Chris Kirkland joins Colne F.C. as Head Goalkeeper Coach!

Colne F.C. can announce that Chris Kirkland has agreed to join the club as Head Goalkeeper Coach in Nathan Rooney’s new look backroom team, alongside current GK Coach, Steve Petty, who has also agreed terms for the coming season.

As a player Chris made 321 league and cup appearances in an 18-year professional career from 1998 to 2016, and won one cap for the English National Team in 2006.

Kirkland started his career at Coventry City where he was regarded as one of the country's most promising young goalkeepers. He was later signed by Premier League club Liverpool for £6 million in August 2001. Following retirement in August 2016, Kirkland took up coaching with Port Vale and subsequently joined the coaching staff of Liverpool Women where he stayed until March 2019. Rooney commented “I’m delighted we have managed to bring a coach with the reputation and experience of Chris to the club. Again, I think this emphasises the ambition and vision of the club and he will be a great addition to the club and provide support both on and off the pitch” Chairman Ryan Haigh added “I am thrilled at the appointment we have managed to make. Chris’ enthusiasm, passion and desire for the role and interest to be involved at this level of the pyramid impressed me from our first conversation. Nathan is building a brilliant team around him and together with our vision for the club and it’s future, I believe it speaks volumes that people with these reputations want to come to Colne F.C.. People will probably read this and wonder what’s happening at Colne F.C.! We want to be the best we can and the squad we are assembling gives us a chance when we eventually start again” Chris will join up with Nathan and the rest of the squad when training is once again safe to resume.