The Untold Story of Vince Bartram: From Football Legend to Goalkeeping Coach
Vince Bartram is a legendary figure in the world of football goalkeeping. He is known not only for his talent as a player but also for his contributions as a coach. You might have seen him on television as a commentator, but his journey as a coach is still relatively unknown. In this blog post, we will be looking at the untold story of Vince Bartram, from his early days as a player to his impressive career as a goalkeeper coach.
Early Days as a Footballer
Vince Bartram was born on 15 June 1963 in Sutton, London. His career as a footballer started with Arsenal, where he signed his first professional contract in 1982. He then signed for Bournemouth in 1985, where he became a regular first-team goalkeeper and helped the team avoid relegation on numerous occasions. In 1994, Vince Bartram signed for Gillingham, where he played for six years, accumulating more than 260 appearances.
A New Chapter as a Goalkeeping Coach
After retiring from professional football, Vince Bartram started his journey as a goalkeeping coach. He first joined Salisbury City FC as a player-coach, helping the team reach the second round of the FA Cup for the first time in its history. He then moved on to Brentford FC as a goalkeeping coach, where he helped the team achieve a top-four finish in the Football League Championship in 2005-2006.
Working with the Pros
Bartram’s success as a coach caught the attention of professional football clubs, and he started working with top clubs like West Bromwich Albion and Reading FC. He was instrumental in helping Reading FC win the Championship title, which led to their promotion to the Premier League in the 2006-2007 season. His success with Reading FC led to him being hired by Southampton FC as their goalkeeping coach.
Breaking Into the Premier League
Vince Bartram’s success with Reading FC did not go unnoticed, and in 2010, he was offered a position as the goalkeeping coach for Premier League club Fulham. He helped Fulham reach the UEFA Europa League final, where they lost to Atletico Madrid. His time at Fulham gave him the opportunity to work with some of the biggest names in football, including Mark Schwarzer and Edwin van der Sar.
Working with the England U21 Team
In 2012, Vince Bartram was invited to join the England Under-21 coaching staff as their goalkeeping coach. He worked closely with Jack Butland, who would later become the first-choice goalkeeper for the senior England national team. He also worked with players like Jordan Pickford and Alex McCarthy, who are currently playing in the Premier League.
Current Role as a Commentator and Mentor
Vince Bartram is currently working as a commentator for Sky Sports, where he provides expert analysis and commentary on Premier League games. He is also working as a mentor for aspiring football coaches who want to learn from his experience and expertise.
FAQs
Q. What is Vince Bartram’s most significant achievement as a coach?
A. Vince Bartram’s most significant achievement as a coach is helping Reading FC win the Championship title, which led to their promotion to the Premier League in 2006-2007.
Q. Who was Vince Bartram’s favorite player to coach?
A. Vince Bartram has worked with many talented players throughout his career, but he has a soft spot for Jack Butland, whom he coached while working with the England Under-21s.
Q. What is Vince Bartram’s current role in football?
A. Vince Bartram is currently working as a commentator for Sky Sports and as a mentor for aspiring football coaches.
Q. Which Premier League club did Vince Bartram help reach the UEFA Europa League final?
A. Vince Bartram helped Fulham FC reach the UEFA Europa League final in the 2009-2010 season.
Q. What is Vince Bartram’s hometown?
A. Vince Bartram grew up in Sutton, London.
Q. Which team did Vince Bartram help avoid relegation on numerous occasions?
A. Vince Bartram helped Bournemouth FC avoid relegation on numerous occasions while playing for them in the 1980s.
Q. What is Vince Bartram’s specialty as a coach?
A. Vince Bartram specializes in coaching goalkeepers and is regarded as one of the best goalkeeper coaches in football.
Conclusion
The untold story of Vince Bartram is an inspiring one that shows that success can come from hard work and dedication. From his early days as a player to his impressive career as a coach, Vince Bartram has left an indelible mark on the world of football. His contribution to the game has been significant, and his expertise as a coach is highly sought after. Whether as a commentator or a mentor, Vince Bartram will continue to be a guiding light for aspiring football coaches and players alike.