Goalkeeper Northwood begins search for a new Kent club - EXCLUSIVE

Goalkeeper Steve Northwood is looking to return to Kent after a frustrating four months playing in Essex, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Dartford based goalkeeper, a salesman who works from home, left Ryman League Division One South club Cray Wanderers during the close season to pursue Ryman Premier League football.

But the 30-year-old had to fight for the number one jersey at Heybridge Swifts, along with Ollie Morris-Sanders who, along with the former Thamesmead Town goalkeeper, had signed for the Scraley Road outfit in the summer.

“I had a good pre-season with Heybridge,” reflected Northwood, when speaking EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“I went there under no illusions with what was going on. They told me straight that they were going to sign two goalkeepers.

“Heybridge told us they were going to sign both of us and it would be a straight shoot-out who would play. We would play on merit and nothing else.”

However, Northwood lost his place in the first-team, having picked up a wrist injury towards the end of pre-season.

“I sat on the bench for five games and then was given an opportunity to play,” recalled Northwood.

“I played six games and then got injured, a groin injury, in the warm-up in the FA Cup game at Erith Town.

“Then from there the side was playing ok, defending well so I didn’t get a look in, playing Essex Senior Cup and Ryman League Cup games.

“I’ve got no aversions of sitting on the bench, that was always going to be the case, and who ever was doing well played.

“I didn’t mind sitting on the bench until towards the end, when I didn’t look like getting a game.

“The side weren’t really looking to concede a goal. You can’t drop someone whose doing allright and not conceding goals.

“The travelling was never an issue playing for Heybridge but when you’re not playing, it becomes a long journey!”

Next step for Northwood was a two-game spell with Rebridge, helping the Essex side to a 2-1 win over Dartford on 17^th December, before he conceded two goals during a 3-2 defeat to Enfield Town just three days later.

Northwood, however, remained tight-lipped regarding his short stint at Oakside Stadium in Barkingside.

“I’ve got to be honest, I don’t want it in print what was said between me and the manager, it’s between us,” he said. And he added: “It wasn’t the right move for me.”

Since then Northwood has been training with Ryman League Division One North leaders Dartford in a bid to retain his fitness.

“I want to get playing again as soon as possible,” vowed Northwood. “I’ve not changed my opinion since the last time we spoke.

“I want to play Ryman League not Kent League football as I’ve got a lot to offer at Ryman League level.

“I’ve got bags of experience having played over 150 games in the Ryman League. I’m still relatively young, still got a lot of enthusiasm for the game.

“I had an opportunity to play in the Premier at Heybridge and took the opportunity and when I played, I played well enough, I played ok and certainly didn’t let anyone down, but it just wasn’t to be.”

Northwood thanked Darts boss Tony Burman and highly-respected goalkeeping coach John Macrae for allowing him to train at Princes Park since leaving Redbridge.

“I’m grateful to John and Tony for letting me train there,” said Northwood.

“I’ve got a lot of friends in their fan-base and used to watch Dartford when I was younger and grew up with Dartford.

“I spoke to Dartford at the end of last season when I left Cray and it was case of if I didn’t find anyone that I could go there and train.

And he added: “What I don’t want to do is travel a 150-mile round trip just to watch a game every week.”