2007/8: 18 Apps, 0 Goals, 6 Shut Outs
Totals: 18 Apps, 0 Goals, 6 Shut Outs

Pen Pic:

Kevin Sawyer is a huge signing for Gloucester City in more way than one, the bulky shot-stopper is rated as one of the best goalkeeper's at Southern League level and he will provide a considerable reassuring presence between the sticks for a City side that last season often looked nervous in defence. Sawyer had often previously been the target of good humoured weight-based stick from the T-End, but City fans will be delighted that the player has joined the Tigers' cause after a string of fine result defining performances playing against us over many years . His 6'3" broad frame clearly helps Sawyer dominate his penalty area, but despite his size he is a keeper of surprising agility. His signing in May 2007 was a coup for City boss Tim Harris, himself a former keeper, as it suggests a club stepping up a level in terms of quality and promotion potential. Sawyer's desire to do well with the club seems to be exemplified by a visible increase in fitness and impressive loss of weight. Fortunately this doesn't seem to have a Samson-esque impact on his abilities and his early season form hasn't disappointed, including high class penalty saves against Brackley, King's Lynn and Stourbridge.

Sawyer is another product of Cirencester Town's succesful youth academy, progressing into the first team under Ray Baverstock in 1998 and first really catching the eye of City fans with a string of incredible saves in a 4-2 defeat to Cirencester in May 2001. Sawyer steadily improved in consistency and his form had led to him being courted by several other local non-league sides, with a few trial games for Bristol City's reserve side. In July 2002 he finally headed to Salisbury City where he continued to grow in stature, playing a central role in helping the Wiltshire side to promotion from the Southern League's old Eastern Division in 2004, and even claimed a couple of goals from the penalty spot. One of those goals helped Salisbury to the FA Cup 1st Round where he took the field against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough, while another proved the winner in a crucial Isthmian Premier relegation game against Heybridge Swifts. When Salisbury were shifted back across to the Southern League Sawyer was a key figure in their dominance of the 2005/06 SLP season, keeping 22 clean sheets and being the only ever-present in their championship winning season. Despite his success Sawyer decided to leave Salisbury in August 2006 before being able to taste Conference South football, leaving the club rather than risk regular first team football when new arrivals to the squad threatened his position. Surprisingly Sawyer returned to Cirencester Town, but despite again producing consistently top level performances Sawyer found his Ciren side end the season relegated.

Kevin Sawyer

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