FORMER non-league journeyman Dean Neil has called on young footballers to try their hand at goalkeeping at his academy, as he prepares to launch his new “hub of excellence”.

Neil will run his Pro-1 Goalkeeping Academy out of a warehouse in Wash Road, Noak Bridge, in what he says is the UK’s first indoor goalkeeping facility, when it opens in less than a fortnight.

The academy will run one-hour weekly sessions, with drills and training exercises, including core-fitness work. A nutrition counter has also been set-up ahead of the academy’s grand opening, so the aspiring players can keep their bodies in peak condition.

“This is a great opportunity for young, local goalkeepers,” said the 26-year-old. “We want them to flourish here and they will be given the best chance. We have had many goalkeepers go on to sign deals with professional clubs and I am sure there will be many more.”

Neil has a rich pedigree in goalkeeping. Having played for Charlton Athletic and England Schoolboys before representing a host of non-league clubs including Bowers & Pitsea, East Thurrock United, Harlow Town, Tonbridge Angels, Redbridge, AFC Sudbury and Basildon United, he is now looking to pass on his years of experience to up-and-coming goalkeepers.

A bricklayer by day, Neil says he turned down a host of full-time positions at professional clubs to keep his dream alive and coach young stoppers, since he took his coaching badges in 2009.

And, having set up his own company, the former Dagenham & Redbridge keeper coach has secured premises next to the Billericay Dog Training School and has called on young footballers to come and try their hand at goalkeeping.

Neil says Tim Brown, West Ham United’s goalkeeper who is on loan at Canvey Island, and Harry Girling, who signed forms with Millwall last summer, are keepers who have benefited from his guidance.

“We have been based in Markhams Chase in recent years although we have been training youngsters at Barleylands for the past year. I just want to get them on the pitch and playing.”

Neil has been employed in Slovenia, Italy and Spain as a goalkeeping coach, training coaches as they strive to secure their UEFA A and B licences, and he says employing a foreign mentality is important to the player’s development.

“If you look at the Premier League 80 per cent of the goalkeepers are foreign and that should tell you they are doing things the right way abroad. When I am in Spain there are coaches from all across Europe teaching and that is a good philosophy.

“I want people to follow my syllabus where we look at everything from footwork to distribution and also the mental side of things.

“The classes will be split between beginners, intermediate and expert as the weeks go on. But I am confident we will have young male and female goalkeepers of all ages flourish here.”

The grand opening of the academy will be Sunday, February 22 from 5pm. Neil says special guests will include Scott Loach, Peterborough United stopper, Lee Harrison, West Ham United goalkeeping coach, as well as a nutritionist and sports psychologist.

Entry for the taster session is free, and for more information on Neil’s academy contact www.pro-1goalkeepingacademy.com or call Neil on 07432547552.