Tom Heaton article in the Guardian

[tforturton]

Interesting article about our ex-keeper in the Guardian today. 1029 days without a game. Blimey.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/nov/26/tom-heaton-manchester-united-goalkeeper-interview

[RichardM]

Re: Tom Heaton article in the Guardian

Thanks, I enjoyed reading that.
I always wished he'd stayed longer at City.

[jon1959]

Re: Tom Heaton article in the Guardian

I always liked Tom Heaton when he was our player - but I liked his personality as well as his skill.

Heaton or Marshall - those were the days!

I remember him and his wife/girlfriend in with the Cardiff fans at Accrington in the year after he left. Cornelius injury, but we won 0 - 2.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/23776662

Former players who show their attachments like that (and there have been a good few) deserve a bit of extra love.

[Des Parrot]

Re: Tom Heaton article in the Guardian

I always liked Tom Heaton when he was our player - but I liked his personality as well as his skill.

Heaton or Marshall - those were the days!

I remember him and his wife/girlfriend in with the Cardiff fans at Accrington in the year after he left. Cornelius injury, but we won 0 - 2.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/23776662

Former players who show their attachments like that (and there have been a good few) deserve a bit of extra love.

I remember that, he’d just moved to Burnley I think. He was on our table at a player of the year do once, very humble, nice guy.

[TheBirchgrovePub]

Re: Tom Heaton article in the Guardian

Nice guy. If Marshall hadn’t been our keeper at the time he would’ve probably spent about 10 seasons with us and been a club legend

[JamesWales]

Re: Tom Heaton article in the Guardian

It does seem counterintuitive to be content being a footballer and not playing, but at his age he likely has a wife and kids and wants to settle somewhere. Man United no doubt helping him with coaching and post football options etc, and he's still probably on £25k a week so life ain't bad.

The one I don't get is Danny Ward - now at Wrexham - who has played little football his entire career, being understudy everywhere. I don't really understand that. I know that probably wasn't his plan, but still.

[Tuerto]

Re: Tom Heaton article in the Guardian

It does seem counterintuitive to be content being a footballer and not playing, but at his age he likely has a wife and kids and wants to settle somewhere. Man United no doubt helping him with coaching and post football options etc, and he's still probably on £25k a week so life ain't bad.

The one I don't get is Danny Ward - now at Wrexham - who has played little football his entire career, being understudy everywhere. I don't really understand that. I know that probably wasn't his plan, but still.

Suppose it depends on the wage drop if Ward and the like move on for first team football. If i was in their shoes then i'd think of the money rather than the appearances. A short career where maximising income is paramount. Mind you, if i'd have been good enough to have been a footballer then i'd have been a right bastard. No loyalty whatsoever. The only tean i couldn't play for is Swansea, the rest, no problem, highest bidder and all that. Thankfully it wasn't something i had to worry about because i was shit.

[Wash DC Blue]

Re: Tom Heaton article in the Guardian

It does seem counterintuitive to be content being a footballer and not playing, but at his age he likely has a wife and kids and wants to settle somewhere. Man United no doubt helping him with coaching and post football options etc, and he's still probably on £25k a week so life ain't bad.

The one I don't get is Danny Ward - now at Wrexham - who has played little football his entire career, being understudy everywhere. I don't really understand that. I know that probably wasn't his plan, but still.

It was frustrating as a Wales fan.
But he’s made his money, it is still a job after all.

[xsnaggle]

Re: Tom Heaton article in the Guardian

Suppose it depends on the wage drop if Ward and the like move on for first team football. If i was in their shoes then i'd think of the money rather than the appearances. A short career where maximising income is paramount. Mind you, if i'd have been good enough to have been a footballer then i'd have been a right bastard. No loyalty whatsoever. The only tean i couldn't play for is Swansea, the rest, no problem, highest bidder and all that. Thankfully it wasn't something i had to worry about because i was shit.

I bet you weren't as shit as me

[JamesWales]

Re: Tom Heaton article in the Guardian

Suppose it depends on the wage drop if Ward and the like move on for first team football. If i was in their shoes then i'd think of the money rather than the appearances. A short career where maximising income is paramount. Mind you, if i'd have been good enough to have been a footballer then i'd have been a right bastard. No loyalty whatsoever. The only tean i couldn't play for is Swansea, the rest, no problem, highest bidder and all that. Thankfully it wasn't something i had to worry about because i was shit.

Yeah. Money and financial stability count the most. But I think as a footballer at that level you can get both.

Id just view it as a bit of a waste really. It is different for keepers mind as there is obviously only one spot available etc so must be depressing if you can't break into the team.

Still, I think I'd rather play games and get £8k a week than sit on a bench and get £12k, esp as playing is how you get to a better club anyway.

I need to stop imagining I am Danny Ward with s time machine now though and go to bed.