GOALKEEPING coach Paul Heritage has a motto for his young students and the former professional footballer is certainly leading by example.
Paul, who was on the books of Sheffield United, Barnsley and Carlisle before an injury finished his playing career at 21, has helped hundreds of ‘keepers as owner of Heritage Goalkeeping and has always emphasised that ‘Good Keepers Do Extra’.
“I have always used that motto because goalkeepers tend to be a bit different there are ten outfield players on a team and the ‘keeper tends to be on their own,” said Paul.
“But during lockdown, when we couldn’t meet up, this took on an extra meaning I couldn’t hold the sessions and I set the students challenges to do at home to keep them focused and I decided to put my time to good use and do a cycle to raise money for Barnsley Hospice.
“And the Good Keepers Do Extra motto made me look at the bigger picture, not just putting in extra effort on the field but how could we help others?”
Since then, the community-spirited businessman has helped many local causes and projects and has been nominated for a Proud of Barnsley award in the charity fundraiser category by Weston Park Cancer Charity.
The nomination said: “Heritage Goalkeeping is one of the most successful goalkeeping schools within the area and has coached over 1,000 young keepers across the region.
“Even with Paul’s busy schedule of running his own business, charity support has always been something Heritage GK has contributed towards, supporting different charities across the region including Barnsley Hospice through cycle rides and Christmas events, raising funds for portable defibrillators, two of which have been placed at Penistone Grammar School and Oxspring Parish Council, and previously raising £4,300 in 2022 for Weston Park Cancer Charity.
“This year Weston Park partnered with Elite Adventures to deliver the Yorkshire Three Peaks as a charity challenge on Saturday July 6.
“Paul signed up to the challenge himself, shortly after this he posted this on the Heritage GK Facebook page asking his followers which included previous clients, parents of children he coached, asking people to join his team in the challenge.
“Eventually there were 16 members in the Heritage GK team taking part.”
In total, the team raised an incredible £5,446 online and £150 offline.
They didn’t just share their fundraising page, but came up with creative ways to fundraise including raffling off signed football merchandise which they sourced themselves through contacts.
“I really try to inspire the young keepers I coach and I try to choose causes that they can relate to,” Paul added.
“One in two people are touched by cancer and a lot of my students have had to deal with it through family members and even cancer scares themselves.
“We started supporting Weston Park during the World Cup as one of my student’s parents work there and we organised a raffle and raised £4,500.
“Then they posted about the Yorkshire Three Peaks which is something I’ve always wanted to do.
“Unfortunately, my students couldn’t do it because you have to be 16 but they organised their own walks to get involved.”
Paul has also been involved in raising money and awareness for defibrillators.
“I lost a friend at 15 due to an undetected heart defect and you hear about players having heart attacks during matches so I decided I really wanted a defibrillator to be available during my sessions.
“We raised enough money for five
in total and I have tried to raise
awareness since when I was researching them, I found a charity which supplies them for £500 which is about a third of what they usually cost.
“It’s a much more achievable amount and I have spread the word far and wide I know a few grassroots clubs who have bought them and I told the Royal British Legion branch about it and theirs has gone onto save two lives which is amazing.”
The nomination concluded: “The following is a quote taken from a post on the Heritage Goalkeeping Facebook page and I think this sums up perfectly the reason why I am nominating them for an award: ‘I’d like to think that our charity fundraising sets an example to the Heritage GK students about giving back, taking care of your local community, as well as each other and having pride in giving something a go, no matter the challenges you may face’.
