Vale Martyn Crook
I would like to pay respects to a former Socceroo goalkeeper who died suddenly just last week (5.12.08). I remember Martyn Crook as a dynamic and gifted goalkeeeper. I saw him play on numerous occasions for West Adelaide in the old National Soccer League. Unfortunately I cannot find a photo of him in action to post. As a boy I had his picture on my wall making a great flying save. He was identifiable by a thick mane of blonde curly hair.
Crook migrated to Australia as a child with his family settling in Adelaide. He played 192 games for West Adelaide SC as goalkeeper and made 14 appearances for the Australian national team.
He was appointed Head Coach of the South Australian Sports Institute men's football program in 1994, was assistant coach with the Australia national under-17 football team (known as the 'Joeys') from 2001 and named Head Coach in 2007. He was an inductee of the South Australian Football Hall of Fame.
He died of a suspected heart attack just before the team was scheduled to play the USA in an international junior tournament. He was 52.
Earlier News...
North Coast Football Goalkeeping Program
The 2008 season is now well underway. The NCF Goalkeeping Program has experienced a cracking couple of months. Over 30 local goalkeepers participated in the various off season programs showing great dedication and skill. As at the time of writing I have visited 5 local clubs and I will be continuing that service throughout the season for senior, junior, male & female keepers.
I am finding that great benefit is gained when coaches or assistant coaches attend my sessions with their keepers. This allows them to run the same types of drills in between my visits. 'Practice makes permanent' so you've just gotta keep working on your game to keep those beady-eyed little strikers at bay.
Big ups to Terry Allen & Jason Hiller who can probably claim NCF goalkeeping Program Assistant Coach status by now. They must be sick of hearing me say 'shoulders forward', 'thumbs together', 'attack the ball', 'no chopping', 'stay low' blah, blah, blah... Actually I think we could do with some new action shots for this page, bit sick of looking at myself. After all the NCF Goalkeeping Program is about YOU, keepers, other players, coaches, mums & dads. So please get those non-stop-keeper-action photos to me at: keepercurley@westnet.com.au
Oh yeah, if you are wondering, this cracking tune you are listening to is the Big Match Theme 1974, from the BBC I think. Great childhood memories, I'm sure those of you of my vintage will agree.
Special mention to 16 year old Jim Fogarty, formerly of Urunga. Jim has just moved to Newcastle to take up his NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS) scholarship. This gets Jim closer to the action in terms of National Selection opportunities and A-League opportunities. Jim now trains with the Newcastle Jets (training with Ante Covic as well as Jets keeper coach ex-Kiwi international Clint Gosling has done wonders for Jim's game). He also trains under Sydney FC keeper coach, the great Jim Fraser, who rates young Jim very highly. Thanks for the memories Jimbo you don't need me anymore. Just get me tickets to the 2015 Champions League Final when you are playing for Spurs. (I am a Spurs supporter, I am joking, please don't start rumours of an impending contract)
Jim is a wonderful talent who has risen through the North Coast Football Junior Development Program. We have not heard the last of him.
Special mention also to Kelly Archibald who plays with the Urunga Raiders Women's First Grade Team. Kelly has again been selected to represent Northern NSW at the National Titles in Coffs Harbour in July.
The Tigers' Brad Cruikshanks, Sawtell's Brendan Thorp & Urunga's Raffe Brennan also deserve a mention for breaking into their clubs first grade teams at an average age of about 16 and a half. Stitty from the Bombers & Josh Wiseman from the Lions ensure that the average age of first grade goalkeepers must be below 20 years of age. Go boys.