Millwall’s new goalkeeper coach expects graft – or stoppers will not play

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

Lee Turner was appointed as Millwall’s new goalkeeping coach yesterday – with the club’s shotstoppers needing to follow his rules or face not playing.

We exclusively revealed at the start of last week that the 48-year-old, who stepped down from his role at Charlton Athletic in May, was heading to the Den outfit.

Turner replaces Kevin Pressman in Neil Harris’ backroom team.

“Kevin has been a great servant to our club,” said Harris. “He is a really good football man and I’ve enjoyed working with him.

“He travelled quite a distance to work for us – his family are still in Chesterfield and he did six-and-a-half years here. Everyone decided it was time for a fresh start for him.

“We had to find someone who could come and work with our up-and-coming goalkeepers – Jordan [Archer], Tom [King] and Ryan Sandford – and an experienced one in David [Martin]. 

“We looked at various options and Lee has got an excellent record of working with young goalkeepers and has a tremendous reputation within the game for his work ethic and drive to make people better. Where we are at the moment, I feel it is exactly what we need.

“He is a great addition to the staff.”

Turner provided support to Ben Amos last season – who flourished during his season-long loan from Bolton Wanderers. And he also helped develop Nick Pope, who earned a Premier League move to Burnley and is part of England’s World Cup squad.

“Nick Pope is his most high-profile success but there are various other goalkeepers he has had during his coaching at Bolton and Palace,” said Harris.

“He gets the best out of goalkeepers, which is important. His work ethic and philosophy is very similar to myself – it’s his tempo and his work ethic or you don’t play. That’s exactly how I like to work.

“It’s important that the traits we have in our Millwall starting 11 then run right through the club.”