Gary Walsh

Goalkeeper
Born: Wigan, 21/3/68
Height: 6' 3"
Weight: 14' 13"
Previous clubs: Manchester Utd, Middlesbrough
England U-21 caps.
Signed by: Chris Kamara
From: Bryan Robson (Middlesbrough)
Cost: £500,000

Chris Kamara’s main failing as City manager was that he was unable, for whatever reason, to put out a consistent team. Nowhere was this more evident than between the sticks. When Kamara took Walsh on loan from Middlesbrough (a loan which saw the keeper concede only one goal in seven games) he represented Kamara’s ninth goalkeeper in under two years. Walsh bedded into City very quickly and soon was signed on a short term deal, a deal extended at Walsh’s request showing his commitment to the club.

During Walsh’s lengthy spell as understudy to Manchester United’s Peter Schmichel Gary played a role in some memorable Old Trafford occasions. He also found himself keeping goal in the 120,000 Nou Camp stadium in Barcelona during one of United’s European campaigns. These experiences stand him in good stead. City have not has a goalkeeper who inspired such confidence in many years, if ever (I am unable to comment on the mercurial Peter Downsbourgh but can say that although during his brief spell at the club Mark Schwatzer looked like one of the finest goalkeepers I have ever seen, he was prone to errors and lapses of concentration that Walsh is never guilty of).

It is the confidence that Walsh inspires in both his team mates, who operate in front of him with a certain composure, and in the supporters, who’s nervousness in relation to previous keepers (Jon Gould being a prime example) transferred too easily to the pitch, that is his greatest attribute.