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Scott Morris (Retired)

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Posted January 16, 2024 23:49 · last edited January 17, 2024 02:38

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/350149169/kiwi-goalkeeper-scott-morris-signs-english-club-stoke-city

And some stuff here from Niche Cache. Not much new, but a reminder Adam Watson (NZ U17s) is also at Stoke City.

It seems we’re not going to get proper transfer confirmation which isn’t too abnormal for a reserve team signing, but check that bench and you’ll see #13 Scott Morris. The former Christchurch United goalie who has been on trial with Stoke City since before Christmas, missing the last couple of National League games to chase the dream.

Jonathan Gould was the goalkeeping coach at Stoke City until very recently (when a new manager came in bringing a bunch of his own staff - that being Ben Waine’s old Plymouth boss Steven Schumacher) so there’s an easy link as to how this opportunity arose. More specifically: Morris was coached by Paul Ifill at CUFC who crossed over with Gould at the Wellington Phoenix and Hawke’s Bay United. Stoke City is also home to NZ U17s striker Adam Watson although he’s a further step down the ladder with the U18s for now.

Morris was only on the bench for this game as Stoke won 5-1 against Manchester City. Cameroonian prospect Blondy Nna Noukeu wore the gloves, hopefully he and Morris get rotated around but we’ll see how it goes. The path for both had been cleared when Tommy Simkin, their best U21s goalie who made an appearance for the first team earlier this season, was loaned out to Forest Green Rovers last week. A move that nudged NZ’s Jamie Searle out of their latest matchday squad, therefore potentially also foretelling a loan move for Searle. There’s more context on that in our latest Substack email.

But yeah, a great gig for Morris who ensures his name remains firmly in the hat for the upcoming Olympics. Picking three U23 goalies out of a pool that includes: Alex Paulsen, Henry Gray, Kees Sims, Alby Kelly-Heald, Scott Morris, and a plethora of domestic dudes beneath that pro realm. No easy task. At least coach Darren Bazeley doesn’t have to worry about Zac Jones or Jamie Searle who each miss out on the cut-off age by less than two months. 



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Unknown editor edited January 17, 2024 02:38
Some stuff here from Niche Cache. Not much new, but a reminder Adam Watson (NZ U17s) is also at Stoke.

It seems we’re not going to get proper transfer confirmation which isn’t too abnormal for a reserve team signing, but check that bench and you’ll see #13 Scott Morris. The former Christchurch United goalie who has been on trial with Stoke City since before Christmas, missing the last couple of National League games to chase the dream.

Jonathan Gould was the goalkeeping coach at Stoke City until very recently (when a new manager came in bringing a bunch of his own staff - that being Ben Waine’s old Plymouth boss Steven Schumacher) so there’s an easy link as to how this opportunity arose. More specifically: Morris was coached by Paul Ifill at CUFC who crossed over with Gould at the Wellington Phoenix and Hawke’s Bay United. Stoke City is also home to NZ U17s striker Adam Watson although he’s a further step down the ladder with the U18s for now.

Morris was only on the bench for this game as Stoke won 5-1 against Manchester City. Cameroonian prospect Blondy Nna Noukeu wore the gloves, hopefully he and Morris get rotated around but we’ll see how it goes. The path for both had been cleared when Tommy Simkin, their best U21s goalie who made an appearance for the first team earlier this season, was loaned out to Forest Green Rovers last week. A move that nudged NZ’s Jamie Searle out of their latest matchday squad, therefore potentially also foretelling a loan move for Searle. There’s more context on that in our latest Substack email.

But yeah, a great gig for Morris who ensures his name remains firmly in the hat for the upcoming Olympics. Picking three U23 goalies out of a pool that includes: Alex Paulsen, Henry Gray, Kees Sims, Alby Kelly-Heald, Scott Morris, and a plethora of domestic dudes beneath that pro realm. No easy task. At least coach Darren Bazeley doesn’t have to worry about Zac Jones or Jamie Searle who each miss out on the cut-off age by less than two months.