A former England international, and professional goalkeeper, Nottingham-born Scott Loach, has set up a goalkeeping school for the East Midlands, with he and his team putting on a camp this April.

Although born in Nottingham, in the late eighties, Loach grew up in Halstead, Essex, starting his footballing career with East Anglian side, Ipswich Town, before a yo-yo-esque career between north and south seeing spells at Lincoln City, Watford, Ipswich, Notts County, and Hartlepool United, among others.

His career finished back in the East Midlands with Chesterfield, and Derby County, where he’s been studying his coaching licences – throughout his playing career, he has made over 500 appearances, as well as becoming an England U21 international.

Whilst with England he was part of the squad that lost the 2009 European Championship U21s final, to, of all nations, Germany, playing the full ninety minutes of a 4-0 defeat – opposing him that day, the likes of Manuel Neuer, Jerome Boateng, Matts Hummels, Sami Khedira, and Mesut Ozil.

Journeyman Sandro Wagner scored twice, as well as efforts from Gonzalo Castro, and the former Real Madrid and Arsenal midfielder, Ozil, a game in which Loach is always asked about.

However, it is one in which forms part of the experiences in which he, and his coaching team of Saul Deeney (ex-Notts County, Burton Albion and Derby County), along with Bill Bennett, Jim Scott, Steve Waite et al, can afford those in attendance.

“It’s all about that, experiences,” began Loach.

“That’s something which I can at these coaching schools.

“We’ve been running them for around three years and, over the last 12-18 months, we’ve really started to see things taking off with it.

“We just wanted to get things right, and create opportunities for others.”

Having moved back to Nottingham, due to his father gaining employment in the area, Loach would begin his adult career with Southwell, before moving his way through rollercoaster of professional football.

“Nobody tells you, when you’re at school, that you can make it in the world of football,” continued the goalkeeping coach.

“It is a rollercoaster, and one which you have to just ride, stick with it, and do it yourself.

“For me, now, I’m getting more and more excited that my children (aged 9, 7, and 4 years) are getting involved as well.”

Throughout all that Loach has enjoyed in his playing career, one which has spanned some two decades (2004-2024), highlights have included his 500th career game, and the spells in which he had at that of Watford, Hartlepool, and Chesterfield.

At The Hornets, between 2006 and 2012, Loach would register over 160 games in the Championship, reaching the latter stages of both the FA and League Cup competitions during that time; with Pools he would make a hundred successive appearances; and at the Spireites, that would be where he registered number five hundred.

“My 500th game was Chesterfield versus Southend (a 2-2 draw in March 2022), although I gave away a penalty,” he added.

“That was the main highlight for me; but I’m just fortunate to have played football.

“But I’ve also played in some really good games, including against Chelsea three times, where I got my son a Timo Werner shirt.

“The spell at Hartlepool was probably the best of my career, and to make a hundred games in a row whilst there, was incredible.

“It was similar at Watford, and Chesterfield, but I wasn’t the best goalkeeper out there, but you get there eventually, once you get through the hard times.

“When I came to Derby though, I knew I’d be third choice, and I was wanting to do my UEFA Coaching Licence, so that’s what I’ve been doing.

“It’s something I’m really enjoying doing, and I’m flying through it.

“It’s beneficial, and I’m able to drip things into the school.”

With coaching schools taking place at both Morton (nr Southwell, Nottinghamshire), and at Sleetmoor (Alfreton, Derbyshire), Loach and company are taking great pride in what they are giving to the next generation, and beyond.

Continually looking at pushing things to the next level, for both boys and girls, coaching is something in which the Notts-born, former shot-stopper, sees himself moving forward.

“There’s floods of experience within the camp,” explained Loach.

“It’s not just parents and children turning up to play, and we’ve also had female England coaches coming down to help push that side as well

“I’m really pleased that we can get the people in that we do.

“I want a career in coaching, and there’s a lot missing at grassroots level, so it’s just about getting it right, not only for us, but the clients, and their parents also.

“There’s been so many kids turning up as well, of all abilities and backgrounds, including those with ADHD, Autism, have been bullied, etc.

“It’s very pleasing to see them continue turning up, week in, week out, and to enjoy the experiences we provide.

“We’re just trying to make goalkeeping cool though.”

The Goalkeeping School with be hosting a day camp on Wednesday 9 April, at Morton (NG25 0UT) with over a hundred ‘keepers attending, along with coaches from across the country.

Keep up-to-date with all that’s going on with ‘Scott Loach Goalkeeping’ via his Facebook and X/Twitter and visit the website HERE for news of latest camps and courses.

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @S1goalkeeping Scott Loach (left) has now turned to coaching the next generation.