New Keeper

[Oldstripy]

We have completed the signing of 23-year-old goalkeeper Luke Pilling.

The stopper this summer left his boyhood club Tranmere Rovers after 17 years of service, having joined the Merseyside outfit aged six.

Despite being born in England he has represented Wales at various youth levels and was voted Best Goalkeeper at the prestigious Toulon Tournament in 2017 despite his country’s exit at the group stages.

And Pilling is now hoping to replicate his international successes in the domestic game.

“I’ve come through from Wales’ Under 15s to the Under 21s and trained once with the senior squad,” said the keeper.

“I definitely want to build on that in my club career and get as many appearances as I can.

“It feels strange coming somewhere else when Tranmere was on my doorstep and that was all I knew from a young age, but it’s exciting for me – it’s a change and I definitely needed that.

“I know Sam Slocombe’s been a top keeper for a long time but I’m here to push him all the way and give people something to think about.”

Pilling will not be part of Neal Ardley’s squad for Saturday’s friendly at Ilkeston Town, with next weekend’s visit to Alfreton likely to bring his first run-out in Notts colours.

And the boss is looking forward to welcoming his new keeper into training on Monday.

“Luke’s very agile and quick around his goal – he’s good with his feet and we feel he’ll be able to play out from the back like Sam Slocombe does well," said Ardley.

“We need to push Sam and of all the goalkeepers the recruitment team and I have looked at, he’s the one we like the most. We feel he’s the right fit for us.

“This also opens up the avenue for Tiernan Brooks to go out and play games. Tiernan’s only young – he’s a real prospect but it’s probably a little too soon to be throwing him in."

https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news...-signs-040920/

[DaveSmithRules]

Wiki says he's 5 11" so not a giant by any means. Looks like a decent prospect tho.

[Notts78]

Wiki says he's 5 11" so not a giant by any means. Looks like a decent prospect tho.

Not overly fussed about height, Shay Given was a top class keeper and he wasn’t the tallest. Like we have seen in the past with players in various positions height is only an advantage if you use it. If he has a good leap then that could make up the few inches. Also taller keepers can struggle with low shots so for me it swings in roundabouts. Time will tell but another player at a good age for us

[countygump]

[countygump]

[Bartlett's Dust]

Not overly fussed about height, Shay Given was a top class keeper and he wasn’t the tallest. Like we have seen in the past with players in various positions height is only an advantage if you use it. If he has a good leap then that could make up the few inches. Also taller keepers can struggle with low shots so for me it swings in roundabouts. Time will tell but another player at a good age for us

It's not swings and roundabouts, most of the better keepers are tall. Yes there will be the odd decent keeper under 6 foot, but not many.

[ncfcog]

A grand totals of 7 senior appearances for Tranmere with two clean sheets. It looks like it will give Brooks the chance to go out and get some valuable game time on loan.

[laddo]

It's not swings and roundabouts, most of the better keepers are tall. Yes there will be the odd decent keeper under 6 foot, but not many.

He's right you know.

[magpie_mania]

It's not swings and roundabouts, most of the better keepers are tall. Yes there will be the odd decent keeper under 6 foot, but not many.

Slocombe is no giant, 1" taller

[irish_pie]

Welcome aboard Luke... if you do push Sam for the starting spot you must be a good keeper.