Sells Goalkeeping Academy Questionaire Terry Gennoe

               Terry Gennoe thank you talking exclusively to Sells Goalkeeping Academy.

1.You started your Career back in 1972 with Bury Fc. Can you tell SGA about how you where first spotted and how Football has changed from when you first began playing to the modern day Footballer today?

Training as a Teacher at a Teacher Training College, I was playing Rugby for College and Sunday League Football. The Sunday League team i was playing for where doing really well reaching most finals. Whilst playing one day I was given a card saying Bury FC and that’s where my Career started.

Now young Keepers are picked up by Scouts at Clubs or Academies in my day you didn’t have that system.

2.When you first started out as a Young Keeper, was there any specific Goalkeeping Coaching Schools that you used to go too. How was the Goalkeeper Coaching then, to how it is now?

No Coaching Schools were around when i was a young keeper. I broke my arm so i decided that playing in goal was the only position i could play. My Old Teacher was very impressed with how I was in goal and so I continued in this position. Back in those days we had no opportunity to get any goalkeeper coaching. It really was a case of just getting on with it, so i decided to just try to keep the ball out of the net.

3.You are originally from Shrewsbury where Joe Hart started his football career. There seems to be a lot of young keepers coming through Shrewsbury at the moment. Is it something in the water in that area?

Not in the water, I think the system that is in place is good. I think its coincidence that Joe Hart and Mason Springthorpe come from Shrewsbury they are role models for Young Keepers.

4.If we can go back to when you first began your Career as a Footballer. You moved  from Bury after Three appearances to Halifax, then onto Southampton and finally Blackburn with a three game loan move to Crystal palace in between. You spent Ten years at Blackburn as the First Team Keeper racking up many appearances. The most appearances in a Blackburn Goalkeeper jersey. You must be proud of your achievement?

I am Very proud, my later years were the best years when I was 28 and at Blackburn. Although Keepers nowadays mature at an early age. I am Very proud of Shay Given, he has moved around to develop himself as a Keeper and play at the highest possible level. This is sometimes what is needed with Keepers to help with your development.

 5.After you eventually hung up your gloves to injury you turned your attention to Goalkeeper Coaching, working initially part time at Blackburn before joining full time working with Bobby Minns, Tim Flowers and eventually Shay Given. What where these guys like to work with?

It was tremendous as they worked together as a Team, when you get a group of Goalkeepers they encourage each other. Goalkeepers are always a tight knit group.

                6.Terry can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

                i.What type of music do you like?

                All types of music my favourite is Motown.

               ii. What type of food is your favourite?

               Food which is cooked by my wife Susan.

               v. Favorite Film?

               Funny films, I like a good laugh. Every Christmas we 

               watch Wonderful Life.

               iv.Career Funny moment, either playing a game or at training?

One time we were at a training ground in Blackburn on public ground and money was very tight. We even had to sell a player to pay the electric bill!Footballs cost between £50 to £100 back in them days! My Manager at the time was Bobby Fracsone and one day we were at shooting session by a river, when one of the balls went in the river.  Bobby had to go into the river to get the ball, they were so expensive! It was funny! Another time I was at Newcastle, it was a frosty day and we were playing on long grass near a river, when one of the balls went over a fence into the river. So we threw a life ring in, but the string slipped out of our hands. I then realized we couldn’t send in a Million pound goalkeeper and went in myself!

        V. Career Highlight?

I have had many highlights in my Career, a very proud moment is when I see Shay Given going out onto the pitch I feel like I am there with him.

vi. Career Low Point?

Losing at Wembley

7. Terry, you attended the SGA Professional Coaching Day at Aston Villa recently. It must be great to see professional footballers giving something back to grass roots Football?

Andy Marshall is a rare breed as he is able to Coach at all levels and brings such enthusiasm to the sessions.  It was great seeing all the keepers being trained by professionals.

8.After you eventually left Blackburn Rovers you headed North to Celtic to join up with Kenny Dalglish. Here you worked with several keepers including Rob Douglas and David Marshall. How did you find Scotland and working for Celtic?

I actually went from Newcastle to Celtic then back to Newcastle.  It was a new experience for me. In Scotland you are either a Catholic or Protestant. Religion is a very big part of football and life in Scotland. Your either a winner or loser - there is no in between.

9.Before joining Aston Villa Three months ago where you reunited yourself with Shay Given you spent a couple of years living in Spain. At this point did you feel you would return to  Professional Football?

In the early days I gave no thought to returning to Football but then your appetite grows, and then you get the yearning to be involved. I did look at Goalkeeping Schools out in Spain but my Spanish is poor so this wasn’t going to work.

10.You have been instrumental in Shay Givens Career. Getting him at a young age and undoubtedly pointing him in the correct direction. You must be proud to see how well he has done?

Very proud, I saw potential in him and looked at plotting his Development. Not all Keepers fit in a 1st Team straight away this is why sometimes they are sent off on loan to see if they can reach the next stage. You have to build up a very Personal Relationship which is what I did with Shay Given.

11.With your many years and fast experience in the Professional game at such a high level, can you give any advice that our Young Keepers could take from you?

I always say to Keepers bring 100% for me to be able to help I will mould and guide you if you don’t bring 100% then I cannot.

12.We recently interviewed Theo Paphitis from the Dragons Den as well as several high Celebrity Personal to ask if they would attend one of our Centre’s for a Goalkeeping Session, he has accepted our invite. Would you also attend, as a Keeper and not a Coach-so you could be put through paces by the SGA Team?

               My mind is willing to but my body can’t cope although I am happy be a Spectator though.

              Terry, thank you for talking exclusively to SGA..