Keiren Westwood - Radio Cumbria Interview

Last updated : 21 June 2008 By Thetashkentterror

Keiren Westwood
Former United goalkeeper Keiren Westwood spoke to BBC Radio Cumbria on Friday evening as he talked about his move to Coventry earlier this week, Westwood chatting about how much he has enjoyed his time at Brunton Park :


" I'm not sure that I'm relieved that it has all gone through but I'm happy obviously, for both parties really. I had four fantastic years at Carlisle, and to start a new chapter now, as well as the club obviously got £500,000 looking to increase to £750,000 when I came on a free four years ago.

" Probably about a week ago I heard about Coventry's interest when the first bid went in and it got turned down. So I think it was a couple of days later that one got accepted and I got to talk to them. There were a few other clubs interested but I am not going to say them on the radio because it wouldn't be right or fair really.

" I went into the stadium at Coventry and met the chairman Ray Ranson and the manager (Chris Coleman) and the assistant (Steve Kean) and they were just brilliant with me. They made me feel very welcome, and then I went out onto the pitch and the stadium was just fantastic. I never asked to leave, it wasn't a case of me going to see the manager (John Ward) or going to see Fred Story and saying that because we didn't get promoted I wanted to leave. That's not me, that would be disrespectful to the club, the fans and to my team-mates really.

" So that wasn't a case of me doing anything like that, it was a case of at that precise minute I wasn't going to sign a new contract. I had a year left and I wasn't in any rush to sort something out, I'd be ready for the start of the season and I'd see you pre-season. Obviously the club have got to make a decision and they have decided to sell me.

" I'm not really going to speak about contracts on the radio, it's not fair on anyone really to be doing stuff like that. I never went in ranting and raving saying that I wanted to leave. It was a difficult decision to leave, I've got so many ties at the club it's unbelievable. The fans were fantastic from day one really, and all the way to the last day. A great rapport and I've got a lot of time and affection for the club and the people. "



" Loads of good memories, we won promotion from the Conference, obviously I didn't play that many games. I think that I played eight games but to play in the games that I did was fantastic. From absolutely being nowhere to playing eight games that season, then winning promotion, then winning the league the year after in League Two.

" Going to the Millennium (Stadium) in the LDV, the play-offs last year. Even the season when we finished eighth, just outside, was an exciting season in itself. So I have got so many great memories, they will always be in my heart and I will always treasure them. The fans are fantastic and I can't thank them enough really for the way that they welcomed me in and helped me grow really. I probably owe the club a hell of a lot and the fans as well.

" He (Chris Howarth) is a good goalkeeper, he was at Bolton, obviously he has not played any games so it's key now that he gets a chance and makes a few appearances. I don't know what the gaffer is doing too with the likes of Chris or Alex (Mitchell) as well, he is obviously trying to bring somebody in. I don't really know what he has said, if he's said anything to Chris or if Chris is going to play, I don't really know, I don't know anything. I haven't really seen Chris play but he is a good goalkeeper. He works hard in training and he has just got to take his chance if he gets one.

" I agree that Carlisle need to strengthen the squad, because the majority of the lads, I played 54 games last season, (Danny) Livesey played over 50 games. It's a long season, with the squad depth it would have nice to maybe, not rest, but maybe give a person a break and keep it fresh. The squad depth did actually kill us in the end really, but we had some fantastic games and we just fell short unluckily.

" Coventry are massive aren't they, they are a big club, they used to be in the Premiership. The chairman and the manager outlined their future plans, they have happily shown faith in me to bring me to the club and they want me to be part of it. Never say never though, I'll always have unfinished business with Carlisle, obviously not getting promoted was a bit of a let-down so maybe there is some unfinished business there. "