The Big Interview with former York City goalkeeper Dean Kiely (From York Press)

The Big Interview with former York City goalkeeper Dean Kiely

11:31am Wednesday 16th June 2010 in

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A new role awaits former York City goalkeeper Dean Kiely, as he outlines to TONY KELLY preparations for a new campaign in the Premier League at the age of 39.

FOR two decades Dean Kiely has occupied prime-time in the prime position – number one, numero uno, the last man standing.

As a fledgling goalkeeper with York City, where he was accorded his Football League baptism in 1991, through to equally illustrious stints between the posts at Bury, Charlton, Portsmouth and West Brom, plus ten caps for the Republic of Ireland and a place in the 2002 World Cup squad in Japan, he has stood alert, agile and active in one of football’s principal roles.

Though some attackers may disagree, the goalkeeping slot vies with the man who actually dispatches the ball into the onion bag, as the most pivotal position on a football thrilling field.

If you have any doubts just look at the cast-list of former famous goalkeepers – philosopher Albert Camus, Pope John Paul III and controversial author Vladimir Nabokov. Che Guevara, dynamic revolutionary force in winning the freedom of Cuba, wore the gloves and green jersey.

Esteemed film director Wim Wenders even contributed with a feature film: “The Goalkeeper’s Fear Of The Penalty” in 1971. Not that Kiely was ever fearful of a spot-kick as City fans can testify by recalling his play-off final shoot-out heroics at Wembley in 1993.

Now as Kiely prepares for his 20th full season as a professional shot-stopper and his current club West Brom steel themselves for another assault on the Premier League – domestic football’s foremost competition – he has another primary function.

Given an extra year on his contract as goalkeeping coach with the Baggies, part of Kiely’s close-season remit is to help to identify who should be the understudy to current West Brom number one Scott Carson.

That’s not to mean Kiely intends to hang up his well-worn gloves. He is determined to keep on reminding Carson and whoever is anointed as the new number two at the Hawthorns that, should there be any slip-ups, the ex-City hero of Wembley is primed to grab top-flight action with both capable hands.

Kiely, who will celebrate his 40th birthday in October, is aware his coaching ability will likely be more to the fore at West Brom, who gained promotion under the leadership of former Chelsea ace Roberto di Matteo behind Coca-Cola League champions Newcastle United.

But the fire and desire to test himself against the best in the most competitive domestic league in the world burns still.

He said: “Scotty (Carson) is the number one and the club are now looking for a number two and I am involved in that process, which is interesting for me as it is the other side of the coin to what I am used to.

“But I am not done yet as a player. A bit of competition always makes things interesting and Scotty and the new ’keeper will know I am about.”

That will be excellent news for di Matteo, whose offer of an extra year as goalkeeping coach was accepted by Kiely, originally given the role by the Italian’s predecessor Tony Mowbray.

“I still want to play and make a contribution, but if I am not playing then I have the responsibility of getting Scotty Carson, and whoever comes in, right so they can perform well in the Premier League,” said Salford-born Kiely, whose 20-year career totals more than 750 senior league and cup games.

“When I started out I never had a wish to be a coach. You are flat to the boards playing a season at a time to see if you can establish yourself.

“Just as a player, it’s not just selfishness, but more a focus on looking after yourself and your own game. But now I have to be concentrated on making sure the other ’keepers in my charge are at their best for the benefit of the club.

“For me, a ’keeper has to be confident, reliable and dependable and also have the character to play to the highest standard,” added the man who was originally on West Brom’s books as a junior, as he was briefly at Coventry before a loan move to Bootham Crescent led to a permanent deal with the Minstermen.

Four days after being given his City start by then manager John Bird against Bury in the Freight Rover Trophy in January 1991, Kiely made his League bow against Hartlepool at Bootham Crescent.

By the start of the next season he had displaced Chris Marples as City’s number one. In all he played 239 games for City between 1991 and 1995, his place in club legend sealed by that penalty save to confirm a memorable promotion in the club’s debut at Wembley in 1993, and a season later by equalling a then club record of 20 clean sheets.

While he went on to earn greater recognition and rewards at his next four clubs, Kiely has never forgotten how his apprenticeship at Bootham Crescent provided the bedrock for his subsequent top-flight career to span two decades.

“My long-term goal was to play at the highest possible level and to try to play for as long as possible. When I was 30 years old I wanted to still be playing when I was 40 and I have achieved that,” said Kiely.

“I am very pleased that I have achieved promotions through all the divisions and it is my apprenticeship at York City that stood me in good stead.

“Playing at York, and Bury, gave me the tools with which to cope with proving myself in all the divisions and finally going on to the Premier League.

“I know I can say I have had a career of longevity because of what I learned as a youngster at York. I will always be indebted to York City.”