EX-spiller: Shane Higgs

[Promotion 2010]

Keeper Higgs living his football dream

ambition: Leeds goalkeeper Shane Higgs clears the ball from Yeovil's Steven Caulker as Leeds captain Richard Naylor looks during the League One game on April 5

< Previous  1 2 Next > FORMER Cheltenham Town goalkeeper Shane Higgs is set to achieve a long-term ambition next season as he climbs into the Coca-Championship with Leeds United.

Despite missing a large chunk of last season with a thigh injury, Higgs played a major part in Leeds' promotion as runners-up to champions Norwich City.

He firmly established himself as number one at Elland Road, with his main rival Casper Ankergren released at the end of the campaign.

Throughout Higgs' decade at Cheltenham, he harboured ambitions of making it to English football's second tier and at the age of 33, he will finally get the chance to test himself against the likes of Portsmouth, Middlesbrough and Hull City in the Championship during the 2010-11 campaign.

Higgs said: "It's been a mixed season for me because I spent five or six months out after tearing my thigh, but I got through it and got back into the side.

"I worked so hard and it paid off because we finished the season with promotion, so roll on next year.

"I will go in, work hard to keep my place and try and get Championship games under my belt."

Higgs played against Liverpool in the Carling Cup as Leeds lost 1-0 to the Premier League club at a packed Elland Road, with David Ngog netting the winner.

He started the final match of the campaign against his first professional club Bristol Rovers as Leeds won 2-1 to secure automatic promotion.

He described the atmosphere created by nearly 40,000 fanatical supporters as 'immense'.

"We had a full house against Liverpool in the Carling Cup, so when it came to the last game of the season, you knew what it was going to be like," said Higgs.

"You couldn't hear yourself think it was that loud.

"We had a player sent off, which made it difficult for us, they went 1-0 up and you could hear our fans getting on our back.

"But as soon as we got the goal, it was an unbelievable feeling and the noise was immense.

"We got the second and we needed it as Millwall beat Swindon."

Higgs returned to Cheltenham to play in Shane Duff's testimonial match last Saturday and he was asked to sign a shirt by Leeds fans.

"The size of the club has been proven all year because I have had fans coming up to me wherever I go," Higgs said.

"On Saturday I signed things for Leeds fans at a Cheltenham testimonial game and it's a huge fan base â€" you realise that when you are away from the place.

"It has got to be in the top six clubs in the country overall."

Higgs' move to Leeds was helped by his outstanding individual displays against them as Cheltenham recorded an improbable double over them in 2007-08.

Leeds' goalkeeping coach Andy Beasley, a former Cheltenham loan player, was impressed enough to help bring him to West Yorkshire.

"Beas is a bit old school, but I don't mind that and it is good to have a coach every day of the week and he was very supportive while I was injured," said Higgs.

Higgs' successor as Cheltenham's number one Scott Brown is currently considering the offer of a new contract and Higgs has backed him to remain at Whaddon Road.

"I have had a little chat with Browny and his contract up, but hopefully he will stay and do well for them," Higgs added.

http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/sport/Keeper-Higgs-living-football-dream/article-2179417-detail/article.html

[Per-Stian]

Ser ut til at Higgs får konkurranse frå ungguten Szczesny frå Arsenal neste sesong.

http://www.leedsunited-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/loan_deal_for_international_keeper_528129/index.shtml