James Cope, the author of Grassroots Goalies The Dos, Donts and Drills

My Goalkeeping Journey and why Ive felt the need to write this book.

Where it all began

It was 1999 and I had finally discovered by love for football, much to my dads
relief. He was a big Man United fan so I followed suit. It also helped that they
were the best team in the country that season and then later champions of
Europe as well. My main reason however for following them like so many other
keepers at the time was because of the Great Dane they had in between the
sticks. He made saves most could only dream of making and the dominance of
his box was unquestionably the best (still) I had ever seen. I wanted to do that, I
wanted to be the guy stopping the ball going in the back of the net whilst the
players at the other end got all the glory. I was quite happy with that as I was
relatively introverted as a child and didnt take compliments well so being a
goalkeeper was certainly the best place for me.

I remember my first training session on a warm April evening at Portishead Show

Field with one of the local clubs Portishead Juniors. I had attended the other local
teams session first but didnt go back as I didnt know anyone (The shyness in
my youth was the one thing I hated about myself!). I told the Portishead Juniors
manager Alan that I wanted to have a go in goal. He looked at me unsure. I was
dressed in the most 90s goalkeeper top you could imagine, bright colours, crazy
patterns and enough to out off any advancing striker. My gloves looked as though
they would be better used for gardening and my boots were these Mizuno
monstrosities that were a tad big for me. But Alan gave me a chance and that
was all I needed, I made several stops during the training session but it was my
willingness to just chuck myself head first at the strikers feet that Alan liked. He
said youre in the team for Backwell away on Sunday. 10.30am kick off.

Sunday arrived and Ive never been more nervous. I kept telling myself it was
only a game but until youve played it, you know its more than that. The
pressure (Id put on myself) was immense. The game started, Backwell were 2 nd
in the league and one of the top teams around. I dont even know where we were
but it was certain we were vast underdogs. At Halftime it was 2-1 to Backwell.
The goals conceded were your standard 7-a-side ping pong efforts. Nothing could
be done, although I continued to question that for the next week. As the second
half kicked off, thats when I came into my own. The nerves had gone, we were
2-1 down expected to lose, no pressure now. They crossed one from the right and
their central midfielder half volleyed one to my left from 10 yards. Backwell
parents were already shouting YEEEEEE..... but somehow I got there. Half way
up to my left, right inside the post I parried it round to safety. Some experts will
say it was a good height for the keeper but Ill say try making a save like that at
point blank in your first ever game in goal. This was the first time I made a save
where the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. The disbelief in parents and
players faces was better than any cheering.
I played for Portishead for another season and a half. We were a decent 7-a-side
team. Weston Crusaders were the best team at our age group and we often
played them in finals of tournaments. We matched them for the best part but
they always found a way of beating us. Usually 1-0, almost always in extra time.
My Goalkeeping continued to progress, although I never had any specific training
at this age but my dad like most others would spend countless hours down the
local playing fields smashing footballs at me and I worked out what worked best
for me. I also watched my Peter Schmeichel video religiously before every game
just to get my mind set right.

11-a-side was much more of a struggle for Portishead. We couldnt cope with the
extra width and managing to scrape together a bare 11 for most games. We got
relegated in my final season there. We did manage to beat top of the league
Nailsea United 3-2 at home. A huge achievement as they hadnt lost until then
that season. On a personal note this was a great season for me as each game I
was tested, and would always think about how many goals it could of been
rather than how many I had conceded. I was making top saves each game and
was noticed by Bristol City who then invited me up for a trial at their training
ground at the time, Clifton College.
The Trial

It was the summer of 2000 (I cant remember which month but it was a warm
one!) and the day of my trial. The day was to last 10am-3pm and was a chance
to train with 12 other hopefuls (including one other keeper a Welsh lad called,
Ashley). My taxi for the next 8 years (I mean my mum) and I left our house in
Portishead at 9am, plenty of time to get to Clifton College (a 15 minute drive). Or
so we thought. An accident about a mile away from the training ground left us
stuck in the car with just 15 minutes to get there. I couldnt be late. This was my
chance. I couldnt miss it and I dare not turn up late! My mum parked the car on
the kerb and we ran. About half a mile away from the ground the traffic cleared
but we only had 3 minutes to get there. My mum flagged down a bus and quickly
explained the situation to the driver, he said to get on even though my mum
didnt have any change and dropped us outside the entrance. Its little things like
this that shape our future. Thank god for that bus driver.

Once at the ground I was shown to the changing room. Tthe trialists were sat one
side with the signed academy players on the other. The Academy players kept
looking over to us, making quips about how we were wannabes and how they
would destroy us later when we played against them. We of course all sat in
silence, nervous and scared to speak back to the cream of the crop of Bristol.

We were eventually summoned by the coaches to the astro turf where we trained
for the morning. Nothing GK specific just outfield stuff, needless to say I was
average at best. We sat and had lunch, still not sure what to expect from the
afternoon, constantly in our minds wondering what the coaches thought of us.

The afternoon was just to be one match. Academy vs Trialists. Ashley played in
goal for the first half, and I was gutted for him when he missed a cross and one
of the Academy boys tapped it home. At the same time I thought this was my
opportunity to shine. It was 2-0 at Half Time and the Academy lads had been
dominant (as expected). The second half began and the nerves faded.
Particularly after a one on one save against a lad I recognised from playing
against when I was at Portishead. The ball was played through and out I came,
hands first, head tucked in and slid through the ball, taking the attacker out
(fairly). Belief suddenly was breathed into me. I wouldnt be here if people didnt
believe in me. I made 2 point blank saves during the remainder of the half and
only conceded one after the centre back had slipped on the edge of the box. The
overall score was 3-1 (1-1 in my half).

The end of the trial arrived and I was relieved just too of got through the day
without making any howlers and overall giving a decent account of myself.

The day after the trial my mum received a call from the club asking if I could go
and play in an academy tournament that coming Saturday. It was being held at
Englands training ground at the time Bisham Abbey.

I will never forget playing against the like of Chelsea, QPR, Fulham & Charlton on
that Saturday. Again giving a good account of myself I also remember thinking
that the opposing keepers werent any better than I was. I could compete at this
level.

That following week I officially signed for Bristol City Academy aged 10 and my
dreams of being a professional footballer were one step closer.
 Bristol City Academy & Youth Team 2000-2008

Im not going to write about every last detail and experience I had with Bristol
City as it would fill too much of the book. What I will say looking back is how
grateful I am to Bristol City for firstly recognising my potential and then giving
me the best coaching I could ask for. The experiences also speak for themselves,
playing against the likes of Chelsea, West Ham, Tottenham, Southampton
amongst many other teams at their training grounds, seeing some of the first
team players up close (Thierry Henry was a personal highlight!). These are things
Ill never forget. The best match Ive ever played in was against Arsenal when I
was a 12 year old and beating them 2-1. Some of the saves I made during that
game stiff baffle me. I also experienced what it was like to lose and to have well
a bit of a shocker to put it bluntly. Crystal Palace at home when I was 11. 6-1 up
with 20 minutes to play, and we lost 7-6. I conceded a penalty for their winning
goal and remember the floods of tears I was in at the end of the game. I wanted
to quit that day but its all about recovery and as a keeper your backbone must
be bigger than anyone elses. After a chat with my dad I was ready to go again at
training on Monday, it wasnt so bad after all. I continued to progress with expert
GK training at City, firstly with GK coach Tim Malessa and then Alex Penny. Both
were excellent coaches and treated each keeper with respect and was always
there for you if needed. I learnt so much of what I do today from them.

At 16 I was told I was going to be signed as a scholar having impressed my

manager at the time the vastly experienced and knowledgeable, Pete Amos. I
remember in the last half of my under 16 season one of the City scouts brought
in a 6ft bearded giant who had just been released by West Ham and had an
England Schoolboy cap. I managed to see him off so my confidence was sky
high. I was however warned that if my height didnt increase them the chances
of making it professionally were very slim. With this in mind my parents insisted I
continue at Gordano School doing my A levels so that I had some Education if
and when I was released. I would go to school in the morning and train with the
team in the afternoon. Because I went to a separate school to the other players I
was classed as a Schoolboy and not a Scholar but that only really meant that I
wasnt allowed to be paid to play which turned out to be a small sacrifice.

Unfortunately for me I didnt grow and remained at 5ft10 and a (dont forget
the ). I also managed to sustain a nasty hand injury falling through my front
door when in a rush to go back and grab my mobile phone before school. This
happened in my last year with City so not the best timing. I had to have 48
stitches in my right hand 30 on the outside and 18 to stitch tendons and
ligaments back together. After 9 months out when I went back I was so far off the
pace. City had also just signed a Hungarian Keepers called Balash who was built
like a tank and was 6ft 4. I knew this was the end for me at City. I still managed
to train with the first team keepers on occasion (never forget when Adriano
Basso gave me a pair of his gloves) and again the coaching from GK coach Stuart
Naylor was invaluable. I also managed to attain my FA Level 2 coaching badge
which started my coaching journey off.
I was told I was to be released by City in April 2018. At this point however I didnt
seem too bothered. Should I of been or maybe I signed too young? Maybe
football had become too much of a chore as the buzz had gone. In some ways it
was a relief, although at the same time I was anxious. What would I do now?
Football is all I had known, its all I had ever thought about being. I had achieved
A levels in English Language, PE and AS levels in Media & Critical thinking but
didnt really enjoy any of them (even PE became a drag as it was more than just
the playing sport side of things). What would I do next? I was panicking.

University of Gloucestershire

After having very little time to plan my next move I opted to attend a Sports
Coaching Foundation degree at the University of Gloucestershire. To cut a long
story short, it wasnt for me. I was sick of the 100 miles there and back every day
which for an 18 year old is torture. I also wanted to do football specific coaching
which we hardly ever did and the amount of coursework was ridiculous
particularly when it was about sports I didnt care about! I managed to endure
the first year but stopped halfway through the second. In hindsight I probably
should of finished the course but I had already started coaching in Bristol Schools
after a call from BCFC Academy coach Raphael Burke who runs his own
successful football coaching business within Bristol & their Schools. Raph helped
me hugely with my coaching journey and made me fall in love with football
again. This time teaching the youth of tomorrow rather than playing myself.

First Coaching Experiences at the start of J4K

I first started coaching for Raph in late 2008. I only did 2 after school clubs at the
start. One at Southville Primary and one in Longwell Green. I loved it. Being in
control of the session, seeing the kids progress week by week. I couldnt help but
feel I needed more knowledge about coaching kids so I went on my age
appropriate course which helped massively (it was the FA equivalent to Youth
Modules then).By March 2009 I was doing sessions every week day for Raph
including after School and Lunchtime clubs. I was loving it more and more but
also thought I could offer more, particularly when it came to coaching
goalkeepers as this after all was my speciality. I had spent 8 years at BCFC
academy having the best GK coaching in the area available. Couldnt I pass on
my knowledge to young keepers?

I then remember meeting with Bristol City GK coach Ali Hines whilst I was
shadowing a couple of coaches doing the Foundation Phase at Bristol City
Academy. He told me about Just4Keepers and asked if Id be interested. He also
said that he would do it if he wasnt so busy at City. I did as much research as I
could about J4K and I loved what I read. This is what I wanted to do but was I
experienced enough?

I rang J4K founder Ray Newland about purchasing the franchise for Bristol &
Surrounding Areas and because of my age of 19 was sceptical at first. My dad
then rang Ray and managed to persuade him to give me a chance and said that
my family was fully behind me and would support me all the way.

My dad and I went to Liverpool to meet with Ray who told me about his playing
career and how it was cut short at a young age. He then told me about how
bitter he became going from pro footballer to packing blood. It wasnt until 2
young lads knocked on his door and asked him to coach them. Initially he said
no but it was with his wifes encouragement that he eventually agreed and his
sessions grew and grew and eventually became his livelihood. Back in love with
Goalkeeping once again! 17 Years later J4K is the biggest GK School in the world
and I am privileged to be a part of it.
J4K Bristol & Surrounding Areas

I signed the franchise agreement on 26th June 2009 and started my sessions in
July. The first session was held on Wednesdays at my former school, Gordano. We
started with 2 keepers, but I didnt mind. I was doing what I loved. The session
gradually grew mainly through word of mouth and we had 7 by the end of the
year. I was also working part time at a local cafe in a leisure centre to financially
support myself. I then started a session in Weston-Super-Mare. We started with 3
and by mid 2010 had 8 in weekly attendance. I was slowly getting there.

At the end of 2011 I had a positive meeting with Keynsham Town FC and I started
coaching there in January of the following year. They actively encouraged their
keepers to attend (some are still with me now) and they helped promote the
sessions to neighbouring clubs. This was the session where I thought this is it,
this is finally the turning point. I can make a living out of this.

The winters of 2011 & 2012 were tough because of poor weather and astro hire
cost. I found myself struggling to break even at times. But then I decided to think
about which marketing avenues I hadnt really explored. I first joined Twitter
which was great for approaching grassroots clubs as it was updated regularly
(unlike a lot of club websites) but even better was Facebook where I could
engage with parents and coaches directly. This almost doubled my intake of
goalkeepers and continues to this day to be by far the best way of showcasing
J4K and getting new keepers along to the sessions.

Having now been running for just under 8 years we have 250 keepers in weekly
attendance and have good relationships with a variety of Academies and
Development Centres as well as good reputation with greassroots clubs. It is a
privilege doing what I love for a living and long may it continue!