News

Update from Matt Highley, Goalkeeping Coach

2 Jul 22

"I am the Men’s Goalkeeping Coach at Alton FC, joining the senior squad for the first time this season (2022-23). It’s my job to ensure the goalkeepers in the squad are performing at the top of their ability, and continually developing their skills.

I’m currently working on an initial skillset assessment, which will lead to individual and team-related goalkeeping targets to take into the season.

It’s my aim to ensure the goalkeepers improve their individual capabilities, and work with the players in front of them to solidify our defensive performance.

A key challenge for all the goalkeepers is the evolving role of goalkeepers in today’s modern game; becoming more integrated as a ‘sweeper keeper’, using their feet more, and adjusting mentally to maximise their contribution from the back. My personal challenge will be to facilitate this through coaching and development feedback.

This is a role I love, at a great family and community oriented club. I get a great deal of satisfaction and pride from sharing my own experience, and watching other players grow as a result.

It’s early in my first season but all the players (goalkeepers and outfield) have been friendly and welcoming, and show a strong determination and ambition to succeed. There’s an abundance of talent in all positions, and the competition for places seems healthy!

I’m looking forward to a successful season for the whole squad, and I’m looking forward to seeing how much impact the goalkeepers can bring to matches. Personally, I’m looking forward to further developing my coaching through UEFA C, and bringing elements of that to the training ground.

I’ve been at Alton FC since 2018, managing a junior team and previously coaching Alton Ladies. Alton FC is a great club, with masses of potential. It has an extremely strong junior and youth set-up, which provides boys and girls opportunities to progress into a high level of adult football. It’s got a strong family and community focus, making it a friendly and enjoyable place to play and coach, and every person involved is there because they want the best for the club and all of the players and other people involved. It’s a really positive footballing atmosphere."