Durham City AFC turn to Jim Montgomery for help (From The Northern Echo)

Durham City AFC turn to Jim Montgomery for help

8:38am Tuesday 9th February 2010

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A FOOTBALL team dubbed the worst in the country has called in a Sunderland legend to help stop the rot.

After 23 games, Durham City AFC sit bottom of the UniBond Premier Division with no wins, no draws and 23 defeats.

The Citizens have conceded 113 goals, scoring only 14.

Now club bosses have turned to Jim Montgomery, whose stunning 1973 FA Cup Final save has been hailed history’s greatest, to give their long-suffering shotstopper a few tips. Montgomery gave Richard Heiniger a goalkeeping masterclass as part of FA Cup sponsor E.ON’s Great Saves campaign.

Durham manager Lee Collings, who nominated Heiniger for the help, said his keeper was an unsung hero but that pre-match nerves affected his concentration.

E.ON also sent ashtanga yoga and meditation expert Jambo Truong, to give him a two-hour relaxation therapy session, including standing and sitting poses, twists, soothing breathing exercises, meditation and meditative chanting.

Mr Collings said: “Richard’s been absolutely brilliant for us between the sticks this season, in what has been a very tough year for the club.

“It can’t be easy for the lad.

Hopefully this will help him chill out.”

Mr Heiniger said: “I am not sure about some of the yogic chanting. Some of the other lads might tell me to pack that racket in.

“But the session with Jim was quality. His save in the 1973 FA Cup Final is probably the best save I have ever seen.

“To be given some advice on my shot stopping from a legend like him is an experience I will never forget. I am really looking forward to putting it into practice.”

Durham City entered this year’s UniBond Premier Division after two successive promotions.

But on the eve of the season, main sponsor Helios pulled out after the Football League ruled any further progress up the non-league football pyramid would be blocked because of Durham’s artificial pitch.

Many of the current crop of players were recruited from Durham Sixth Form Centre.

Last weekend, Durham lost 3-0 at next-to-bottom Ossett Town, but Mr Collings said it was the best his side had played all season.

This Saturday, the Citizens are away to Matlock Town, who lie in 16th place with seven wins, four draws and nine losses. See The Northern Echo on Monday to find out how they got on.

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