Charlton signing Harry Isted on WWE wrestling decision helping him make his mark as a goalkeeper

BY RICHARD CAWLEY
richard@slpmedia.co.uk

Charlton Athletic new boy Harry Isted has revealed how the WWE helped him to become a goalkeeper.

The 26-year-old became the Addicks’ first signing of the summer transfer window when he penned a deal last Friday.

Isted starred on loan for Barnsley in the second half of last season – including a jawdropping save to deny Sheffield Wednesday’s Michael Smith in the League One play-off final at Wembley – but was released by parent club Luton Town.

Yet the Chichester-born stopper’s football career could have been so different. He initially played as a centre-back when he joined Portsmouth at the age of nine.

Isted’s switch came a couple of years later.

“We always played on a Sunday and it was the goalkeeper’s birthday  – his family had got him tickets to go and watch the WWE wrestling because it was in England,” Isted told the South London Press. “He said to the club he was going to see that and he couldn’t play.

“So we had outfield player tryouts to see who was best in goal. I turned out to be okay. Eventually I got better than him – he ended up being released and I stayed on as goalkeeper.

“I’d always play in the back garden with my best mate back home – one had to go in goal when the other was shooting. He was pretty good in goal as well, to be fair. I loved going in there, so I already knew a little bit what I was doing – but with no coaching or training.”

Isted opted to leave Portsmouth due to their financial problems, gaining a scholarship with Southampton. He also signed a first professional deal with the Saints.

“I did well in my first two years as a scholar and then kind of stalled a bit,” said Isted. “I was going a bit sideways when I hit the U23s because I didn’t really get much game time.

“The third choice in the first team, Paulo Gazzaniga, played the majority of the U23 matches. My contract was coming up at the end of that season, so I went in around December time asking if there was going to be a contract at the end of it.

“Southampton were as good as gold and said I was fine to try and find another club.

“Two weeks later I was on trial at Burnley and then drove down from there to Stoke and they wanted to sign me. I had 18 months with them. I thought I was going to get a new contract but then they didn’t give me one. I was flapping a bit. I sent my CV out to every league club and Luton picked up on it. I went on trial, did a pre-season and ended up getting a contract there.”

Isted’s game time while on the Hatters’ books primarily came from non-league loans at Wealdstone, Oxford City and Chesham United.

He had made six senior appearances for Luton when he signed for Barnsley in January.

He kept five clean sheets in his opening nine matches – the Tykes winning eight and drawing one – including a flying reaction stop from Smith, again, as Sheffield Wednesday’s 23-game unbeaten run was ended in March.

“I went there knowing I wasn’t going to be playing, it was to push the number one but, unfortunately for him, he picked up an injury two games in,” said Isted.

“It was the luck I’ve probably been waiting for, to take that opportunity. I knew I had to – that it was make or break for me. The wins don’t all come from me, it was a pretty good team at Barnsley and we had a strong defence.”

Josh Windass’ late clincher at Wembley was a sickener for Barnsley as they missed out on promotion, especially after Isted had drawn plaudits for denying Smith.

“Sometimes you get a bit of luck and it looks like an incredible save,” he said. “You make yourself big and hope that it hits you.

“I’ve probably got Michael to thank for the interest I’ve had this summer!

“The first game against Sheffield Wednesday was the most enjoyable game of my career. We went 2-0 up and then back to 2-2. Then 3-2 and we made it 4-2 with the last kick of the game. I’ve been involved in big games with Luton, where I’ve been on the bench, but to be on the pitch and experience that emotion is definitely up there for me.”

Play-off finals are either bliss or pure pain.

Isted would have relished the tie against the Owls going to a spot-kick shootout. Windass deprived him of the chance to be an even bigger hero.

“I thought it was destined to go to penalties – and to lose it on the last kick of the game is probably the worst way to lose a football match,” said Isted. “Especially on that stage and that occasion.

“Look, we don’t know if it had gone to penalties who would have won. But you have that knowledge of knowing if it does go to penalties that you can’t do much about it.

“We clapped the fans and the last person I saw off the pitch was my parents, in the stands. My mum was in tears and I thought I should head to the dressing room quickly, before I burst into tears. The mood is low but we had to look back at it that we had 10 men for most of the second half. It hurts at the time but we have to look back and be proud of what we did.

“I wanted to get showered, get changed and see my parents. The players got the coach back to the hotel we were staying in – friends and family could come back – and we had a drink together, to celebrate what we had achieved. It was a great dressing room there, everyone was behind each other and we made the situation as good as we could.”

Charlton’s hopes of landing Isted were boosted by Michael Duff quitting Barnsley to become Swansea’s head coach.

“I was interested in signing for them because I had been there and I’d done well there,” said Isted.

“I was used to living up there, used to the club and used to the lads and the fans.

“A big part of it was the manager leaving. I got on really well with him and I’d worked well under him. So I would have been going to sign for a club that doesn’t have a manager and not knowing what was happening.

“I got a call from my agent on Wednesday (last week about Charlton’s interest), I was in Greece at the time with my girlfriend and I was flying back that night.

“I had a conversation with the gaffer and he sold the club to me. He said he is aiming for promotion. I can’t see why Charlton can’t push for that and gain it, when you look at the facilities and the training ground.”

Isted will battle Ashley Maynard-Brewer for the number one spot.

“Ash had a good second half of the season – probably similar number of appearances to me,” said Isted. “He’s a bit younger. You know there is only one spot and whoever gets it then you can’t moan because that person is there for a reason.

“You’ve got to support and get behind them because it shows more about you, as a character and as a person – that you are doing it for the team and not just for yourself. That’s what you need for a successful football club and successful season, wanting to do it for your team.”