Goalkeeper Neil Etheridge loaned to Charlton

LONDON -- Philippine Azkals goalkeeper Neil Etheridge has moved on loan to Charlton Athletic FC.

The British-Pinoy, who is contracted to League One outfit Oldham until December 30, will now see out the rest of his deal with Championship side Charlton Athletic.

Despite featuring in one first-team game at Oldham, the 24-year-old revealed he made the decision to move to Charlton after realizing his chances with the Latics may be limited following the arrival of experienced goalkeeper Paddy Kenny, 36.

"As much as I enjoyed my time there at Oldham, I had to look out for a chance to at least be involved on a Saturday at a club," Etheridge told ABS-CBN Europe.

"I was fortunate enough to stumble across Charlton who I'd been training with in my off-season program. They've got an unfortunate injury to their number one, and after speaking to them they made it very clear - would I like to be involved in their first team for the short period of time?"

"It's a great club to be at - it's a league above, it's in the Championship, and it was really a no-brainer for me to sign the papers to be involved with Charlton's first team."

Etheridge is no stranger to his surroundings having already had a spell at Charlton while still with Fulham FC, and more recently he has been training with the Addicks in the off-season just to keep fit.

"It's a fantastic club, Charlton. It's a club that I was loaned to earlier in my career. Unfortunately I never got to play but it has always been a club that has been very close to me.

"The people I've worked with there have been fantastic. I'd like to prove as much as I can in the short period of time I'm there and fingers crossed I hope I can extend and maybe move there on a permanent in January.

"I will keep all my options open but it's another stepping stone for me and it's in the right direction. For me it's a positive to go to a fantastic club in the Championship that's doing well."

After 19 games played, Charlton currently sits 10th in the Championship with 28 points - four spots off the promotion places.

Etheridge knows he'll have to work hard to get a game, but is up for the fight.

"They've already got a very strong line-up of goalkeepers at the club and I hope I can be an addition to the strong line-up they've got.

"Whether I start or not will be a different story. I understand that my role really is for cover there because at the end of the day I'm only a loan player. And they've got their goalkeepers there. Their number two, Nick Pope, is a good, talented, young goalkeeper, but I hope I get an opportunity. If I get a game that would be fantastic."

Etheridge made the bench for Charlton's league match on November 29.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Azkals' Etheridge seeks new club after Fulham

LONDON – Philippine Azkals goal-keeper Neil Etheridge is currently seeking a new club as a free agent, after Fulham FC released the Filipino-British player at the end of the 2013-14 season following the club's relegation to the Championship from the English Premier League.

In a phone interview, the 24-year-old footballer told ABS-CBN Europe he is unsure about the future, but is very eager to start his next challenge.

"I'm just looking forward to next season. I'm not sure where I'm going to be at the moment. My representatives are working very hard," said Etheridge.

"I've been speaking to a few teams and a few are interested, so it will be exciting to see where I go," he added. "At the moment, there's no definite answer to where I'll be playing my football next year."

When asked if he has thought about plying his trade in the United Football League (UFL) in the Philippines, Etheridge said: "I haven't really considered the Philippines, and I think people will understand my situation."

"The reason why I haven't chosen to go to the Philippines – and not just the Philippines, but Asia in general – is because I believe that, without being very critical, even though Asian football is very upcoming, I don't believe it's up to the standard of European football yet," he explained.

"I've spoken to my management and we're looking more into staying within Europe and within England. To maybe drop down a level is an option," he added.

"But for me next season, wherever I go, I'll give 100% to that team, whether it be as a number one, or going in as a number two, or even going in as a number three somewhere," he added. "It depends where it is, depends what club it is."

Etheridge played in the Philippines' opening match in the recent 2014 AFC Challenge Cup before a recurring thigh injury struck and forced him to sit out the rest of the tournament. He has since been working hard to regain full fitness and said he is doing well.

"At the moment, it's really good. I've been going to the gym every day and doing everything that I need to do to keep fit," said Etheridge. "I'm just looking forward to doing a medical – which I'm happy to do – and I'm sure I'll pass. I'm just waiting to see what happens."

"At the end of the day, it's about me giving 100% to the team I'm playing for and involved with. But the main point is that I'd like to play next season," he stressed.

Etheridge, who joined the West London club as a 16-year-old, featured once for the Fulham first team in a Europa League encounter against Denmark's Odense Boldklub in December 2011.

He also had loan spells at Leatherhead, Charlton Athletic, Bristol Rovers and Crewe Alexandra.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Azkals' Etheridge rejoins League 1's Crewe on loan

LONDON -- Philippine Azkal goalkeeper Neil Etheridge has rejoined League One side Crewe Alexandra FC on loan from English Premier League outfit Fulham FC.

The 24-year-old, whose spell at the Alexandra Stadium last November was cut short due to a thigh injury, will be with the Railwaymen until April 13.

ABS-CBN Europe caught up with the British-Pinoy before his first game back against Stevenage Town, which Crewe lost 1-0.

"I'm glad to be back out on loan," Etheridge said. "I had three games with them at the back end of last year but then I got injured and I was disappointed. Massive thanks to their manager [Steve Davis] for holding on and taking me back. It's great."

During his previous stint, the London-born shot-stopper conceded just four goals and helped bolster a defense that had leaked 36 goals in its last 16 games.

"I must have done something right in the first three games and I know I played quite well, but I know when I got injured that my job wasn't done there. I wanted to go back and I wanted to prove myself in that league again," he said.

Etheridge is also eager to reverse the fortunes of Crewe, who have conceded the most number of goals in the division at 62, and currently sit in 20th place with 34 points after 33 games -- just two points above the drop zone.

"I want to help the club out of the very unfortunate situation they're in, towards the bottom of the league. For the time that I'm going to be there I'll give 110% to make sure that by the time I leave they won't be anywhere near that relegation battle," he said.

Having previously been loaned to Charlton and Bristol City, Etheridge views this as another chance to gain more experience and playing time.

"I'm happy, very happy. It's a move that needs to happen for me, personally. It's a great opportunity for me to put myself in the shop window or to force myself into situations where I'm used more in the first team. I know I need the experience to be able to do that," he said.

"I've got two great goalkeepers [Maarten Stekelenburg and David Stockdale] ahead of me at Fulham with a lot more experience and I know the only way for me to gain experience is going on loan. I'm delighted that I'm able to go out and play some games."

Etheridge will be flying to the United Arab Emirates next week to join up with the Philippine national team in Dubai, who will be facing Azerbaijan in a friendly match on March 5.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Azkals' Etheridge suffers injury

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Azkals' top goalkeeper Neil Etheridge suffered a leg injury while playing on loan for Crewe Alexandra FC at the English football League One.

The Filipino-British injured his quad muscle while making a final clearance against their opponents' attempt during their recent 1-0 win over Crawley Town.

“Neil has had a scan after suffering a strain in his quad muscle. He sustained it by making the final kick of the game,” team coach Steve Davis said in Crewe Alexandra’s official website.

Etheridge is officially with the English Premier League’s Fulham FC, which loaned him to Crewe Alexandra.

Davis rued Etheridge’s injury as the Fil-Brit keeper has showed some defensive might for Crewe Alexandra.

He hopes the keeper's injury heals soon.

“We are waiting for the scan results but if he has suffered that type of injury it could be 3-5 weeks maximum. We will know more today,” he said.

“We will have to see but if he is ruled and his loan deal had to come to a premature end then that would be a blow for us, because he was playing well and improving with every appearance.”

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com