PRAISE your deity of choice. Or, if you’re not that way inclined, just be generally thankful.
Sheffield United have signed a new goalkeeper.
He is fresh in from Cardiff City, where he made 25 appearances after being signed from the Southampton academy.
Look, I’m in no way blaming the current goalkeeper, George Long, for our current woes (but I also kinda am):
Indeed.
And poor old George Long apparently comes from a whole line of dodgy Blades keepers:
Look at those eyes on the ball. Look at that firm-handed grip.
Des Thompson made 25 appearances for United between 1955 and 1964, before moving to Buxton, which was at that time, not the thriving hotbed of football stardom and celebrity that it still isn’t today.
Des’ brother George was also a goalkeeper, who played for Scunthorpe United, Preston North End, Manchester City and Carlisle United. And, their father (also George) was also a goalkeeper for Southampton.
In the 1929–30 Round 3 match at Bradford City, Thompson allowed a shot to crawl under his body after an awful defensive mix-up for Bradford’s first goal, with Saints going on to lose the match 4–1.
Keeping it in the family.