1981 Lisle, Alan
Alan was a youth team goalkeeper in 1981/82.
"Alan Lisle won't mind you saying he needs to grow up. For Exeter City's new apprentice stands 5ft 8in tall in his stockinged feet. And that's two to three inches too small if he's to make the Football League grade as a goalkeeper. But City believe 16-year old Alan is too good a prospect to ignore because of his height. So youth development officer Chris Davey has drawn up a series of stretching exercises to help Alan make those extra vital inches.
"There's no way we shall interfere with Mother Nature' said Davey. But we shall keep Alan to his stretching routine and make sure he eats well and is in bed early. 'He may have grown to his limit, yet Alan could be 18 or he could be 20 years of age before he reaches his full growing potential'.
Young Lisle could turn out to be a good-un if his background is anything to go by. He hails from the small North East mining village of Ashington where they've turned out players like, Jackie Milburn and the Charlton brothers Jack and Bobby
Lisle has represented Northumberland Schools and was invited to a three-day coaching session and seminar laid on by former Manchester United goal- keeper Harry Gregg and Old Trafford's current custodian Gary Bailey. He's had trials with Ipswich, who, invited him back, and West Bromwich Albion wanted him at the Hawthorns before he chose to launch his career at Exeter. 'I was thrilled to think Ipswich wanted another look at me said Lisle. But I elected to join City because I feel I have a better chance of breaking into the game. All the the same, Ipswich goalkeeper Paul Cooper is still my hero because he's gone through what I'm having to go through now.
He was written off as being too small, but look at him last season. He was voted "Player of the Year" by the Ipswich fans. 'Funnily enough, there are a lot of small goalkeepers in the area I come from,' said Lisle. 'But the way Cooper battled and obtained obtained recognition has given me all the incentive I need'.
Lisle was one of six apprentices who began two year contracts at St. James' Park last ast week. But they were in for a shock if they imagined a gentle easing in period.
On Thursday, for instance, they were up at six o'clock in the morning for a run run along the beach and then had weight and circuit training. 'I should think they had about five minutes with the ball, but that will come later' said Davey. 'For the moment we're looking to build their stamina and all the things we did last week was also to find out something about their character, if they're prepared to go through the pain bar- rier or if they ease up when the going gets tough'.
Alan Lisle didn't mind in the least even if it meant stretching himself to the very limit!
by Gordon Hines - Sunday Independent
"Alan Lisle won't mind you saying he needs to grow up. For Exeter City's new apprentice stands 5ft 8in tall in his stockinged feet. And that's two to three inches too small if he's to make the Football League grade as a goalkeeper. But City believe 16-year old Alan is too good a prospect to ignore because of his height. So youth development officer Chris Davey has drawn up a series of stretching exercises to help Alan make those extra vital inches.
"There's no way we shall interfere with Mother Nature' said Davey. But we shall keep Alan to his stretching routine and make sure he eats well and is in bed early. 'He may have grown to his limit, yet Alan could be 18 or he could be 20 years of age before he reaches his full growing potential'.
Young Lisle could turn out to be a good-un if his background is anything to go by. He hails from the small North East mining village of Ashington where they've turned out players like, Jackie Milburn and the Charlton brothers Jack and Bobby
Lisle has represented Northumberland Schools and was invited to a three-day coaching session and seminar laid on by former Manchester United goal- keeper Harry Gregg and Old Trafford's current custodian Gary Bailey. He's had trials with Ipswich, who, invited him back, and West Bromwich Albion wanted him at the Hawthorns before he chose to launch his career at Exeter. 'I was thrilled to think Ipswich wanted another look at me said Lisle. But I elected to join City because I feel I have a better chance of breaking into the game. All the the same, Ipswich goalkeeper Paul Cooper is still my hero because he's gone through what I'm having to go through now.
He was written off as being too small, but look at him last season. He was voted "Player of the Year" by the Ipswich fans. 'Funnily enough, there are a lot of small goalkeepers in the area I come from,' said Lisle. 'But the way Cooper battled and obtained obtained recognition has given me all the incentive I need'.
Lisle was one of six apprentices who began two year contracts at St. James' Park last ast week. But they were in for a shock if they imagined a gentle easing in period.
On Thursday, for instance, they were up at six o'clock in the morning for a run run along the beach and then had weight and circuit training. 'I should think they had about five minutes with the ball, but that will come later' said Davey. 'For the moment we're looking to build their stamina and all the things we did last week was also to find out something about their character, if they're prepared to go through the pain bar- rier or if they ease up when the going gets tough'.
Alan Lisle didn't mind in the least even if it meant stretching himself to the very limit!
by Gordon Hines - Sunday Independent
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