Graham Arnold has extended a lifeline to former Newcastle Jets, Brisbane Roar, Wellington Phoenix and Sydney FC goalkeeper Liam Reddy. The 32-year-old was sacked by the Sky Blues in 2012 and other than an ill-fated dalliance with Iranian club Esteghlal, has not been part of a club since.
Liam Reddy gets a chance at Central Coast
Graham Arnold gives the formerly shamed goalkeeper an opportunity at the A-League’s championship holders.
In March 2012, Reddy was sent home from a trip to Wellington after being drunk on the plane. In April of last year, Sydney terminated his contract and sent his career into limbo. Yet less than eighteen months later, Arnold has given Reddy a chance to compete for his no. 1 position, after young Mat Ryan departed for Club Brugge in the offseason.
Said Arnold in a club press release:
“Central Coast Mariners are a club of opportunity. At this club we believe in second chances and Liam has trained extremely well over the past two weeks to earn his contract with us. His task now is to continue to demonstrate the professionalism and maturity he has shown over the past twelve months in order to validate our decision. Put simply, if we didn’t believe he will do that and that he can add to our club from a football perspective, we wouldn’t have signed him.”
Reddy gave a statement in the press release as well, saying:
”I acknowledge that I have made mistakes in my life and football career, and as such, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Mariners for providing me the chance to make amends and prove that I still have plenty to offer the Hyundai A-League.
“This is my last opportunity to play at the elite level in Australia and I intend to make the most of it. I have a zero-tolerance contract at the club and give my guarantee that I will work hard to not only win over the fans but repay the fait that Graham [Arnold], John [Crawley] and the Mariners have shown in me.”
Reddy is expected to compete with 28-year-old Justin Pasfield for the Mariners’ starting goalkeeper role.
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