| NEW KEEPER CRISIS AT BIRMINGHAM SIGNALS STUNNING
RETURN TO THE SOCCER STAGE BY CLEMENCE |
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Steve Bruce's Birmingham ran into a keeper crisis on Monday when Ian Bennett
broke a thumb and new signing Andy Marriott went down with suspected
appendicitis. A few frantic hours later Birmingham had secured the
temporary services of ex-Scunthorpe, Liverpool and Spurs keeper Ray
Clemence. Clemence retired from professional football in 1987, but has
stayed in close touch with today's game with his coaching duties for England
and others. During a hallowed career Clemence helped Liverpool to 11
trophies in 14 years, and went on to make 330 appearances at Tottenham
Hotspur.
A delighted Steve Bruce said that he was relieved to have Ray on his staff but
added that "Ray and I have agreed that this arrangement is only until the
end of the season." "We have seen Ray at Wast Hills on several
occasions since we signed son Stephen Clemence, and it was evident to me that
his ankle tendon was no longer an issue. So as soon as this new keeper
situation flared up I had no hesitation in going after Ray."
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Clemence
on duty with the England squad in Korea last year |
Clemence goes straight into the Birmingham
side when they visit his former club Spurs on Saturday, pending completion of
his registration with the Football League. Asked if he was ready for this
sudden return, Clemence responded, "I must admit I'm nervous at the
moment, but I'll be OK when I step onto the pitch." Son Stephen,
also ex-Spurs, signed for Birmingham during the January transfer window and
scored the opener in the win versus Liverpool last month and this will be their
first appearance together as professionals.
| Stephen's
response to the news was to relate to an incident when Ray was at
Liverpool. "Dad told me about a game at Anfield v Birmingham in the
70's when Birmingham scored the 'winner' for a 4-3 win. Dad had mis-judged
the bounce and it went in over his head, but the ref - daft bugger that
he was - disallowed the goal. The Pool then went to the other end of the
field and got their fourth. I told him at lunch today that if he mis-judges
the bounce at White Hart Lane I'll kick his antique arse all the way
back to Broxbourne!" [where the elder Clemence resides] |
Flashback: Stephen Clemence with Dad
Ray after signing Schoolboy forms in 1993.
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He added, "Dad has
been down at Wast Hills a lot lately and besides giving Nico,
Ian and Andy some useful tips he has got Darren Carter's Mum
making some useful saves. In fact we had a serious practice game
the other day and she saved a penalty . . . the congratulatory
hug actually felt pretty good!" I
asked where each of them thought Birmingham would finish this
season, and they gave different answers . . . "Above the
Villa" thought Stephen, and Ray responded with "With
more points than Aston Villa." Stephen Clemence's
wife April was first to hear the predictions and thought both of
'em were such fools.
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| Last Updated: 1 Apr 2003 |
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