ONE of the stars of Oxford United's Milk Cup victory at Wembley is back helping the club try to recapture some of their glory days.

Former U's No 1 Alan Judge is one of the most familiar faces in United's coaching team. He assists Mike Reeve with coaching goalkeepers aged 12 to 16 on Thursday evenings at the club's Centre of Excellence, and he has recently taken on the job of coaching the senior keepers as well.

Since Mark Harrison left, along with Malcolm Shotton, United have been lacking an experienced specialised goalkeeping coach. But Judge, who had played recently at both Brackley Town and Kevin Brock's Banbury United, jumped at the chance to offer a hand.

And the 39-year-old knows all about "a safe pair of hands". They're a pre-requisite in his other job - a driving instructor with Acclaim Driving Academy.

"I do about 20 hours a week as a driving instructor with Acclaim, so it's a nice balance," Alan said. "It's flexible enough for me to do both and there aren't many jobs that allow you to do that.

"I'm half-driving, half-coaching because I've got other coaching commitments in Aylesbury as well, but should the coaching increase, that might affect the number of hours I do at the driving school. Right now, though, it's perfect." Judge was on the training ground this

week with Andre Arendse, back from South Africa, and Paul Lundin, recovering from his foot injury.

"Before I got the phone call recently from Mickey Lewis, it was Les Taylor who contacted me last summer," Judge revealed.

"I'd been coaching in Aylesbury at the Wright Football Development, and was also involved with (former Oxford United defender) Steve Wood's coaching schools in Hampshire.

"My career was winding down - I'm 40 in May - and I wanted to make myself available to any clubs who might need me, but I never pursued it.

"I obviously played at Banbury because I knew Brocky, but I told him he should look for someone else. I know Lawrie Sanchez at Wycombe and Richard Hill at Stevenage, but it was really only through knowing Mickey that I've got this chance.

"I appreciate the opportunity. When you're not playing, the next best thing is to be out on the training ground, and Les Taylor is giving me advice on how to get the UEFA B coaching badge, which I need. I'm just getting back into the swing of it but I'm thoroughly enjoying it."

When he arrived at the Manor from Reading on Christmas Eve 1984, Judge was given the thankless task of shadowing Steve Hardwick, but he soon repaid Maurice Evans's faith in him by proving agile and quick around his penalty area, although his lack of height meant he could sometimes be chipped.

But he was a popular keeper with the fans - and it's great to see him back involved with the club again. SAFE PAIR OF HANDS . . . from teaching others to drive to coaching United's goalkeepers - Alan Judge

Story date: Saturday 19 February

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