Keeper Chris Weale has new goal at Shrewsbury Town
Picture the scene. Shrewsbury Town are trailing by a goal heading deep into injury time of a League One game.
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Picture the scene. Shrewsbury Town are trailing by a goal heading deep into injury time of a League One game.
They win a corner and goalkeeper Chris Weale glances over to the dugout.
Boss Graham Turner momentarily ponders, his mind no doubt flashing back to April 21 2009, before giving the affable shot-stopper the nod to charge forward for the flag kick.
History dictates such a scenario would come as no surprise.
“I’ve only scored once and it was for Yeovil against the gaffer and John (Trewick, senior coach) who were with Hereford at the time,” smiled Weale.
“It was a last-minute corner and we were 2-1 down and we needed something to pretty much guarantee we stayed up (in League One) with a game or two to spare.
“I scored a header and the rest is history.
“I might come up for one here if needed because goalkeepers know how to attack the ball because you see how strikers do it. If the delivery is decent you always stand a chance – plus nobody is marking you.”
Weale’s magical moment has already been a topic of conversation in the opening week of pre-season training.
“It came up on the first day because we were pairing up for an exercise and everyone had to say something about what they had done in their career,” added the 30-year-old.
“I said to my fellow goalkeeper what I had done. John asked Joe (Anyon) what I had said and that’s what came out.”
Despite a number of loan moves, Shrewsbury is only the fourth permanent stop-off point of Weale’s career.
It all began at Yeovil before moves to Bristol City and Leicester, where more than 80 appearances for the Championship club included a spell working under former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson.
“It was a great experience to see how he went about things,” added Weale.
“He was always very calm and collected and let you get on with doing your job.
“He always came in cheerful and bright, shook your hand in the morning and always said hello.
“He was a genuine person and you don’t always get that in management. He would look you in the eye and tell you to your face what was happening.”
Weale found that out in the second half of the 2010-11 season when the signing of former Portugal goalkeeper Richardo Pereira signalled his removal from the team for surprising reasons.
“That was interesting for me because I was playing well at the time,” he added.
“Sven dropped me and I when I asked why, he said ‘because you’re playing really, really well!’
“He brought a new goalkeeper in and needed to play him. It was a bit different from being dropped for not playing well but fortunately for me I got back in the side.”
Weale, however, was forced to rely on a diet of Carling Cup football and a three-game loan spell with Northampton in January for his football fix last season.
But the switch to Shrewsbury – and the forthcoming battle for Joe Anyon for the No.1 shirt – has brought a fresh approach.
“I’m the most excited I’ve been in my career about this season, probably because I’ve learned a lot and I just want to enjoy my football,” he added.
“It’s a great place to play football and the staff I’m working with are such positive, upbeat people.”
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