28 September 2009

Start of another week, and still mountains of paperwork sitting on my desk! I'm far too easily distracted and admittedly have the attention span of a goldfish, if it isn't a challenge then I'm gone...thinking of and doing anythine else! Me and offices have never gone together in all honesty but I'm getting there, it's just a killer when the suns shining as for the last couple of decades I've been outside in it with a football, now I'm stuck indoors with a mountain of goalkeeper gloves! Once the physio has OK'd my knee then I'll be straight back outside, guaranteed, and can maybe attack the paperwork with vigour on my return, though they're suggesting a minimum of 3 months before I'll be at that stage and in all honesty it's killing me!

On the plus side, we have had our endorsee Paul Farman (www.warbygk.com/goalkeepers.htm), debut his gloves in the Blue Square Premier this last week. He started last Tuesday against Rushden and Diamonds FC and again played on Saturday against Oxford United FC, he's got positive reactions from both games so fingers crossed Paul will now claim the Number One spot at Gateshead FC, and as he's still only 19 he is a massive prospect for a succesful career and joins the WarbyGK stable of promising young goalkeepers.

Another plus side is some of the new packaging has arrived, though I was in the shower at the time and met the delivery man wearing nothing but a smile and my toothbrush sticking out of my mouth (sorry mate!), and I am absolutely chuffed to bits with them. We're working hard to move the brand on and simple little changes like these help with this ambition. Everything we do has to be better than we've done before and certainly with the designs we've got coming in as samples I am very happy with the direction that my team and I are taking WarbyGK in. Watch this space and form your own opinion, WarbyGK are moving on (although not as quick as the delivery man after I'd signed his machine - has he never seen a naked man before?!).

Red or Orange?

Cryptic eh? This is the kind of question that floats around the office from time to time and these sorts of choices are always guaranteed to split us firmly down the middle! What can be tricky about the question? Though it's certainly an inevitability that at least one of us will storm out the office, flailing our arms and slamming the door on the way out...............before creeping back in with head bowed before finally agreeing that the other option was correct after all! (and if all else fails we'll have a democratic arm wrestle!!)

We gather feedback and opinions from our goalkeepers (professional, grass roots and juniors) and act upon this but ultimately we, as directors, have the casting vote and this is what can create World War Three within WarbyGK, and in truth, this is the facinating thing about our line of business..............everybody, and I mean literally everybody, has opinions (though mine are the only right ones!). For example I swear by Puma Kings but others wouldn't swap their Copa Mundials, I love Flat Palms but others will only wear Roll Fingers, I have a preference for Jessica Simpson (after the beautiful Mrs Warby of course) others may prefer Megan Fox - everybody is different and everybody believes they're right! It is our job to try and provide for the majority and this is never an easy quest, certainly in the world of goalkeeper gloves as goalkeepers are very picky about what they wear. I can remember when I was about 12 buying a brand new pair of Sondico's for a school game, I lasted in them for about 15 minutes before opting to play the rest of the game bare handed as I just didn't like them and couldn't get on with them. My team mates ripped me for several weeks after but they wouldn't understand the psychology of a goalkeeper in that everything has to be just so. My socks were always pulled as high as they can go and then folded over (fold over reaching nearly my ankles!), I couldn't have my sleeves tucked into my wrist strap and my shorts had to be tied up so tight I often broke the string! Any slight change to this preperation would guarantee a non focussed performance and this is the market I chose to make my business because we at WarbyGK understand you..........we know these little quirks that we all have, and by having these heated arguments means that we can continue to develop our range and to be able to offer you the best products available (online at http://www.warbygk.com/ hint hint!).

21 September 2009

I'm writing this blog, fresh back from spending yesterday in North Wales at a Coaching Conference that I'm required to do in order to update my goalkeeper coaching licences. It was good in the fact that I did my licences with Alan Kelly (Blackburn Rovers) - now the Republic of Ireland goalkeeper coach, Steve Book - Bristol Rovers goalkeeper coach and Wrexhams (now Neath FC) Anthony Williams. Also there was Alan Fettis (Northern Ireland International) - now Sunderland's goalkeeper coach, and to just even be able to listen to their conversations is an experience in itself and I am too humble to tag along with them, though it was an honour to speak with them - even if I struggled with their accents at times! Sorry boys!

We have to attend so many hours of these conferences in order for our UEFA licences to remain current and we attended a Goalkeeper Conference earlier in the year, which was fascinating to see how other coaches do things and why and there is a special unity amongst the goalkeepers that yesterdays conference lacked. Goalkeepers have a special way to take the mickey and get some banter going that, frankly, outfield coaches cannot emulate. It was nice at the goalkeeper conference to loan the gloves out and get some feedback (and sales) from the goalkeepers present. I have to state publically that if you want to do any coaching course (particular goalkeeping) then take a look at the Welsh FA before anywhere else http://www.welshfootballtrust.org.uk/coaching

We have revamped the homepage at http://www.warbygk.com/ to feature the new Legend and also give a direct link to our online shop where we despatch the same day (before 1300 hours) to make buying your goalkeepers gloves from us even easier!

WarbyGK International Debut

Great news came out of Hungary on Tuesday night. WarbyGK endorsee Joe Wech was awarded his first England cap for England C against Hungary in Budapest. We believe that Joe is quality which is one of the reasons we specifically sponsored him. I'm desperately trying to find pictures from the game (Joe is sending me some), but if anyone else beats me to them then feel free to share...!

With all of our endorsee goalkeepers they have to fit in with our specific criteria before we'd even consider any approach or offer, and as a brand always looking to the future we do the same with our keepers. What potential have they got?...well in Joe's case massive, but also some of our younger keepers on the books. Take Grimsby's Leigh Overton and Boston's Aaron Butcher for example, both of these lads possess HUGE potential and could, with the right opportunities, go very far in the game and we'd be very proud to have helped in our own little way. We are very proud of all the lads that have signed contracts with us for this season and quality over quantity works well for the WarbyGK brand ethos.

I have ordered the packaging for the Legends today, and I'm really proud of the way the brand is going considering we are only in our second season, the strides that the company has taken recently is more than enough to stick a big cheesy grin on my face! ! I feel we have created a strong following, and the many emails we receive from converts of Uhlsport, Sells etc is more than enough to encourage us further, so at this point in our growth I, on behalf of all at WarbyGK, would just like to thank you all for the support and input that we have received to date....Thank you!

14 September 2009

I've gotta admit I'm really getting into this blogging "malarky", I never thought that there's be as much to write about as I'm finding, though I did briefly try Twitter..........couldn't get my head round that so swiftly deleted the account!! I'm used to being on the training pitch every day but these past few months I've been restrained to the office as I'm recovering from my Cruciate surgery (finally!) and it's opening my eyes to a whole new world! It has come as abit of a blessing as I can now devote more time to WarbyGK as opposed to spreading myself thin and relying on the others involved to "carry" me to some extent, though I am desperately missing the banter and can't wait to get back to work (although I may have to reduce my hours accordingly!).

We placed the order for the Legends last week, and also have created some more designs for the 10/11 season which we should receive at the same time (DECEMBER by the way for all those repeatedly asking), and if these designs work then I am confident that we have taken another step forwards in our evolution and to achieving our ambition. I have to just take a second to congratulate Glen after David Stockdale gave Pro-GK their debut in the Premier League yesterday for Fulham. I know how big a buzz it is to see the fruits of your labour on the screen and they have become the first of the "new boys" to reach that platform so well done to Glen and his team!

We have received some Legend samples this morning from a different manufacturer vying for business which I'm toying with the idea of running a competition with, and I think we'll promote it via our Facebook Fan Page so join up and keep your eyes peeled!

That's the very best pic I can find of Simon Rayner in the Legends (honest, I've looked for hours!)

Both sides of the coin......

Firstly I need to start this blog with a moan, sorry!

ROYAL MAIL STRIKES!! We despatch our goalkeeper gloves using Royal Mail First Class Delivery, and in the majority of cases they are fantastic, we post before 1600 hours and they generally are delivered the very next day (UK). We are proud of the speed of delivery generally but because of these strikes items are just not reaching their destination on time - or at all! So please be aware of the possibilty of delay if you order online, not just with WarbyGK, but also any retailer that uses Royal Mail. We are looking at alternatives though so rest assured that we are doing our best!

Anyways, the Legends are now officially on order! Hooray and about time I hear you cry!! You know I'll keep you all posted though so stop worrying.....not long to wait now!

We had an interview for a Norweigan Football Site recently and one of the questions was "Why did you move into the goalkeeping gloves market?", there is a simple answer to this and one which I'm sure that every one of our competitors will understand. Me personally, and I'm not talking on behalf of my partners, is because I want to be the best at whatever I do. I wanted to be the best goalkeeper I could be (got nowhere near what I should've but tha's another blog!), I want to be the best coach that I can be and most importantly I want to be the best Daddy I can and I moved into the gloves because I firmly believe that WarbyGK CAN be the best, and as long as there is that chance to achieve this then we will keep working these ridiculously long shifts to reach this recognition. If I can't win at something then I won't play (ask the missus because I'll never play her at ten pin bowling ever again!) but with this venture I believe that we can win, albeit with a massive challenge with the strong competition we've got (thanks Glen, Greg, Kenny etc!) but as I've said before there is space for all of us, and if I wasn't involved in the business then I'd be truly spoiled for choice!

Finally: Two Lions walk through the market place on a saturday lunchtime, one turns to the other and says "It's a bit quiet for a market day isn't it?".

07 September 2009

Morning/Afternoon/Evening all (delete where applicable)!! And on with our weekly update from WarbyGK towers (well, office really but I've always wanted to say that! In fact I wanted to call our house Warby Manor but the wife thougt it was too egotistical so I left it!!)

First up, we are delighted to announce the signing of Joe Welch to WarbyGK. Joe is Danny Naisbitt's understudy at Histon FC and has put in competent performances whan Nezzy was banned earlier in the season (see Gutted! blog). Joe has also recently been called into the England C squad for the game against Hungary in Budapest on September 15th which demonstrates the potential that Joe has to progess up the Football Pyramid, wearing his Warby's of course!

I am writing this update to give me relief from the heated debate we're having about the new Legend and Top Up order we're placing in the next few days. Several key features we can agree on, but getting the size quantity ratio right is always a challenge: we need a formula that can predict the stock levels to hold, or a crystal ball - either way it'll help my headaches as looking at numbers and making predictions isn't my cup of tea...............speaking of which, is that the kettle I can hear? Nothings ever as straight forward as imagined and our calculators are taking a bashing, as is our poor accountant! Scrub the poor bit, I've seen his invoices...he certainly isn't poor!!

The light at the end of this number cruching tunnel is that the Legend's are officially on their way and are therefore the next installment in the WarbyGK journey, hope you're on-board?!

How to REALLY save Penalties...!

I've finally cracked it! All my years as both a goalkeeper and coach wondering how to deal with the dreaded penalty kick, well here is THE definitive answer which is virtually fool proof.................buy some WarbyGK Goalkeeper Gloves from www.WarbyGK.com!
No kidding, I'm serious and I'll take you through the proof: The first time that these goalkeepers wore their Warby's in a game resulted in a penalty save:
Danny Naisbitt: Histon v West Bromwich Albion, 2 penalties saved!
Adam Collin: Carlisle United v Morecambe, 2 penalties saved!
Lee Hook: Havant v Dover, 1 penalty saved!
Right, now I'm off to talk to the FA in preparation for the 2010 World Cup Final when England take Germany all the way to a penalty shoot out...........wish me luck!

Don't say we don't give you anything!

We have been working falt out to be able to offer everybody the opportunity to have the glove they've always wanted. Please see http://theglovebag.com/forums/t/17474.aspx for more details. We are hugely proud to be able to offer this, and along with the delivery of Legend means that Christmas 2009 could be very exciting for some goalkeepers!

We know that some keepers buy gloves to match their kit (most of us at WarbyGK have at some point!), and that most have an idea of exactly what cut will suit us best, so we have negotiated with our factory to provide this amazing opportunity! WarbyGK isn't just about goalkeeper gloves, we are about the goalkeepers themselves...what makes them tick and what can be done to improve their game. Goalkeeping isn't a position, it's a passion and everyone that's lasted more than a season in goal knows that it's in their blood, they have a special desire to be the odd one out in the team, they want to win more than any other team member, they choose to be special.............................. Welcome to the magical world of WarbyGK!

Landscaper to Penalty Hero!

Following on from this thread http://theglovebag.com/forums/p/14730/60521.aspx#60521, Adam Collin was the hero for Carlisle United in last nights Johnstones Paint Trophy tie against Morecambe FC. Adam saved the fourth and fifth penalty in the shoot out after the sides were tied at 2-2 after full time, forcing the game into the dreaded penalty gamble.

Even more of a relief was that I was in touch with Ads at 1620 hours and he told me that his batch of gloves hadn't arrived (posted them last Monday 24th!), followed by a text at 1630 to say that the office staff have found them!! Maybe he's now found a new pair of "lucky goalkeeper gloves" - come on, we all have a pair stashed in the wardrobe, don't we?!! Oh, just me then!