From Russia with glove – England keeper Nick Pope’s role in King’s Lynn Town signing
King's Lynn Town manager Simon Clark with the club's new 18-year-old striker Harry Limb Picture: Ian Burt - Credit: Archant
World Cup goalkeeper Nick Pope has given new King's Lynn Town signing Harry Limb the thumbs-up.
Teenage striker Limb arrives at The Walks after 18 months with Premier League Burnley, where Pope's performances earned him a place in Gareth Southgate's squad in Russia.
Soham-born Pope played non league football for Bury Town before leaving for Charlton Athletic in 2011, which is where he crosse paths with news Linnets boss Simon Clark, who was a coach at The Valley.
And while Clark had plenty of knowledge of Limb's scoring ability, the character references included Pope, who was happy to oblige.
'I messaged Nick Pope because I worked with Popey at Charlton,' said Clark. 'I know he is obviously busy at the minute, but he did message me back and tell me he is a good kid and he did ok at the football club.
'I have looked at his clips, I have spoken to people at Burnley, I have spoken to people locally who know him, I have spoken to people at Boston, so there is no down side. What happens sometimes when you leave a professional football club as a young man it can destroy you and your head goes and you want to do other things. Having met Harry and been to his house a few times recently he still wants to play, he wants to get back in. He loves the game of football, he loves scoring goals, so I know from where he was at Wisbech two years ago he has strengthened up, he has matured, although is quite mature anyway. There is loads and loads of upside with him, both technically tactically and physically, which is a great thing for this football club.'
Limb has signed a two-year deal at The Walks and both manager and player see it as a stepping stone back into the league game from which Lynn can benefit.
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'I am looking forward to getting started,' said Limb, who met his new team-mates for the first time at pre-season training on Tuesday night.
'Effectively, it didn't work out at Burnley. It started off quite well, I lost form and couldn't get my form back, so without form and scoring goals I am not really successful – so it didn't work out. I have come here to play football and get back on the right path. I have come down, but I want to go back up and I think King's Lynn is the best place for me to start.'
