sstackho Posted March 20, 2007 Share Posted March 20, 2007 Rayner determined to prove himself 412 words 16 March 2007 Herald Express default 52 English © 2007 Herald Express He may have received rave reviews from most quarters after his home debut in last Saturday's 3-0 win over Wycombe Wanderers, but Torquay United's new on-loan goalkeeper Simon Rayner didn't rate his own performance. "For some reason, I felt sloppy in the first half. I don't know why it was, but I wasn't happy with myself," said the 6ft 5in tall 23-year-old Canadian. "I knew I could do more, and the second half was better. "It was a great result for us and a good team effort, but I can still do better." Rayner's attitude helps to explain his determination to make it in football, despite nearly three years of playing the reserve to resident Lincoln City goalkeeper Alan Marriott. He hails from Vancouver - the streak in his hair is Red for Canada - but explains: "My dad is English and it was always football for me rather than hockey." Rayner played for Vancouver Whitecaps as a youth, but he moved to England when he was only 16. His fight to win recognition in the UK has taken him on a tortuous path that includes stops at AFC Bournemouth, Barry Town, Port Talbot, a trial with Newcastle United and two-and-a-half years with Lincoln, including a loan spell at non-League Alfreton. He said: "It's crossed my mind 'Where do I go from here?' "I just needed to go out on loan and needed to be playing games. "Some people have talked about it being hard for Torquay to sign players, but why wouldn't you want to come here? "The difference between going on loan to a League side and a non-League side is immense." It was team manager Keith Curle's friendship with former Lincoln manager Keith Alexander which paved the way for a move for Rayner. "Simon has got everything you want in a goalkeeper, and here he's got the chance to prove it," said Curle. United's Director of Football Colin Lee added: "Kevin Miller did a good job when he came down to us, but we always wanted to bring in a younger goalkeeper and one who has got a point to prove. "Otherwise it's a waste of time. "We don't want players coming for the sake of coming down here. We want people with something to prove. "These moves can develop into longer-term things." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marktci Posted March 20, 2007 Share Posted March 20, 2007 Those last few paragraphs sound pretty promising for him. Hopefully he can keep playing well for the rest of the loan spell and play himself into a full-time job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marktci Posted March 20, 2007 Share Posted March 20, 2007 Those last few paragraphs sound pretty promising for him. Hopefully he can keep playing well for the rest of the loan spell and play himself into a full-time job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soju Posted March 20, 2007 Share Posted March 20, 2007 Nice article, glad to see we have some more keepers coming up. Hope he makes it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soju Posted March 20, 2007 Share Posted March 20, 2007 Nice article, glad to see we have some more keepers coming up. Hope he makes it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grizzly Posted March 20, 2007 Share Posted March 20, 2007 quote:Originally posted by marktci Those last few paragraphs sound pretty promising for him. Hopefully he can keep playing well for the rest of the loan spell and play himself into a full-time job. The only problem with that is that Torquay is almost certain to relegated to the Conference next year regardless of how well Raynor plays. Hopefully he can play well enough to get an offer from another League two team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jeffery S. Posted March 20, 2007 Share Posted March 20, 2007 Well since Rayner was in our u-20 pool and has pro experience week in week out, albeit in Wales (think he played UEFA previous rounds even, think against Skonto Riga once), you have to think he has the basic conditions for a decent pro career. Even if Torquay is having a bad season, it is a serious club with some reputation and I think it has to be a good experience for him. Some good performances and he might find another club in League Two interested come next season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nolando Posted March 20, 2007 Share Posted March 20, 2007 Or why not North America at some point? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winnipeg Fury Posted March 21, 2007 Share Posted March 21, 2007 Rayner is still very young, with lot's of experience and potential. As Rayner himself stated, he simply must insure at this point that he finds playing time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desigol Posted March 21, 2007 Share Posted March 21, 2007 I hope Lincoln get promoted to League 1 because I've relatives in Lincolnshire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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