KOCHI: After a below-par performance last season, where they finished ninth in the league, Kerala Blasters are making all the right noises ahead of the sixth season of ISL.

After going on a signing spree before the next season of ISL, the Blasters are now all set to launch a goalkeeping academy in Kochi. Though the exact date of the launch hasn't been decided yet, this will be the first academy which will be dedicated solely for goalkeepers in India.

And the man entrusted with the job of nurturing goalkeeping talent will be former Newcastle United shotstopper John Burridge . Burridge comes with an experience of playing 771 games in both English and Scottish leagues.

The 67-year-old Englishman has earlier worked as goalkeeping coach of Al Ain Football Club in UAE and with the Oman national team. But a series of poor results for Oman saw Burridge losing his Oman job in 2011. However, that hasn't deterred Blasters from roping in Burridge. And they have a clear idea on why they are roping in a coach exclusively to train goalkeepers.

"Being a goalkeeper requires a specific set of skills and attributes. This calls for a specialised coaching approach. Our aim is to churn young Indian talent to become the best and most sought after 'keepers in the world. We have already started scouting a few players with the right physical attributes and skill set to initiate the academy. With the experience and prowess that John brings to the table, he will be an undisputed consultant-coach for the academy." said Blasters CEO Viren D'Silva.

The academy's initial focus will be on the senior team and the reserves before moving to youth teams in the later stages. The club also plans to give international exposure to goalkeepers of youth teams.

Kerala Blasters in the initial seasons had in their ranks former England goalkeeper David James, Arsenal's Graham Stack and Manchetser United's Paul Rachubka. But this year, the Kerala side is likely to have an Indian under the bar as they are yet to sign a foreign goalkeeper.

They have already signed TP Rehenesh from NEUFC and Shibin Raj Kunniyil from Gokulam Kerala FC, who were the No.1 goalkeepers for their respective clubs. They also have on their roster Bilal Khan, who had a string of impressive performances for Gokulam and Kerala and Real Kashmir. Apart from this, they have Sujith S who is considered as a future potential and Lovepreet Singh in their reserve squad.

And Burridge will be in charge of these goalkeepers during the initial days of academy launch. "I am totally impressed by Kerala's enthusiasm for this sport. I am sure this place would be a talent pool for football. We plan to train youngsters in goal-keeping and hope to carve a next generation of goalkeepers for Kerala and India," said Burridge.

