Town Confirm Gerken Signing
Friday, 12th Jul 2013 16:47

Town have confirmed the signing of former Colchester United and Bristol City goalkeeper Dean Gerken on a two-year deal. A fortnight ago, TWTD was first to reveal that the 28-year-old would join the Blues for their training camp in Ireland and last week reported that Gerken was close to joining Mick McCarthy's squad.

Gerken, from Rochford in Essex, began his career as a youth player with Southend before moving on to the U’s in 2002.

After seven years with Colchester — during which time he spent a short spell on loan with Darlington — the 6ft 4in tall keeper moved on to Bristol City for an undisclosed fee in June 2009.

While at Ashton Gate he made 60 appearances, having been former England keeper David James’s deputy for much of the time.

Blues fans will recall his outstanding performance to earn his side a 0-0 draw at Portman Road in February 2010.

Gerken, who played alongside Anthony Wordsworth at Colchester and Cole Skuse and Paul Anderson at Bristol City, was in goal for 45 minutes of Town's pre-season game at Shelbourne and then the full 90 minutes at Crawley on Wednesday.

Photo: ITFC

Photo: Action Images

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Blueboy added 16:54 - Jul 12 Welcome aboard Dean
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tractorboybig added 16:54 - Jul 12 now only a right back cover
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murraybrunning added 16:59 - Jul 12 good cover keeper, good business.
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Sindre94 added 17:00 - Jul 12 Welcome aboard!
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newburyblue added 17:03 - Jul 12 Not seen much of this chap, but welcome to the club. Be interesting to see if he is the direct replacement for ALB as No.3 and whether we'll still look to get in Henderson on loan as No.1 with Loach as No.2; Or whether we'll just stick with Loach & Gerken to fight it out for No.1, promoting a youth team GK as 3rd choice cover.
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TractorCam added 17:05 - Jul 12 Welcome Dean!
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Robbie12345 added 17:07 - Jul 12 Sounds a great signing! Just what we need, welcome!
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TractorCam added 17:09 - Jul 12 Seems like big Mick has moved on from Wolverhampton and has turned his attention to Bristol City
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mrmorisato added 17:10 - Jul 12 A good 2nd choice keeper to have :)
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AbujaBlue added 17:20 - Jul 12 Good news I'd say. Although he did not have a lot of action versus Crawley, quiet was not a word that could be used to describe him. He had a great command of the box (and beyond), and I wouldn't be surprised if he lost his voice after that game!
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StuartBrett8 added 17:22 - Jul 12 Welcome Deano, or Gerko.... whatever you prefer :)
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Mark added 17:30 - Jul 12

Reading about him, he does sound more like a backup goalkeeper with his years at Colchester, and having been released by Bristol City, not having played for them since a 4-0 defeat in January. He's probably a better backup than Lee-Barrett or Brown, but does this mean:

A) The manager is confident in Loach as our number one next season; or
B) We will bring in another goalkeeper (Bartosz Bialkowski)?

RetroBlue added 17:34 - Jul 12 i doubt he 's been brought here as"back up". I wouldnt be surprised to him pressing very hard for a 1st team slot. His handling in the area is very good by all accounts.
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Britton1996 added 17:39 - Jul 12 he must be terrible he couldn't even get infront of David james at bristol city and he was diabolical
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Lennyboy added 17:41 - Jul 12 I'm getting really excited now, we're building what seems like a pretty decent team and the season is only three weeks away. New home shirt bought-yes, entrance money ready for the games I can get to-yes, voice in tune...more or less, excitement level....bursting. COYB!!!!!!
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jas0999 added 17:43 - Jul 12

People say he will be 'good cover' - but IMO he will probably be the No. 1. Unless another keeper is also signed. Interesting that Loach didn't get a game against Crawley when the entire 10 out-field players were changed at half-time. If Loach was going to be our No. 1, surely some time playing along side our defenders was essential? I still believe that MM doesn't rate Loach. Won't be surprised if he starts at Reading. Can't see Gerken being happy with 'guaranteed number two'!

Time will tell. All very interesting!

Cornish_Bluey added 17:46 - Jul 12 looks like a good signing.good news as well
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Cakeman added 17:48 - Jul 12 I am sure Mick will consider all his players as first eleven potential, I cannot believe he has bought Gerken just to make up the numbers and from what I have seen of him he will certainly be pushing for a start. Good to have Two very capable keepers.
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derbyblue04 added 17:48 - Jul 12 Hopefully he wont get into a pickle while he's with us
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paulnstar added 17:59 - Jul 12 MARK he was only back up to aiden davison at Colchester as he was was the youth player soon as davison retired he was number 1 and had such an outstanding season the year Colchester got relegated with a pitiful defence in front of him got himself a move back to championship ,he will be number 1 at town
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h32 added 18:00 - Jul 12

....... just about what we can afford by all accounts - so we have to be happy, with the purse strings as they are.

Hate to admit this, but the gap continues to widen between us and the incumbents at the other end of the A140 - so much for a multi - million pound owner !! .....

At least we have two keepers now that we can call our own - a third wouldn't go amiss.

This lad is a decent keeper.

superblues1969 added 18:04 - Jul 12

Saw Dean a number of times when he played for Col U as a mate was a season ticket holder. In all the games I saw, he never let them down even when the U's supporters were giving everyone else stick (as they tend to do to their own players) Great cover player, and pleased that Mick is sticking with Scott as he is a fine keeper. Welcome aboard Dean, have no worries now should Loachy get injured.