Sells Goalkeeping Academy latest interview with Sheffield United Number One Steve Simonsen. Simmo thank you for joining SGA to give us an exclusive interview into you and your professional career.

Simmo started his career at Tranmere before moving to Everton in a record breaking deal for a goalkeeper at the time. He has since moved to Stoke City, and is now currently playing for Sheffield United.

1. (Q) Simmo you where a former England Under 21 Player, as well as having the label of being the most expensive goalkeeper after moving to Everton in 1998 for £3.3 Million pounds. That is a huge pressure to put onto a young player at the time. How did you cope with it.

(A) I just got on with enjoying playing, and didnt think about the fee at the time. It was a huge move for me and i was absolutely thrilled to have joined a premier league club.

2. (Q) How did you become a professional Keeper.

(A) I was a school boy at Nottingham Forrest for two years aged 15-16, but was not offered a place at their Academy when i left school so i took the offer from Tranmere.

3. (Q) What was your age when you where first spotted by a professional football club.

(A) I was 14, and Nottingham Forrest took me down for a number of trials.

4. (Q) If you had not made it as a professional footballer, what would you have done with your life.

(A) I would have still played football probably, just not professionally but career wise i really do not know what i would have done.

5. (Q) As an experienced professional, that has played top level football for many seasons, can you tell SGA what life as a footballer is like.

(A) I feel very privileged to be a footballer. Its a wonderful life, and too many top footballers take it for granted. It can be very easily taken away at any point.

6. (Q) You are currently playing for Sheffield United, where SGA head coach Paul Crichton works as full time goalkeeping coach. Can you tell us what he is like to work with.

(A) Crytes is great. We have a very good relationship between us. You must have faith in your goalkeeper coach, and Crytes now understands that at my stage in my career its a case of just keeping me topped up with my training.

7. (Q) When you where growing up as a young keeper, did you get any keeper coaching.

(A) I didnt get any one on one coaching as a kid until i was about 15 years of age. This is very late especially with the amount of academies around now. If you are able to get professional coaching from a young age, this will only benefit you as a person and as a keeper.

8. (Q) SGA currently have seven academies operating around the country with new venues planned for 2011. When we open an academy close to you SGA would like to invite you to a session.

(A) No problem at all. Being a Sells glove wearer and an endorsee i would be very happy to come along and support the academies.

9. Tell us a little bit more about Steve Simonsen the person.

(Q) What do you do when your not training.

(A) Love to spend time with my wife and two kids.

(Q) What type of music are you into.

(A) A bit of everything, from the 80s to Rock and Dance.

(Q) Favourite Film.

(A) Happy Gilmore

(Q) Career funny moment, either playing or training.

(A) When i was at Everton, Gazza was playing a premier league game for us , and unfortunately failed to get back to the toilet during a game causing quite a mess.

(Q) Career Highlight.

(A) Winning promotion to the premier league with Stoke City.

(Q) Career Low Point.

(A) Not playing enough premier league games for Stoke City.

(Q) Finally Simmo, you wear Sells Gloves. Its great to see so many keepers now wearing the Sells product. How do you find the gloves.

(A) I have worn Sells for nearly Ten years now. They are the best on the market and the attention to detail for goalkeepers is superb.

Simmo. Thanks for taking the time to talk with SGA. Good luck for the rest of the season, and we hope that you have a successful festive period. We also look forward to seeing you at a SGA camp soon.