The loneliness of the sub goalkeeper

Michael Kenrick Thursday, 8 March, 2018 8comments | Jump to most recent

In this piece by By Chris Evans for The Set Pieces, Carlo Nash, who watched the 2009 FA Cup final from the Everton bench explains how No 2 keepers deal with not playing.

“I was lucky enough to be part of two cup finals,” says Nash. “I didn't play in either final, but I was on the bench. I did feel part of it, but there's a little point in your head when you think: ‘I wish I was playing.' Although it was great to be part of the occasion. You do get used to that, when there's only one shirt up for grabs, but there's not really much you can do other than prepare right in case you're needed. I always prepared as though I was playing; maybe the guy who's in front of you gets a little bit more work in the warm-up, but I always tried to do the work I needed as if I was starting.”

» Read the full article at The Guardian

Reader Comments (8)

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Michael Kenrick
1 Posted 08/03/2018 at 16:33:38

Wow... Good quiz question: who was the Sub goalkeeper for Everton in the 2009 FA Cup Final? I woulda struggled with that one.

Dave Abrahams
2 Posted 08/03/2018 at 16:59:45

Carlo Nash was at Everton for at least a couple of seasons, how many games did he play? I doubt if it was many.

Frank Wade
3 Posted 08/03/2018 at 17:18:39

Dave, Wikipedia has Carlo down for his only game against Bate Borisov in the Europa Cup in December 2009. Looking through Michael's archives, I see a Skodran Mustafi subbed in for Hibbert that night for his only competitive appearance as well. There was an unused 16-year-old Luke Garbutt on the bench.

Peter Mills
4 Posted 08/03/2018 at 19:49:10

I know Pat Jennings was on the books in 1986 as cover for Bobby Mimms â€“ was he ever on the bench for us?

Keith Harrison
5 Posted 08/03/2018 at 23:34:58

Carlo was actually an Evertonian too. Lived the dream. Almost.

Dennis Stevens
6 Posted 09/03/2018 at 19:40:07

Peter (#4). I think Pat Jennings was sat on the bench for the '86 Cup Final, but in his suit as only one sub was allowed. Didn't they increase the number of subs the following season?

Peter Mills
7 Posted 09/03/2018 at 21:25:36

Dennis, thank you, I couldn't remember when goalies became subs, but I suspect you are right.

I really wanted Pat Jennings to have worn an Everton kit competitively – what a fine goalkeeper and gentleman.

Chris Keher
8 Posted 12/03/2018 at 21:23:54

I seem to remember that another quiz question is who was Everton's most capped player (despite never actually having played for Everton)? Pat Jennings. Now it's Rooney I'm guessing.

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