Rooney save spurs on confident Stockdale

5:03am Saturday 17th May 2008

IF penalties are the order of the day at Rochdale this afternoon, Darlington should be in safe hands. After all, David Stockdale, the young keeper destined for Premier League football next season, has already denied Wayne Rooney from 12 yards.

It is highly unlikely that Rooney, who has gone on to win back-to-back titles with Manchester United, will remember his run-in with the promising goalkeeper. Stockdale, however, certainly does.

During his childhood, having been nurtured along at Wortley High School in Leeds, the 22-year-old was a regular for Leeds City Boys and his confident displays ended with him joining Huddersfield Town's Academy set-up.

And while most of the games he played as a teenager have been forgotten, one appearance for the Terriers is stored in his memory.

"When we played Everton's Academy at the age of around 13 or 14 I played against Wayne Rooney. I saved a penalty from him but he scored four after that," said Stockdale.

"He was just one of those kids that you see, you wouldn't remember the name ordinarily but because he went as far as he did, you do. I just remember a small kid with big ears. He was a big lad, but short.

"He's the best player I've played against, although I've played with Tommy Wright and he's probably the best player I've played with.

"I saved a penalty but it was just one of those things. The penalty was to my right, just average height. Would he remember me? Not a chance. I wouldn't mind if I saved another against him for Fulham next season, though."

Earlier this season Stockdale made a similar save against Macclesfield, when Kevin McIntyre's penalty forced the Darlington youngster to his right to make a save that helped claim a draw.

That performance was one of many fine displays for Dave Penney's men during a stunning year that has persuaded Fulham to pay an initial £350,000 for his services, which could rise to £600,000.

It is amazing progress considering Stockdale spent a couple of months working as a bricklayer after being told he had no future at York by former manager Billy McEwan, who had also criticised his weight.

A conversation between Andy Collett, Penney's goalkeeping coach, and former Darlington defender David McGurk, however, ended with Stockdale heading to the Arena at the start of the 2006-07 season.

"When I was released by Huddersfield, I went to York. But I ended up at Darlington after going away with them on a pre-season tour to Scotland," he said.

"My family have just been happy to see that I'm playing for Darlington, I was on a building site before I came here.

"I was released by York so before I came here I had two months when I wasn't being paid, so I had to find something.

"There was a difference of opinion at York, shall we say, between me and the manager, Billy McEwan. I've never really spoken about it but it just shows you now because he's out of a job and I'm going to play for Fulham.

"The York fans were brilliant, I've got nothing against the club, I've still got friends there. I just wanted to prove him wrong and I am now."

Only six years ago Stockdale was a ball-boy for Huddersfield, who he still supports, and he still can't quite believe that he is on the verge of helping Darlington claim a Wembley place before heading to Fulham.

In his first season at Darlington, Stockdale struggled to force his way ahead of Sam Russell.

This season, having been taken under the wings of former first-choice keeper Andy Oakes and Collett, has been a different story.

"Last season was difficult because Sam was a very good keeper and I really wasn't dealing well with coming up here," said Stockdale, who has kept 20 clean sheets this season.

"When the fans loved Sam so much it was hard for me to come in and make an impact. I couldn't get in. The gaffer wanted experienced people in. It was good to prove the gaffer wrong in a way - not a bad way."

While many young goalkeepers may be just happy to play second fiddle, or even third, at a Premier League club next season, Stockdale has every intention of becoming Roy Hodgson's first choice.

"I've got to prove I'm as good as the keepers they have now. It's going to be a challenge," said Stockdale, knowing how Kasey Keller, Antti Niemi and Tony Warner have all played for the Cottagers this season.

"Fulham were the ones who made the bid. The club, the people and the facilities are fantastic.

"So I made my mind up that I wanted to be there. It was a great first impression and that meant a lot to me.

"It didn't matter to me if they were in the Premiership or Championship, I would fight for a place wherever.

"It's been a whirlwind since I got into the Darlington team and I just want to finish on a high."

Reaching Wembley, courtesy of a claiming at least at draw at Rochdale today, would help him to achieve just that.

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