Before Alan’s tactics and training sessions can pay off, it’s the keeper who sets the tone. For Declan Taylor, that means early starts, loud calls, and the occasional bruised elbow. The Vale AFC stopper sat down with us for a goalkeeper special — talking nerves, rituals, and why he’ll always pull the gloves on first.
Name. Declan Taylor
Age: 29
Clubs – Vale Fc, Cardross AFC
At what age & how did you ended up being a goalkeeper?
I was around 8-9 when I started to take an interest in football and as it naturally happens the worst player gets put in goals in school. Since then I found a love for the position and any time I play football now I am the first to pull the gloves on.
I absolutely hate it when I concede a goal I know I shouldn’t have but on the other hand there’s no better feeling as a keeper than saving a shot nobody thought you had a chance at.
Do you have any goalkeeper pre match rituals you have stuck to over the years?
Not sure if I do it deliberately or if it’s a ritual but I always put my kit on right side first.
What is your plan/tactics at penalty kicks & how have you fared over the years?
For me penalties are 10% technique and 90% luck. But I try to delay as long as possible within reason to give the taker a chance to second guess themselves and then I don’t break eye contact to try and get a read on where they want to put it.
I’ve mad a mixed bag in terms of success with penalties over the years however this season I’m at 50% scored 50% which I think most keepers would take with penalty kicks being assumed to be a sure thing.
Goalkeepers often have to be vocal, are you a vocal keeper?
I try to be however this is certainly a part of my game I look to improve. Especially when it comes to the relationship you have with your defenders in front of you.
Can you describe a standout save or moment in your career?
The only one in particular is when an opposition team was recording the game and you can hear during their team talk they never rated my ability at all. Only for them to start asking each other “how the hell has he saved that” 10 minutes into the second half.
All you can do is learn from it and try to improve so that it doesn’t happen again. I have every faith in the 10 players in front of me that if I do my job then they’ll do theirs and we can continue to win games.
Are you a traditional shot-stopping keeper or a modern sweeper-keeper style?
Definitely more of a sweeper. With the way we like to play as a team it demands a higher starting position from myself as well as being confident with my feet to distribute the ball across the field.
What advice would you give to young goalkeepers just starting out?
Don’t be afraid to get dirty, it’s the best part. And when mistakes happen forget about them as when you chose to be a goalkeeper it’s the only position on the park that demands you be perfect for 90 minutes.
Do you think amateur referees protect goalkeepers enough?
I do, sometimes at their own peril. And as a qualified referee myself they have all the sympathy in the world as it is very often a thankless job.
What is the worst bit of time wasting you have saw a goalkeeper implement (which of course you would never do) ?
I haven’t witnessed anything outrageous personally but the standard is waiting on the striker pressing before picking the ball up and taking goal kicks from the opposite side from where it went out of play.
How do you rate your outfielder skills and what position would you play?
I simply do not have the legs for outfield so let’s just leave it at that.
Goalkeepers live in their own world — part shot-stopper, part organiser, part daredevil. Declan sums up that balance perfectly: calm under pressure, honest in reflection, and always first to volunteer for the hard shifts.
Footy Focus season 25/26 
Leave a comment