Last week saw Brighton and Hove Albion goalkeeping coach John Keeley depart to pastures new at Premiership Portsmouth where he will take up a similar role in their academy.
Although it presents a great opportunity for him, he has been quoted as saying that deciding to leave was a ‘hard decision` to make. Likewise the Albion will be very sorry to see him go. He has built up a great affinity with the club he served with distinction both as a player and coach.
John was originally signed by Allan Mullery back in 1986 for a bargain price of just £1500 from Chelmsford City. A reliable shot stopper, he was popular with both fans and his team mates who nicknamed him ‘Limahl` due to the similarity in likeness to the Kajagoogoo singer! He went on to make over 150 appearances for the Seagulls and was an ever present in the glorious 1987/88 Division 3 promotion season.
Due to financial constraints, he was sold to Oldham in 1990 for £240,000. Keeley enjoyed a successful spell with the Latics before going on to play for various clubs including Southend, Oxford and Worthing before returning to the Albion as Kit Man in 2001.
In 2004 he was appointed Goalkeeping Coach and has proved a big success in the role. Michel Kuipers,Wayne Henderson and Scott Flinders are among those who have benefited from his knowledge and experience
A truly great servant of the club, he will be sorely missed. We would like to thank him for some great memories and wish him every success in the future.
By Stuart Davis
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