Chelmsford City have announced that their goalkeeper Carl Pentney is joining the Town academy staff.

Pentney will be replacing Darren Smith, who joined the Colchester senior coaching staff in the summer, as academy goalkeeper-coach working at all levels from U9s up to U23s.

The 30-year-old joined Chelmsford for his fourth spell with the club in the summer and made 19 appearances, keeping four clean sheets.

Pentney told the Clarets official site: "I'm leaving not for footballing reasons, but because I cannot commit to the schedule of part-time football. I would like to thank the club for everything and wish them the best of luck."

Chelmsford manager Rod Stringer added: "Pents is retiring and going full-time with Ipswich Town, which was confirmed this week.

"It's a shame because we wanted him to go away on a high, but unfortunately he's possibly left us now on a low [following yesterday’s 2-2 draw at home to Dorking Wanderers].

"We wish him well and good luck to him moving on. Pents is a top, top guy and I've got no qualms with him at all.

"We need to bring a new goalkeeper in now. Pents is a lovely man and has been a great goalkeeper at non-league level.

"I hope he enjoys life at Ipswich Town and we'll of course keep in touch with him."

Assistant manager Nick Haycock said: "I just want to wish Carl Pentney all the luck in the world with his new job at Ipswich Town.

"As with Max Porter it’s a great opportunity for him. We gave him a round of applause before the game on behalf or everyone at the club.

"He is a great lad who has had an excellent playing career which he has had to put on hold so that he can give the opportunity his all. Wish you well Pents stay in touch and look after that lovely family."

Pentney started his playing career at Leicester but spent virtually all a well-travelled playing career in non-league, although he did have three years with his hometown club Colchester United between 2010 and 2013 but without making a senior appearance.

Boss Stringer also confirmed that the Clarets would not be looking to bring Town right-back Barry Cotter back to the Melbourne Community Stadium.

"Last week Chelmsford sought to extend the Irishman’s loan until early December but the move was blocked, along with Corrie Ndaba’s proposed loan switch to the Clarets, by the National League due to financial issues at the Essex club.

Photo: TWTD

AlanG296 added 16:30 - Nov 10 Hope he coaches better than he keeps. Apparently he had a nightmare performance yesterday.
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CanadianBlue added 16:52 - Nov 10 Is he going to be registered as a player? Seem to recall a GK coach remaining on the books as a coach/player for emergency purposes and him being on the bench for a game. Early 2000s?
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Marcus added 20:44 - Nov 10 Don't forget Phil Parkes, the last time we had a goalkeeper coach play a first team game. We only had Craig Forrest at the time and he was injured so Parkes was our reserve. At a conservatively estimated 17 stone, since then it's been said we've had a strong bench at Portman Road.
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slade1 added 08:07 - Nov 11 Strange appointment in my opinion. Carl Pentney has never reached any kind of decent level in his career. OK he does run a goalkeeper academy but surely Ipswich would want a higher standard goalkeeper coach?
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Bergholtblue added 09:44 - Nov 11 Not being a top player does not mean that you cannot be a top coach. Similarly, being a top player does not mean you can be a top coach. For every Gerrard and Lampard I could name 2 or 3 that failed as coaches/managers. Yet some of the best managers in the past and at the top today did not have glittering player careers. Even Sir Bob himself, as per his autobiography, said "as a player I didn't win a thing!"

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jabberjackson added 11:31 - Nov 11 To be fair to Sir Bobby, did play for England 20 times But I do agree the point 100% Another good example is Jose Mourinho
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