Lambs’ Jas hands are safest in game!

Jas Singh – Tamworth

Reusch Goalkeeper of the Year

CHAMPION STOPPER: Jas Singh leads the Tamworth celebrations after they won National League North

WHAT season it has been for Tamworth goalkeeper Jas Singh.

Playing back at Step 2 after the Lambs stormed to the Southern League Premier Central title last season, Singh impressed from the off as Andy Peaks’ men continued their fine form.

And it culminated in one of the biggest success stories of the season as Tamworth went from strength to strength and took the National League North title at their first attempt, leaving big-spending pre-season favourites Scunthorpe United in their wake.

Conceding only 29 goals from their 46 games, at an average of 0.63 goals a game, Singh, the former Kidderminster, Gloucester City and AFC Telford United keeper, kept 26 clean sheets in all (25 in the league, and one in the FA Cup) and went the longest period of time in Non-League football this season without conceding; a total of 910 minutes.

At 34, Singh is back playing in the top-flight of Non-League football for only the second time in his career. He returns with the Reusch Goalkeeper of the Year Award in his safe hands.

Singh said: “Receiving this award is the cherry on top of the cream on top of the banana on top of the cake! It just gets better and better.

“I’m very honoured and very privileged to have won the award after what’s been a special season.”

And Singh hailed the team-mates in front of him.

“No-one gave us a chance but we turned up and proved people wrong,” he said. “We’ve got a real togetherness in the group and the gaffer’s managed to re-sign the majority of the team for next season too. It’s been a proper team effort and although I’m getting the plaudits, everyone understands we’ve all been in it together.

“Goalkeepers don’t always get the praise, especially when a team has been so successful and I think that makes it all the more special, the fact that we haven’t had a 20-25 goal striker this season. It’s been a real collective effort and everyone has played their part.

“We added Jordan Cullinane-Liburd this year and he’s been immense, and we’ve had players come in to help keep us steady. Our right-back is a seven out of ten every week which goes unnoticed sometimes, but not within the group. Having that understanding in defence has been a huge part of our success.”