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Hi there and welcome to KeeperstarsUK and to myself Vince Bartram.
Born in Birmingham on the 7th August 1968 I grew up watching the West Bromwich Albion side of the late 1970's- early 80's. I didn't start playing in goal until I was 13, then at 17 while playing for a small non-league team in the Dudley area I was spotted by Wolves and signed for them in 1985. I spent 6 seasons at Wolves learning my trade going out on loan to Cheltenham and Blackpool before signing for Harry Redknapp at Bournemouth.
I had 3 seasons at Bournemouth making a name for myself as 1st choice Goalkeeper before I got my big move. Arsenal signed me for £250,000 to go as number 2 to the then England goalie David Seaman.
After 4 seasons at Arsenal and going out on loan to Huddersfield and Wolves I signed for Gillingham and had 6 succesful seasons there, including 2 Wembley play-off games, before retiring at 35 due to a wrist injury.
In my time I was lucky to work with some of the biggest names in football and goalkeeping. My managers included Harry Redknapp, George Graham and Arsene Wenger and Goalkeeping coaches Bob Wilson and Eric Steele ( the 2 people I base my goalkeeping philosophy around). Keepers I worked with include David Seaman, John Lukic and Tim Flowers.
I now live in Bournemouth with my wife Tracy and our two boys Miles and Heath. I am a fully qualified FA level 3 coach, have a fully enhanced CRB and have FA Emergency First Aid and FA Child Protection certificates. As well as running KeeperstarsUK and SoccerstarsUK, I am a Goalkeeping Coach for Portsmouth F.C. at their Academy and development centre, coaching the goalkeepers from under 7's up to under 16's. I love working with the youngsters, seeing them develop and passing on a bit of what I learnt in my time as a Professional Goalkeeper.
Cheers,
Vince
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