Promising Young KeeperSigns ....

16 year old Tom Turner this week signed forms for Redditch Utd first team

and is now looking forward to playing in the Blue Square North Football League.

Tom started out as goalkeeper for Wombourne Olympic's under 8's, finishing

as runners-up in the league and winning the league cup. After just one season

in goal he decided he wanted to play outfield and became a very good right

winger before pulling on the gloves again for Trysull Tigers under 14's in the

Stourbridge & District League going on to represent the Brierley Hill and

Dudley District team that same season.

Tom then Joined Redditch United under 15's, in season 2007/08, as cover

for the first choice keeper who was injured and although Tom himself was

only just returning to full fitness, following a broken metatarsal, he worked hard

and eventually became first choice keeper for the remainder of the season.

Tom made the Number 1 shirt his own last season at under 16's and currently

at Youth level for Redditch Utd in both the Midland Floodlit Youth League and

the Midland Junior Premier Football League.

Off the pitch, Tom is currently studying A-levels at Ounsdale sixth form, Wombourne, in PE, Business Studies, History and Sociology and although his ultimate ambition is to play in goal at a professional level, if that fails to materialise he is keen to pursue a career in teaching, obviously in a sports related subject.

Redditch Utd F.C. first team goal keeper coach, John Reeves, said of Tom's signing, "It is great to see a youngster from our own Youth team progressing to become involved with the first team squad. Tom has all of the attributes I look for in my goal keepers, he has a good attitude, is confident, works hard and listens to advice and I am sure that given time Tom will develop into a very good quality goal keeper"

Red's fans favourite and current number 1, Danny Lewis, said, "Tom has come in with a great attitude, willing to learn and has worked really hard so far. There is no reason why he can't go on to play regularly for the first team in the future or even at a higher level if he gets his head down and continues to work hard. He has all the attributes to make it in the game"

Tom's current manager at Youth level, Darren Ward, said, "Since joining us at Redditch Utd, in season 2007/08, Tom has grown into a confident, mature goal keeper who is always 100% committed and never misses a training session. I, as his manager, along with all of his team mates are very proud of Tom's success and we wish him all the best in his future at Redditch Utd"

Tim Delaney, Redditch Utd's Youth Development Associate Director went on to say, "Tom's achievement is absolutely fantastic and as head of Youth development at the Club it makes me extremely proud to see one of our own come through the ranks and sign forms for the first team. As a club we may not have the cash available for players that many other teams in the Blue Square North League have but what we do possess is a lot of talented, capable and committed children and young adults who want to develop their football and hopefully, eventually make it in the game, ideally with Redditch Utd F.C. but if not then at a higher level. Tom's success proves this is possible and it follows on from the achievements of three current regular first team squad members, Bradley Bullimore, Chris Dickinson and Michael Hegarty who all came through the Youth and Junior ranks at the club over the last few season to sign first team forms"

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