Matt Turner's journey to Premier League after being put off 'violent' sport
Matt Turner is smiling as he works out an answer to the question.
Why is it that the American influence in English football usually centres around goalkeepers? Tim Howard, Brad Friedel, Kasey Keller - and Sylvester Stallone in ‘Escape to Victory’?
“We don’t specialise in one sport early,” says Nottingham Forest ’s new No.1, ‘apart from in the film, all those you mention played others before becoming goalkeepers. "It was a bit like me. When I was 14, I went to a new high school - or secondary school as you say here - and I was going to play basketball and baseball.
“I had wanted to play American football but that team was really good - and big. I was only five feet four inches tall. I weighed 105lbs. (seven-and-a-half stones) I was small. When I looked around the locker-room, I thought to myself: ‘I might be in trouble here.’ American football is violent. I was familiar with sport because both my sisters used to play.
“We had basketball games at home. I was the youngest and my two sisters used to throw me around. They were brutal affairs. Bloody noses, cut lips - they were common - and that was just my sisters! But when they went to their soccer practices, my parents threw me in goal. Basically, they did it to keep an eye on me. I had giant feet - and with giant gloves on too, I looked like a puppy.
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“So when I went to a new school. I decided the best way for me to get to know people was through sport. The choices were cross country, soccer or American football. I decided upon soccer. I was so far behind technically, tactically. But the second day I tried out, the regular goalkeeper got injured. I tried it. And I never looked back.”
It looked as though he had made the big breakthrough when he joined Arsenal after six years at New England Revolution in the MLS where he won goalkeeper of the year. But his career stalled as Aaron Ramsdale was given the nod by boss Mikel Arteta. At the age of 28, Turner - who kept a shut-out during the Qatar World Cup against England - felt like he needed to play.
He said: “At the end of last season, it was one of my goals to get a move. I knew it was going to be difficult for me at Arsenal. I wanted to play. I was led to believe after my meetings at Arsenal that they were happy with the goalkeeping situation as it was.
“I thought: ‘OK, I’m going to be an Arsenal player next season but I might not play much.’ I played all I could this summer, the Gold Cup, Nations League for America so that when I came back to Arsenal, I was match-ready.
“While I was away Forest had enquired about me. Arsenal flat-out rejected the proposal. My wife and I were ready to put a down payment on another rental but, all of a sudden, the move was back on. I was very curious in my conversation with Steve Cooper. I asked a lot of questions as to what he saw in me and why they felt I was a good fit. You just want to know those things. I’m at a pivotal moment in my career. I wanted some assurances. They ticked every box.
“My wife was nearby listening to the conversations and when I hung up the phone she gave the nod of approval. She could see in my face I felt really good about it and even when other teams came in for me, I had tunnel vision. I knew this was the place I wanted to be.”
Matt Turner played understudy to Aaron Ramsdale at Arsenal (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)Turner’s tale reads like the all-American dream. But what today’s supporters at the Etihad never see is the back story. Just like the film script above, it may have a twist in the tale.
“My family’s heritage is Lithuanian,” he said, “We didn’t know that until my father and I were clearing out my grandfather’s documents. My dad said: ‘If you see anything interesting, let me know.’ I found all these immigration papers from my great-grandmother who left Lithuania before World War Two.
“They were Jewish and came to America through Ellis Island. They got a foothold in Brooklyn and built a life. Researching my family tree is high on my ‘to do’ list. I have a Lithuanian passport but I received it when COVID struck. For a lot of Americans, it’s beautiful to have that melting pot. But I didn’t know about it, growing up. I was always told: ‘We’re not really sure.’
“My family name is ‘Turnovski,’ my great-grandparents changed it to sound more American. It’s a great story. And I one I want to find out more about.”
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