Safe Hands

[footyfan]

PAUL Crichton has helped groom a future England goalkeeper and could now become responsible for the careers of Bootham Crescent's young shot stoppers.

The Minstermen trialist has spent the last three seasons as the elder rival for the Norwich City goalkeeper jersey with England international Robert Green.

Crichton, 35, believes Green will jump in front of David James, Paul Robinson and Ian Walker to become his country's number one next season and he has now expressed an interest in helping the development of City's goalkeeping talent.

The former Grimsby, West Brom and Doncaster goalkeeper is being considered for a player-coach role by Chris Brass and he admits he would be attracted by that possibility after his work with Green at Carrow Road.

Crichton said: "Greeny's not bad and I believe he will be England's number one within six months. He's that good.

"For me, at this stage of my career, I want to play as long as I can but obviously I have got one eye on coaching as well. I have just done all my badges in the summer and if there's some coaching and I can play as well then, hopefully, it would work well.

"I am just here to train for now and, if I do well, then the gaffer might want to do something. My agent has spoken to other people, as the gaffer knows.

"I am concentrating on getting fit and have come up and met a few people I have not seen for a while. If I am involved in some of the friendly games, I will try my best.

"There's a possibility I could come and, if the gaffer thinks I am worth a contract, then so be it."

Crichton has also been impressed by the quality of squad Brass has assembled at Bootham Crescent this summer.

Many of the signings are former Crichton team-mates from his Burnley and Grimsby days and he also shared a dressing room with Brass at Turf Moor.

The well-travelled keeper added: "I think Chris Brass was unfortunate last year with what happened after a marvellous start. I don't know whether it was because of money matters but I know he was disappointed that he failed to keep them up.

"Now, however, he's getting a good squad together. I know six or seven of the lads who have been tried and tested and the rest of the team look a good set.

"I know Steve Davis, Lee Nogan has scored against me a few times and I used to play with Paul Robinson and Paul Groves at Grimsby. I'm sure the gaffer feels he can bounce back with those lads."

Crichton admitted that he was slightly disappointed to be released at the end of last season as Norwich returned to the Premiership but points out that he would have no problem dropping into the Conference.

The veteran of 471 League and Cup appearances has also said he would like to carry on playing for at least another five years.

He said: "It was a little bit disappointing leaving Norwich but, being 35, I knew it was coming and was told at Christmas I was not being kept on. I still enjoyed getting promotion, though, even if I didn't play a game and thoroughly enjoyed going to the Millennium Stadium with the club.

"I wish them all the best because I had three good years of my career there. Now, as well as coaching, I would like to be at least 40 before I retire from playing. Dave Beasant was 44 when he finished so I will keep going as long as I can."
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