Despite amassing over 500 career appearances, Morecambe’s Barry Roche isn’t ready to slow down yet. The 6ft4 Irishman has enjoyed  16 years of first team football to date, including nearly a decade as Morecambe’s first choice keeper. Roche signed with PEAK at the beginning of this season and we were lucky enough to spend some time getting to know him a little better.

Barry Roche on PEAK

Barry as been friends with PEAK’s main designer since their time together at Nottingham Forest. When we approached him in the summer to make the move to PEAK the decision was easy;

“I have worn gloves designed by Scott (PEAK chief designer) before and know the standards he expects. When I got the call it was a very simple yes and I haven’t been disappointed. The gloves have been excellent and the PEAK vision for the future is one I’m happy to be part of. It’s nice to be spoilt for choice with the gloves and I’m still unsure of my favourite!”

His current glove of choice is the ARMOR glove but he has also wore the SOLAR on many occasions too.

2016/17 Season

This season started extremely well for the veteran stopper with him making the shortlist of 4 for the League 2 Player of the Month. Roche unfortunately missed out on the award but was happy with the recognition of his performances;

“It’s always nice to be noticed for good performances, as any goalkeeper will tell you it’s usually our mistakes which get the most attention.”

Morecambe currently sit 19th in League 2 but with a game in hand against bottom club Newport County. A win would see them join 3 other clubs in joint 14th and only 8 point off the play-offs.

THAT Goal!

Last season saw Barry Roche join the Goal Scoring Goalkeepers Club by way of a 94th minute headed equaliser against Portsmouth. After he struck he wheeled away in celebration and admits everything is a bit of a blur looking back;

“I went up for the corner and at 6ft4 you’ve always got a chance! As soon as I saw it cross the line I just sprinted to the corner flag and dived to the floor, next thing I know I was covered by all the team!”

Getting to know Barry Roche

Barry took the time to answer a few questions for us, take a look at what he had to say:

Who do you look up to in the goalkeeping world?

Peter Schmeichel was always my hero and it always pained me to say it given I’m a Liverpool fan. But He had absolutely everything. His agility and reflexes for such a big man were outstanding and also his presence.

Who has been your toughest opponent?

I always enjoyed playing against Marc Richards, particularly when he was at Port Vale. It was always a battle and more often than not I’d come off the pitch with more than a few bumps and bruises.

What has been your biggest achievement as a Goalkeeper?

Playing the amount of games I have. To surpass 500 professional games is something I’m immensely proud of and there’s more to come.

Best save you have ever made? 

Away at Crawley seven years ago. A finger tip save from a header back across me. I actually wasn’t going to go for it as I thought it was in but managed to claw it onto the post and way.

Best piece of advice to young goalkeepers?

You have to work hard and make the necessary sacrifices if you want to improve. I didn’t make enough sacrifices when I was younger which is something I’ll always regret.

Toughest part about being a Goalkeeper?

If you make a mistake then more often than not it ends up being a goal. The penalty box can be a very lonely place when that happens.

Best part about being a Goalkeeper?

Being the hero. Making a last minute pen or top drawer save and keeping your side in the game or winning the three point.

Finally, What is the best save of the season so far?

Tom Heaton’s save from Ibrahimovic’s close range volley. It was bravery at its best and as a result, got his side a point!

 

Keep up to date with the remainder of Barry Roche’s season by following his Twitter here!

 

To get yourself some PEAK Gloves like Barry click here to view our entire range!

The Boxing Day fixtures are always interesting but this year in particular had a significant meaning for young Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson. Having signed on loan to Grimsby Town in the summer in order to gain some first team experience, Dean has had to bide his time with long serving keeper James McKeown getting the nod for the start of the season. All the hard work and self-belief finally paid off on Monday as Dean was named in the starting line-up for the home fixture against a more than capable Accrington side.

Young Goalkeeper’s First Taste

3pm on the 26th December 2016 marked the professional debut of Dean Henderson. Speaking recently with PEAK Dean made it perfectly clear he felt he was ready for the professional game. The England Under 20 international had been working towards this moment since he was but a boy in his hometown of Whitehaven. The game itself couldn’t have went any better for Dean, a 2-0 win, clean sheet and 3 points. With a string of smart saves as well as a dominant aerial display Dean was happy overall;

“I was fairly busy with regards to making saves and I felt I did well with taking crosses. Accrington are a decent side to be fair so can’t argue with a win and clean sheet. Helped that the ball stuck like glue to my gloves.”

Learning from the Best

Dean has been lucky enough to work with some very good goalkeeper coaches during his early career. Also the obvious added benefit of working with goalkeepers like David De Gea, Sergio Romero and Victor Valdes to name a few. Dean’s work ethic has continued at Grimsby with Goalkeeper Coach Andy Warrington attesting to that.

Next Up

The young goalkeeper will hope for a run of games should The Mariners be allowed to extend his stay at Blundell Park. If Manchester United choose to allow their goalkeeper to remain there Dean is relishing the chance;

“I may only be young with a lot of time ahead of me but I want to play. That’s what a goalkeeper trains all week for. Now I’ve had my first taste it has me wanting more!”

It is safe to say Dean has a long and by the looks of it successful career ahead of him. PEAK are extremely pleased to have him on board as one of our endorsees. Remember the name!

You can keep up to date with Dean’s progression and for more photos of him in is PEAK Goalkeeper Gloves here.

In the summer Scott Brown made the move back across the border hooking up with PEAK Goalkeeper Coach Barry Richardson at Wycombe Wanderers and also PEAK Goalkeeper Gloves.

After enjoying a good pre-season Scott unfortunately suffered a groin injury in the opening League 2 game of the season.

With an extended stay in the physio room expected, Wycombe turned to fellow PEAK endorsee Jamal Blackman of Chelsea to fill the hole left by Brown.

Scott and his Goalkeeper Gloves

Scott joined the PEAK team shortly after joining Wycombe and has opted for the Security Goalkeeper Gloves so far this season and has had a lot of good things to say:

“A quality fit paired with great grip means with my PEAK gloves I have just what I need to go into a game confident. I have tried a lot of gloves in my career and couldn’t be happier with the SECURITY Goalkeeper Gloves!”

With Goalkeeper Gloves being an essential part for us all it is important that our gloves give us the confidence to perform. To pick up some Goalkeeper Gloves like Scott’s then just click here.

Next Up for Scott

Now back fit, Scott is nearing the end of an emergency loan at Eastleigh and looking forward to what 2017 could have in store. He took a few minutes with us to answer some questions, take a read of his answers below!

Scott Brown – Wycombe Wanderers FC

Who do you look up to in the goalkeeping world?

I was bought up as a wolves fan and used to have a season ticket there with my dad and they had a goalkeeper called Mike Stowell (now Goalkeeper Coach at Leicester City) who I always looked up to as a kid but right now I would have to say Buffon, he just seems to have got better a better and is still one of the best in the world even at nearly 40.

Who has been your toughest opponent?

For some reason Bayo Akinfenwa always seemed to score against me every time I played against him so I was glad that when I joined Wycombe he was there as well, I think his record is 9 in 6 games against me but still managed to mark him out a game in training the other day.

What has been your biggest achievement as a Goalkeeper?

I think when I was at Aberdeen we won 8 in a row and kept 8 clean sheets in a row, it broke all sorts of club records and some of them were goalkeeping coaches Jim Leighton’s which meant a lot.

Best save you have ever made?

Mmmmmm, I think I made a triple save away at St Jonstone on a Friday night on BT in the last minute which helped us save a point which was very special to me.

Best piece of advice to young goalkeepers?

Play with a smile on your face, relax and when you make a mistake try and learn from it.

Toughest part about being a Goalkeeper?

The mental side, I didn’t realise how tough it was until I moved to Aberdeen when everything you do is scrutinised and when you make a mistake everyone lets u no about it. You just have to forget about them and make sure the next thing you do is positive

Best part about being a Goalkeeper?

Putting the gloves on every day and realising that you play football for a living.

What is the best save you have seen so far this season?

Randolph last weekend against Liverpool especially after his mistake.

Thank you Scott for taking the time out to talk with PEAK!