September's safest hands named!

Maidstone United keeper Lee Worgan, Josh James at Burgess Hill Town and Thurrock’s Andy Walker have been named as September’s winners of the Ryman League’s Precision Golden Gloves Awards.

The trio are the second winners of this season’s monthly honours for keepers in the Ryman Premier, Ryman South and Ryman North respectively.

The ‘safe hands’ accolade returned last season with new sponsors from Nottingham-based Reydon Sports PLC - the UK's largest sports and leisure wholesale and distribution company. They are sponsoring the monthly accolades through their Precision Goalkeeping brand and the keepers will each receive a pair of Precision Goalkeeping gloves with the prizes provided by ProKit UK, the nominated retailer administering the awards on behalf of Precision Training.

Former Welsh U19 and U20 international Worgan joined the Stones in March 2013 and was named as the top flight’s top stopper after conceding just four times in September during six wins and a single defeat for the title challengers.

The 30-year-old kicked off his career at Wimbledon before going on to play for Rushden & Diamonds, Cardiff City, Eastbourne Borough, Hastings United and Tonbridge Angels. In his debut season at Maidstone, he pulled off a clean sweep at the club’s annual awards when he collected the player of the season laurels from supporters, his team-mates and manager Jay Saunders.

Like Worgan, Hillians keeper James only conceded four goals last month during six wins for the table-toppers to take the Ryman South award.

The 21-year-old was on the books of Brighton as a youngster and signed on at the Green Elephants Stadium in the summer from Sussex County League outfit Ringmer. Described as an excellent shot-stopper, he previously played in the Ryman League with Worthing and has also turned out for Peacehaven & Telscombe.

Thurrock’s Walker conceded seven goals during four wins, two draws and a single defeat to earn the Ryman North keeper's honour.

After kicking off his career at Colchester United in 1998, the 32-year-old played professionally for Colchester United and Exeter City and also had a stint at Doncaster Rover. Since then he’s been between the posts in Non-League at Tonbridge Angels, Wingate & Finchley, Bromley, Maidstone United, Billericay and Cray Wanderers.

Precision Goalkeeping boast an impressive list of keeping talent on their books including Kasper Schmeichel, Kieren Westwood, Tomasz Kuszczak, Darren Randolph, David Forde, Frank Fielding, Brian Jensen, Robert Olejnik, Andy Lonergan, Ian McLoughlin, Trevor Carson and Republic of Ireland goalkeeping coach and former international Alan Kelly.

Former England manager Graham Taylor is lead ‘brand ambassador’ for the company which was established in 2005 and also has official partnerships with the Irish Football Association and the Football Association of Wales.

For further information on Precision Goalkeeping visit: www.precisiontraining.uk.com.