Player interview - Stuart Searle

A familiar face came out of retirement recently as goalkeeper Stuart Searle answered our distress call before the recent home game against South Park, writes James Barrett.

We faced a goalkeeping crisis just 24 hours before that game as regular shot-stopper Alex Kozakis was injured and the on-loan Billy Bishop was recalled by Hampton & Richmond Borough less than a week into his stay at Colston Avenue.

Searle kept a clean sheet during his
return to Colston Avenue

But 37-year old Searle, who last played a competitive first-team match two years ago, dusted off his gloves to help us keep up our Ryman Division One South promotion aspirations.

"I wasn't nervous at the prospect, I just hoped my body wouldn't let me down," smiled Searle.

"It all happened rather quickly - I received calls from Paul Dipre and my old Carshalton goalkeeping coach Les Cleevely on the Friday afternoon. Thankfully I had the weekend free and, after a little consideration, I was only too happy to help out my old club."

Searle, during a career that has also seen him at Chelsea, Watford and MK Dons, had previously made over 350 appearances as a Robin and this latest one ended with a clean sheet as Tommy Bradford's 22nd minute free kick was enough to separate the two sides.

"The first 15 minutes were quite frenetic but I settled into it after that," he added. "It was pleasure playing with a team that wants to pass and move, and I had to make a couple of saves - it was an enjoyable experience.

"But there was an article in the programme that highlighted a match from 15 years ago and my name was in it! It's a young man's game and I won't be making a habit of doing this."

As Searle continues a fruitful coaching career with Chelsea Ladies, plus he managed Met Police Youth to the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup earlier this year, he didn't rule out returning to his local club one day in that capacity.

"Peter Adeniyi's footballing philosophy is appealing to me, plus the club backs its academy by giving talented youngsters a chance which is fantastic.

"There is always room for improvement but I was very impressed with the players in front of me against South Park. I'd be happy to offer my services to the club if there were opportunities in the future."