Keeper award in safe hands with wily Dan

By James Reid

HANDS ON ROLE: Danny Lewis, left, receives his award

PICTURE: Gary House Photography

HE TURNED 40 yesterday, but Brackley Town goalkeeper Danny Lewis has just completed his best season yet.

The Saints stopper recorded 28 clean sheets last term and his efforts were recognised with the Reusch Goalkeeper of the Year award at the 2022 National Game Awards.

Lewis’ Brackley may have missed out on promotion despite a second-place finish in National League North but the former Kidderminster and Solihull Moors keeper can still reflect on a season to remember.

KEEPING IT REAL: Brackley keeper Danny Lewis

“It’s nice to get recognised at a national level,” Lewis said. “On a personal level, we kept 28 clean sheets which was more than I’ve ever kept in a season.

I normally set my tally at maybe 15 so to keep 28 was fantastic. “I’m sure in years to come, I’ll look at the award, look back and think what a fantastic season.”

Brackley conceded just 23 goals last term and Lewis was full of praise for his teammates in front of him who helped maintain their title push.

“It’s not just down to me, or even the defence,” he added. “We work hard in the midfi eld and forwards as well – we defend from the front.

“Ever since I’ve been at the club, I’ve got such good defenders. There’s games where I haven’t had anything to do.

“Hopefully we’ll be strong again at the back and maybe score a few more goals next year. “This is the time to go one better and just win it, not have the lottery of the play-offs.”

For Lewis, the award caps, arguably, his most successful season to date, but the veteran keeper admits he was surprised to have won the award given the strength of goalkeepers across Non-League.

“Yes, I was surprised when Matt (Badcock, NLP Editor) got in touch,” added Lewis.

“There’s fi ve or six top goalkeepers in the Conference North alone right now, it’s a competitive area now and there’s a lot of experience throughout teams.

There’s a lot of good keepers in the league.

“A lot of hard work goes on behind the scenes. We are still part-time, we train two nights a week so we have to train hard.

“We do a lot of analysis work, watching the other teams and trying to gain little margins to help give us an edge on a matchday. 

“Hopefully we can kick on. I think 28 clean sheets was a one-off, I’ll be happy with 20!”