Charlton Athletic goalkeeper on his idol as a kid and working with ‘brilliant and mad’ AFC Wimbledon goalkeeping coach Bayes
Charlton Athletic’s Will Mannion has described Wimbledon goalkeeping coach Ashley Bayes as “brilliant” in bringing the best out of young stoppers.
The Addicks number one worked with Bayes while he was a scholar with at the Dons.
Wimbledon ended up going to a tribunal to set a compensation figure after Hull City moved for the then teenager in 2016.
Asked about working with Bayes, Mannion told the South London Press: “He’s brilliant. He has worked with what are now a lot of top goalkeepers – Joe Bursik, Aaron Ramsdale, Matt Cox and Joe Whitworth.
“He is a mad bloke – but his enthusiasm and passion to want to develop these young keepers is massive.
“When I was there he had already been there 10 years. He must love the club and bringing up these young keepers.”
Mannion won England U19 honours against Netherlands.
“I was definitely really proud – walking out for the first time with the Three Lions on your chest,” he said.
“It was a surreal experience. England had Trent (Alexander-Arnold), Tom Davies and Cam Humphrys (now at Rotherham) who played against us the other weekend. Ramsdale was the other keeper (in the squad).”
Mannion was a Chelsea season-ticket holder as a kid.
“My favourite goalkeeper was Joe Hart growing up,” he said. “Back in the day the Chelsea team (he watched) was Lampard, Drogba and Terry. I had Petr Cech shirts when I was younger.”
Mannion has been an ever-present in League One for Charlton this season.
The Addicks are looking to bounce back from a 2-1 defeat at home to Blackpool last weekend when they head to Stevenage on Saturday.
“We want to be in the mix and try to keep the results coming,” said Mannion, speaking before the loss to the Seasiders. “We can’t get too carried away with a good start. The aim is to keep it going and hopefully we’ll be there at the end of the season.”
See Friday’s South London Press for an exclusive interview with Mannion.
PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD