That's Saul Folks ! Notts say farewell (again) to the Nearly Man |
It was probably no suprise to anyone that when the list of released players appeared at the end of the 2006-7 season, Saul Deeney was once more on it. Thompson, like other managers before him, had turned to the youngster as a possible number one when the side were going through a bad patch but like others, found the keeper prone to errors. No one could dispute his great saves but, as with his very last match in the County Cup against Mansfield, his lapses could be costly as his team found when he was lobbed from distance and conceeded the only goal of the game. Then, of course, there was the question of his breaking into the first team.Always keen to progress, the sixteen year old joined as a youth, eventually becoming number three behind Stuart Garden and Steve Mildenhall. During the Great Escape Season, when both were injured, he made his debut and impressed. Later though, Bill Dearden hinted at having to remind the lad that he was still gaining experience despite his enthusiasm to be number one and although his first stint at Meadow Lane did earn him the jersey, it never guaranteed him the position. This was, at least, part of the reason he eventually left and sought regular first team football elsewhere. However, his mercurial temperament led downwards rather than up and despite several high profile trials with bigger clubs, he ended up at Burton Albion where he again showed his ability to keep Man Utd at bay and earn his team a replay at Old Trafford. Notts fans might have wondered what they were missing as he enjoyed his fifteen minutes but there were other headlines also when his refusal to agree more regular terms saw manager Nigel Clough threaten to release him before the return match.He signed but Burton were well beaten and Deeney was back seeking a job at the end of the season. It was clear to everyone that a return was on the cards when he impressed at Ian Richardson's testimonial that April. During his second spell, new manager Thompson turned to him instead of Pilkington but his erratic form was once more his undoing and the goalie left, still unable to command a first team place.If Saul can get his temperament sorted and gain more experience, there's every chance he'll be a good keeper in the lower leagues, maybe even higher. If he doesn't, he could be never anything more than he was at Notts - a nearly man on the fringes of the game. |
the young Deeney joined as a youth and became third choice |
Saul never became a regular first choice under any manager |
During 2004-5 he achieved the number 1 position in a season where the club had six keepers |
Ironically his greatest success came during his time away from Notts with Burton Albion when he held off Man Utd and the non-leaguers gained a commendable draw in the FA Cup. |
Another superb performance in the Ian Richardson testimonial game pointed to a return to his old club |
His squad number pointed to the enigma that is Saul Deeney - still unable to be guaranteed that elusive first team place. He wore this shirt on the bench against Darlington. |
Saul Deeney 1999 - 2007 |
back to the season 2006-7 |
Deeney and other Notts keepers |
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