many notable mistakes.

Between him and Crocombe there must be £3-£3.5k in wages every week, with a good chunk of that not even in the squad on a Saturday. Could we do better spending that on someone from a division or two above and keeping Battersby as no.2?

Quoted from jaf243

On his day, his shot stopping ability is up there with some of the best keepers in the country.

That just simply isn't true. He is/was a good shot stopper but to say a player that has played non-league for most of his career is as good as the best keepers in the country in ANY aspect is ridiculous.

Quoted from jaf243

Town fans are famously fickle. James has done nothing but good for this club since he arrived. A fantastic servant and he's stayed through thick and thin even when times have been tough and he's had offers on the table from above us. It's time we showed him the same sort of loyalty and faith. On his day, his shot stopping ability is up there with some of the best keepers in the country. Yes, he has his flaws technically, but so does every player that has ever set foot on the pitch at BP.

Hopefully he is given the option to stay and fight for his place - admittedly on reduced terms, or if he wants the money, none of us could hold anything again him for going elsewhere. Football isn't s young man's game and everyone has to look out for their family's best interest first and foremost.

Football is a harsh game and very few players go a career without a spell on the sidelines - Max came in and did well , there's been no reason to drop him on recent form so it's only fair. Having someone of Jame's pedigree on the bench is a great blessing for any manager, and one can only hope we'll get to see him stay and fight for a place - which with the form he is capable of, I'm sure he could.

Well done to his wife for stepping in and squashing the rumours - it's been needed for a while and I think I speak for all town fans in apologising for the minority that somehow see it fit to spread rumours and slanderous comments.

Let's hope James gets a run out on Sunday - if anything were to happen to Max in the lead up to/during the playoffs, we need a man to rely on and James is sure as hell that man!

Let's get behind the squad for the playoffs and give them ALL the support they deserve. UTM

I saw your comments on Facebook and, whilst I agree with your sentiments regarding his family and privacy, your comments regarding his ability are for the birds.

He happens to have been a decent player at a club at its' lowest ebb and you may not have watched Town for as long as me but I'm old enough to have seen Wainman, Turner, Batch, Sherwood, Coyne, Beasant, Davison, Crichton and Mildenhall, all of whom were better keepers than James.

That's not to say I don't respect him as a decent keeper at the level we're at but he's far from indispensible and has some serious flaws in his technique which have never improved and he's made a pretty good living for himself given the amount of time he's spent in non league football.

Quoted from MuddyWaters

I saw your comments on Facebook and, whilst I agree with your sentiments regarding his family and privacy, your comments regarding his ability are for the birds.

He happens to have been a decent player at a club at its' lowest ebb and you may not have watched Town for as long as me but I'm old enough to have seen Wainman, Turner, Batch, Sherwood, Coyne, Beasant, Davison, Crichton and Mildenhall, all of whom were better keepers than James.

That's not to say I don't respect him as a decent keeper at the level we're at but he's far from indispensible and has some serious flaws in his technique which have never improved and he's made a pretty good living for himself given the amount of time he's spent in non league football.

You missed out Alan Barnett and Charlie Wright both of whom weregood keepers.

Crocombe's quick distribution and long raking kicks for the likes of McAtee, Souza and Fox to chase, whilst quickly turning defenders, certainly changes how the goalie position is being assessed this season.

McKeown has always been a decent shot stopper, but has tended to wander out of the area much too far, and then looks awkward when re-adjusting his position for opponent quick attacks.

I can see Hurst looking higher for a permanent 1st team replacement, with Crocombe fighting for a squad place.

Where's the next Henderson going to spring out from?

I hope that James McKeown finds either another club, or a suitable dual goalie / training role.

Still a loyal servant for ten + years, so respect to him for not shouting the odds in public !!

Quoted from acko338

Where's the next Henderson going to spring out from?

Who knows? The last two have been excellent.

Club are pretty much in the same spot as when he joined.

He’s not in the top 3 keepers in my time supporting town and we have been sh!t basically the whole time, and he’s been number 1 half of those years.

....... Waiting for the obligatory mention of Tommy Forecast in a thread about goalkeepers.....

Quoted from jaygy

....... Waiting for the obligatory mention of Tommy Forecast in a thread about goalkeepers.....

Er, you’ve just done that 😬

Quoted from jaygy

....... Waiting for the obligatory mention of Tommy Forecast in a thread about goalkeepers.....

Calling him a goalkeeper is a bit kind, closer to a really large peg than anything else. Speaking of which, still looking for any footage of his inept performance against Crewe, the highlights seem to have been deleted from existence except for my memories of it. A description of it still here though. https://www.crewechronicle.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/crewe-alex-grimsby-town-0-5620419

Quoted from Kris2

Calling him a goalkeeper is a bit kind, closer to a really large peg than anything else. Speaking of which, still looking for any footage of his inept performance against Crewe, the highlights seem to have been deleted from existence except for my memories of it. A description of it still here though. https://www.crewechronicle.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/crewe-alex-grimsby-town-0-5620419

https://mobile.twitter.com/onthisGTFCday/status/1426780548731703296

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At least I've finally got to see Joel Grant play at BP.

Quoted from ska face

https://mobile.twitter.com/onthisGTFCday/status/1426780548731703296

L

What was he doing for that first goal  

Quoted from Kris2

What was he doing for that first goal  

Second was pretty ropey too, getting caught in no man’s land