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Scott Loach arrived on trial from Lincoln City’s Centre of Excellence towards the end of last season. The seventeen-year-old had been tracked by a number of clubs, but joined the Hornets for an initial fee of £50,000, signing professional forms when the transfer window reopened in the Summer.

I first saw him play against Fulham Reserves at Motspur Park. The first reaction on seeing him was, “He’s how old???” No skinny teenager with lots of growing to do, our Scott. He looked very similar in physique to Ben Foster and the first time he launched the ball into orbit you could see he had the attacking attributes that Adrian Boothroyd likes in a keeper. He didn’t have much to do in that game, but he pulled off one cracking save and he had a definite presence in the box in a one-nil win for the Hornets. He played the remainder of the season as the reserve team goalkeeper, with mixed results as he was often playing behind triallists with whom he couldn’t hope to have an understanding. He also made a couple of appearances for the under-eighteens, who were unbeaten with him in goal.

In pre-season, he has shared the goalkeeping responsibilities with Richard Lee and has suffered in the comparison. He hasn’t looked as comfortable commanding a defence made up of senior players, and has had a couple of very dodgy moments. But that is to be expected of an eighteen-year-old. Betty has made it clear that Scott is to be the third choice this season, so will feature predominantly at Meadow Park rather than Vicarage Road. I am certainly looking forward to watching him develop under Alec Chamberlain’s tutelage this season.

On signing for us, Scott declared his ambition to play for England. He certainly has the raw talent, and following our long tradition of great keepers, who’s to say he won’t achieve that aim?

Frances Lynn
Last updated: August 2006