24th September 2015

Finding a list of players to have represented a pair of clubs separated by a mere 335 miles is actually more difficult that you might imagine; there are a few loans to have crossed both paths and of course current Glovers’ star Jack Compton.

However, for this week’s ‘Foot in Both Camps’ we’re delving back into the long list of loan Goalkeepers to play at Huish Park with Scott Flinders.

Flinders only played nine times for Yeovil during the 2007/08 season and racked up 250 more for Pools.

Starting his career at Barnsley, Flinders started off as back up to Ross Turnbull and then Nick Colgan and found his chances limited.

The young ‘keeper found himself involved in the England Under 20s side at the time and also in a peculiar fixture between a Football League XI and a side made up of youngsters from Serie B in Italy.

He was picked to represent the English divisions alongside the likes of Ashley Young, David Nugent and Wes Morgan.

Despite playing no more than a dozen times during the 2005/06 season he was scouted by the likes of Chelsea and Wigan.

In the end, a deal was agreed with Crystal Palace, a six figure sum changed hands in a deal that could have seen Palace pay up to £1million pounds if Flinders triggered all the add ons included in the deal.

At Selhurst Park, Flinders traded the starting spot with the jogging bottom-wearing Hungarian Gabor Kiraly. But when the international keeper had settled in as number one, Flinders was again looking for first team football elsewhere.

Initially, he was loaned to Gillingham as cover for their injured ‘keeper, the same applied when he went to Palace’s rivals at Brighton as cover for a dozen games.

It was a similar story when Russell Slade came looking for a replacement for Steve Mildenhall.

Mildy had come off at half time of the previous fixture and Craig Alcock had to fill in.

Flinders was drafted in and kept a clean sheet on debut as Terry Skiverton scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over Northampton Town.

A string of fine performances over the next month saw the deal extended, Flinders was playing well in a side not winning matches.

He only played in three wins for the Glovers and only kept two clean sheets but put in commendable performances against Bournemouth, Millwall and this weekend’s opponents Hartlepool.

When he was recalled to Palace pending a long term switch to Blackpool he was replaced at Huish Park by a certain Asmir Begovic.

Two more loan spells would come and go before he found his calling at Hartlepool United.

He joined the Victoria Park side on a free transfer in the summer of 2009.

After settling in as the first choice ‘keeper, he would play every minute of every game in his first season and picked up a Player of the Month award.

However, it was at the back end of the 2010/11 season where he would hit the headlines.

In the 94th minute of the final home game of the season, Flinders went up for a last minute corner.

He would meet the inswinging delivery with a powerful header to secure a dramatic point.

Obviously, Yeovil themselves are not too unfamiliar with a goal scoring goalkeeper…

As the games as seasons went by, Flinders loyalty to Hartlepool was tested by scouts from higher division clubs but he remained in the North East picking up a host of awards at the end of season party in 2013.

He broke records at Victoria Park with the most appearances and clean sheets by a goal keeper as well as signing new contract after new contract to keep him there until the summer of 2015.

In a surprise move, it would at this point he would depart Hartlepool for his current employers, York City.

Hartlepool fans will only sing the praises of their longest serving ‘keeper and Yeovil fans got chance to see what Flinders thinks of them when he took time to applaud the travelling Glovers fans that made the trip to York earlier this season.

A legend for one but respected by both, Flinders’ two former sides meet on Saturday at Huish Park and you can be there for game by purchasing your tickets right now.

Click HERE to use the online ticket office, or give the team a call on 01935 847888.

The only other thing left to do is compare the goal scoring efforts of Flinders and the Glovers own Chris Weale.

Click here to see Flinders goal…

Click here to see Weale’s goal…

Let us know on Twitter @YTFC which is your favourite.