It's no exaggeration to say Nick Colgan’s appointment as Huddersfield Town’s first-team goalkeeping coach has been more than 20 years in the making.

The likable 40-year-old former Republic of Ireland international has been planning for a job like this since leaving Drogheda for London in 1992.

His destination was Stamford Bridge, and while he has represented 13 other clubs, including Town, his days at Chelsea remain firmly in his memory.

While he was signed by Ian Porterfield, the young Colgan spent the bulk of his time working under the guidance of Peter ‘The Cat’ Bonetti.

An rather than go back to his digs, he would remain at the training ground and help out with coaching the youngsters.

“Peter was a great goalkeeper, a great coach and a big influence on me,” recalled Colgan, who first joined Town on loan from Grimsby in 2010 and has spent the last two seasons as academy goalkeeping coach.

“I always took close note of the way he worked and conducted his sessions, and that carried on under other keeper coaches I worked with like Eddie Niedzwiecki, who was then at Chelsea and is now first-team coach at Stoke, and John Lukic at Barnsley.”

As well as the Reds, for whom he kept goal when they beat Town in the semi-finals on their way to League I play-off success in 2006, Colgan has also played for Bournemouth, Hibs, Ipswich and Sunderland.

And his loan stints include spells at Crewe, Millwall, Brentford, Reading, Stockport and Dundee United.

That means he has come into contact with a host of managers and coaches down the years.

I’ve picked up things from a lot of people, but I like to think I’m still my own man,” added Colgan, who coached part-time in the Barnsley academy while still a Town player.

“Working with the academy at Town has been fantastic and very enjoyable, but I feel I am ready to step up.

“My predecessor Paul Crichton missed a few weeks at the end of the season through injury and I covered for him, so I have had a taste of what’s to come.

“Obviously I’ve seen Alex Smithies progressing over the time I’ve been at the club, and I’ve worked with both Lloyd Allinson and Ed Wilczynski, who are coming through the ranks.

“I rate Alex very highly, and the best thing about him is that he’s still young.

“We’re talking about a 24-year-old who has already played more than 200 games and stepped up to the demands of the Championship very impressively.

We look set to sign another keeper to replace Ian Bennett, who has done a great job as Alex’s deputy and been a huge support to him.

“And this will be a big season for both Lloyd, who might benefit from a spell out on loan, and Ed, who should get some game time with the Under 21s.”

Colgan who won 10 international caps and was in many more Republic squads, works on both the physical and mental sides of goalkeeping.

“It is different to being an outfield player,” he added. “The nature of the position means mistakes are usually magnified.

“As a keeper, you will always make mistakes, it’s about how you respond.”

Bennett has been linked with Colgan’s old job, but Crewe have emerged as rivals for his services.

Manager Steve Davis is ready offer him a deal which includes both playing and coaching.

Academy product Ben Garratt, 20, is the regular stopper at the League I club.

Davis said: “There is only a small group of goalkeepers out there who could be what we are looking for.”

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