Searle Answers Carshalton Call to Arms - And Keeps A Clean Sheet
- James Barrett
- Nov 21, 2016
- 2 min read
Experienced goalkeeper Stuart Searle came out of retirement last Saturday as he answered a distress call from a club dear to his heart, writes James Barrett.
Carshalton Athletic faced a goalkeeping crisis just 24 hours before the visit of South Park last weekend, with regular shot-stopper Alex Kozakis injured and the on-loan Billy Bishop recalled by Hampton & Richmond Borough less than a week into his stay at Colston Avenue.
But 37-year old Searle, who last played a competitive first-team match two years ago, dusted off his gloves to help the Robins keep up their Ryman Division One South promotion aspirations.
"I wasn't nervous at the prospect, I just hoped my body wouldn't let me down," smiled Searle.
"It all happened rather quickly - I received calls from (club chairman) Paul Dipre and my old Carshalton goalkeeping coach Les Cleevely on the Friday afternoon.
"Thankfully I had the weekend free and, after a little consideration, I was only too happy to help out my old club."
Searle, during a career that has also seen him at Chelsea, Watford and MK Dons, had previously made over 350 appearances for Carshalton and this latest one ended with a clean sheet as Tommy Bradford's 22nd minute free kick was enough to separate the two sides.
"The first 15 minutes were quite frenetic but I settled into it after that," he added.
"It was pleasure playing with a team that wants to pass and move, and I had to make a couple of saves - it was an enjoyable experience.
"But there was an article in the programme that highlighted a match from 15 years ago and my name was in it! It's a young man's game and I won't be making a habit of doing this."
As Searle continues a fruitful coaching career with Chelsea Ladies, plus he managed Met Police Youth to the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup earlier this year, he didn't rule out returning to his local club one day in that capacity.
"(Carshalton manager) Peter Adeniyi's footballing philosophy is appealing to me, plus the club backs its academy by giving talented youngsters a chance which is fantastic.
"There is always room for improvement but I was very impressed with the players in front of me on Saturday. I'd be happy to offer my services to the club if there were opportunities in the future."
Carshalton Athletic and South Park face-off again on Wednesday 23rd November (KO 7.45pm) as the Robins travel to Whitehall Lane for a second round Ryman League Cup tie.
Photo credit: Ian Gerrard