Spartans Goalie in England team
18 June 2007
Blyth Spartans’ goalkeeper Adam Bartlett was back at work this week after starring for the England C side in Finland.
The 21 year old played in Helsinki for what is the FA England non-league team. He returned to working as a coach at Newcastle United’s Academy for a few days before taking a well-deserved week away in Cyprus after a long season with the Spartans and the thrill of gaining an England cap.
“It was a tremendous experience to be part of an England set-up,” he said. “I travelled last Wednesday to London where I met the other lads. We were issued with all the official England “3 Lions” kit and had a team meeting so we could get to know each other. We had to stand up and give a brief history of who we were and who we played for. Then we were spilt in to pairs and were given set questions to ask each other to find out more.”
He continued “After flying out on Thursday we trained in Helsinki on Friday morning for an hour before another meeting to discuss team shape and set-pieces. That afternoon, before the game, we rested and were told that all the 16-man squad would be getting a game.
“At the end of the first half I was told that I was going to play the second half so, with Mike Payne the goalkeeping coach, I was able warm up. There wasn’t too much time to worry before the second half kicked off so that was good!”
Bartlett’s first piece of the action saw him with a one on one with a Finnish striker but Bartlett spread himself, and the shot came back off his chest and was cleared. “That was a real confidence builder,” he said.
“About 20 minutes from the end I had to save again, this time from a volley, and later I blocked another effort which ensured we won the game 1-0.”
The England opposition were in fact the Finnish Under 21 side that compete in the European Championships. “I don’t think they were best pleased to lose to us” he added.
“The lads were all buzzing after the game. We returned to our hotel where we weren’t allowed to leave. So we sat in the bar and watched the England versus Estonia game. It was great feeling part of that wider England “family”.
Bartlett didn’t feel out of place in an England C squad which was full of players coming from a higher level of non-league football – the national Conference. “No, not at all” he said. “The other lads just wanted everyone to fit in.”
What next for the Blyth keeper?
“ I think there is a tournament in the autumn where I hope I can be involved” he said.
Apart from Bartlett’s international aspirations Spartans fans will be interested in the player’s more immediate future. He has recently been on trial at several clubs and supporters will be desperately hoping that the England man pledges himself to the Croft Park club for next season.
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