’Keeper keeps on coming

Press, 8 September 1978, Page 24

’Keeper keeps on coming

Keith Bowley, the Stop Out goal-keeper, will tomorrow become one of the few players who have appeared in Christchurch twice in one season with different Rothmans Soccer League clubs. Bowley, a familiar face in Christchurch, will be playing against Trans Tours United at English Park. He was United’s goal-keeper last season.

Earlier this year, Bowley played for Hamilton in its 4-2 loss to United. The New Zealand Football Association rules state that no player may switch Rothmans League clubs during a season without the permission of both clubs. With clubs often reluctant to assist their opposition, it is relatively rare for this process to be used.

However, the Stop Out player-coach, Maurice Tillotson, confirmed last evening that no “shady dealings” were entered into. Bowley was with Stop Out early in the season before joining

Hamilton. He rejoined the Lower Hutt side just before the transfer deadline of June 30. This was done with the agreement of both clubs. Since rejoining, Bowley has been living in Gisborne but his services have not been required for Stop Out, with the incumbent, Barry Pickering, in fine form. Now that Pickering is in South Korea with the national team, Bowley will step into the position, proof that Tillotson has at his disposal two of the country’s best goal-keepers. “I was worried at having no cover for Pickering so I have kept Bowley as a sort of insurance policy,” said Tillotson. ! *While he has been in Gisborne he has been under registration with

The popular Tillotson, a former national reperesentative, will himself not be playing tomorrow. He has a hamstring injury which has forced him to miss the last two matches. “I’m getting too old,” he said.