Today on the podcast, I’m joined by Aberdeen F.C. goalkeeper Joe Lewis.
Joe had always loved being a goalkeeper since finding his passion for football at a young age, humorously adding that “every goalkeeper you speak to will always fancy themselves as a striker or an outfield player.” Among his role models were his own father and brother who were keen athletes in their own right, as well as fellow goalkeeper Robert Green.
He speaks about the discipline that was quickly instilled within him once he began his career in football, starting with Norwich City as a substitute goalkeeper before officially turning professional in October 2004.
He recalls that “you get verbally - battered if your boots weren’t clean.” Joe loved every minute of it, saying that his strict, routine-heavy days made him truly feel “involved” with the rest of the team.
Joe signed for Peterborough United on 8 January 2008 and stayed on with them for the next four years before agreeing to a three-year deal at Welsh club Cardiff City on 25 May 2012. Finally, he joined Aberdeen on 15 June 2016.
Joe discusses where he stands as a goalkeeper relative to the rest of the players, not to mention his coach and manager. He cites patience as one quality that successful goalkeepers uniquely must possess by nature of their role on the pitch. Just as important is making the effort to build rapport with team members in order to nurture that symbiotic relationship that is invaluable at game time.
To young players who haven’t quite gotten their big break yet, Joe encourages them to nurture the drive that motivated them to pursue a football career in the first place. Maintaining that drive is difficult as a 16 or 17 year old when they are forced to contend with the aforementioned day-to-day realities of being a professional footballer. That is where the virtue of patience once again becomes a useful skill to cultivate.
In Joe’s words: “Just have the mentality that, ‘Even if I’m not getting that opportunity, how can I get better?’ What’s stopping you from getting to where you want to go, and what can you do to get there?”
TIMESTAMP:
[00:37] Navigating the current break
[04:45] Becoming a goalkeeper
[08:59] Lessons in discipline as a professional footballer
[13:58] The importance of having family support in your first year as a professional footballer
[17:01] Making his debut at Norwich
[19:45] Why patience and relationship-buildingare vital as a goalkeeper
[27:19] How the goalkeeper can work successfully with the defensive unit
[29:09] Joe’s journey from Norwich to Aberdeen
[38:45] Choosing which club was right for him
[42:35] Joe’s advice to young players who haven’t had their big break yet
Learn more about Joe Lewis:
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