Leaving United at the end of the season.

Would love to see him back at the club in some capacity. Absolute model pro to have around as a 3rd choice/GK coach

I don’t think a 39 year old keeper that hasn’t played a league minute since 2020 fits the ALK model.

If his name wasn’t Tom Heaton nobody would even consider that as an option.

If he's looking to go into coaching perhaps, or as a combination of that and 3rd or 4th choice sure.

I hope Barnsey takes a coaching role also. It would be lovely if we had the likes of those lads such as Mee, Cork etc al instilling the values and culture expected of the team that they themselves contributed to for so long.

Seriously, no. Same for Ben Mee

Milltown1882 wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 15, 2025 12:24 pm

I don’t think a 39 year old keeper that hasn’t played a league minute since 2020 fits the ALK model.

If his name wasn’t Tom Heaton nobody would even consider that as an option.

No, but he might fit the Parker model.

Realistically he would never play a minute for us, much like Scott Carson does for City. But as an absolute model pro who has been there and done it AND has a strong affinity with the club, there's far worse signings we could be making. Might actually allow us the opportunity to loan out Green so he can get some minutes to support his development too.

Not really sure what he could give us now but Tom would enhance any club.

Great for us at the time but since his departure we’ve moved on.

They way they other two are playing at the moment, you wouldn’t be surprised to see him in nets on Thursday. Bring some calm to that shaky defence.

Why would you consider him? Not played for 5 years and out current keeper coach has us setting all kinds of records for clean sheets and goals conceded

He would be an asset at any club and would be good for Burnley’s continuity / culture / business model to attract back such model professionals who understand the club and who bring in experience from elsewhere. As long as they don’t want 20 grand a week to do it of course.

Get him back.

Scott Carson is the same age on the books at Man City, experience and cover. If we did bring Heaton back he'd bring both to the party, and I'm not sure he'd be any worse than our current 2nd and 3rd choice keepers. Rumour is that he's retiring though.

Such a shame he got injured, ironically at the Turf, and has played so very little football since.

In all my years of watching Burnley, we have been blessed with some excellent keepers (and a few dodgy ones!), but Tom has to be one of my favourites- along with Alan Stevenson, who is the first one I can actually remember playing on the Turf.

Some of our support is obsessed with the thought of signing ex players as good as Heaton was for us we don't need past it players we need young hungry ones that can actually improve us or we are going to be yoyoing between the Premier league and the Championship forever I want us to become an established Premier league side with all the benefits that brings

If it was up to a lot of people on this messageboard the number of legends who are also good for the dressing room would be bigger than the actual squad of players

There would be worse third or second team keepers to have. Can't imagine he would be an expensive wage, a model professional, likes it here and could likely stay on as a coach. What's not to like? Hladacky likley dosnt want to be here next season. He left Ipswich because he didn't want to be number 2 in the prem and had more affinity with them.

No ones saying sell Traff and bring him in as number one. But as a temporary option for either second or third choice keeper? Not a bad option.

Milltown1882 wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 15, 2025 12:24 pm

I don’t think a 39 year old keeper that hasn’t played a league minute since 2020 fits the ALK model.

If his name wasn’t Tom Heaton nobody would even consider that as an option.

I disagree. We brought Barnes back as a temporary option. For more reasons than just playing ability. And although not as a player. We brought cork back to the fold as a coach.
Call me naive. But I think Pace has learned some lessons. And I think after last season he may have recognised the strength of a group and team spirit after Kompany decimated it.

No reason Heaton couldn't fill a gap.

We will have to do very clever business if we go up. Retaining funds for the key positions will be necessary. If that means not buying a second or third team keeper and bringing in an older head on a free. I'm ok with it.

I'm obviously biased but I genuinely believe that between 2015 - 2017 Tom was the best goalkeeper in England and by some distance.

equinox wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 16, 2025 5:30 pm

I'm obviously biased but I genuinely believe that between 2015 - 2017 Tom was the best goalkeeper in England and by some distance.

Agreed. He was really unlucky with injury and Villa then picking up one of the best young prospects in the world in Martinez. Going back to United felt like he went with heart over head a little bit.

He played some cup games for the club he supports. Can't really blame him for that, especially when he would be earning a good wage doing it.
Best handling I've seen from any Burnley keeper. Could pluck a 100mph shot out the air and hold on to it.