SCOTT LOACH'S six-year-old son Arlo was a big hit at show-and-tell in school last week as he proudly shared pictures of his dad in England kit.
For the 33-year-old Chesterfield goalkeeper himself, an England C call was a proud moment, not least because of his children – he also has two daughters Alma and Avie.
As footballers get older and careers go on, motivations change. Loach is no different with a young family he wants to make proud, something he got to share with the rest of Paul Fairclough's Three Lions squad in Wales.
Despite the result not going the way they wanted – Wales C stunned England to win 4-0 – the squad experience was still a positive one and it all starts with bonding sessions that encourage players to open up.
“I had the gaffer for a brief spell at Barnet and he did the same there,” Loach tells The NLP, from the hotel the night before the game. “It gets you to open about your whole life, not just your football career.
“People kind of laugh it off, but until you're in that actual moment and you see people open up to each other – standing in front of group of lads is never easy – it just flows out naturally.
Motivation
“After 24 hours everyone knows what kind of person they are dealing with, what makes them tick, what the motivation is – little things, whether it's family members, or kids, or just wanting to be the best you can be. It's a really unique way of getting lads together really quickly.
“I have been on camps before where you're away for ten days and you're in your room seven hours a day. The way it is done with England C is it makes you get along with it and enjoy it.
“For me personally, I've got three kids, and some of the things I came out with people will maybe look at me and say, ‘Ah, that's what makes him tick'. Everyone has got their own little story.”
Loach's story includes Championship football with Watford, an England U21 regular and two call-ups to Fabio Capello's senior squad.
Last season he was at Barnet and, after being placed on furlough, was picked up by Chesterfield where he continues to establish himself as one of the National League's most consistent shot-stoppers.
“I don't think you have a choice,” the former Hartlepool United keeper says. “There are so many good goalkeepers in the league – it's frightening, the standard.
“Ryan Boot, who is here with England, Hinchy (Stockport's Ben Hinchliffe), Steve Arnold at Southend, Slocombe at Notts County, RobLainton at Wrexham –Icouldgo through at leastanother ten.
“I'm a big believer there isn't any such thing as the best keeper because every one is completely different. They all have their own little traits or specialities.
“That's why I've got to be consistent. You have to be. And that's what I try to work on. I'm not one of these who is going to pull up any trees or be over the top. But I'd like to think I stay at a steady level week-in, week-out.”
England recognition was testament to that. Ahead of celebrating his 500th game, he found out he'd was a beneficiary of the C squad becoming open age again.
“It was my 500th game against Southend so I was already buzzing when I went in. My goalie coach pulled me and said, ‘Random question, when did you last play for England?'” Loach says.
Relevant
“Obviously I was lucky enough to be in the U21 squads and when he said I was go- ing with England C, honestly,it was the same feeling I'd had anywhere else.
“I've got a few mates in football who get onto me and call me busy because I just love goalkeeping. I don't care what people think, to put the England badge on again and show my kids is a really good feeling.”
Now attention has turned back to trying to help Chesterfield's promotion push back to the Football League and maintain the fire to keep performing.
“It's a job I love to pieces but it's about sustaining that career for as long as I can,” he says.
“I'm 33 but I still think, for a goalie, I've got a good few years left and if I can play as high as I can and keep doing things like this (England C) it keeps you relevant –I think that's massive in football, staying in the eye.
“Obviously I'm grateful to such a big club like Chesterfield taking me off furlough and giving me the opportunity to play. I just want to repay that. Not just to them, but to tell myself: You can still do this, just keep going.”
