John Achterberg
Encyclopedia
John Achterberg is a retired Dutch
footballer, who played as a goalkeeper
for NAC Breda
, FC Eindhoven
and Tranmere Rovers
. He is now the goalkeeping coach for Liverpool
.
Achterberg first signed for Tranmere Rovers in 1998, after a successful trial as a replacement for the Everton bound Steve Simonsen
. He was immediately selected for the first team due to an injury to Danny Coyne
, making his debut against Swindon Town on 25 September 1998. Achterberg then secured his place as Rovers' first choice goalkeeper after Coyne was transferred to Grimsby Town in 1999. Achterberg became part of the giant-killing cup teams that defeated such opponents as Everton
, Southampton
and other big teams. Achterberg's proficiency in goal was exemplified by the 20 clean sheets he kept during the 2003–04 season under the stewardship of Brian Little
. One of his more memorable performances was against Millwall
in an FA Cup
quarter final at The New Den which was televised on BBC 1. The game finished goalless, but was largely dominated by Millwall and John managed to save a penalty kick
from Kevin Muscat
, despite having to play through injury.
Achterberg's 2005–06 season was less successful. After spending most of the season sidelined with injuries, he was replaced by Steve Wilson and Dino Seremet
, who was on loan from Luton Town. Achterberg's chances of re-establishing himself as Tranmere's first choice goalkeeper in 2006–07 were hampered by the signing and good form of veteran journeyman Gavin Ward
. Later in the season, an injury to Ward gave Achterberg a chance, but a re-occurrence of his own injury problems saw him sit out the closing months of the season.
Achterberg's contract expired in May 2007 and he was released by Tranmere on 25 May. This resulted in uproar from many Tranmere fans, who believed that Achterberg deserved a testimonial match
, despite him falling just short of the ten years' service usually required to earn a testimonial at a club. On 31 May, however, he was given a two year coaching and player contract with Tranmere. Achterberg made his 300th Rovers appearance in the opening day game of the 2008–09 season against Swindon Town.
After retiring from playing in 2009, Achterberg joined Liverpool FC
in June 2009 as a goalkeeping coach of the reserve and academy goalkeepers.
Achterberg had his testimonial game in 2009 for Tranmere against an Everton XI.
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
footballer, who played as a goalkeeper
Goalkeeper (football)
In association football, the goalkeeper occupies a position that represents the last line of defence between the opponent's offence and his own team's goal. The primary role of the goalkeeper is to defend his team's goal and prevent the opposition from scoring a goal...
for NAC Breda
NAC Breda
NAC Breda , simply often known as NAC, is a Dutch professional football club, based in Breda, Netherlands. NAC Breda play in the Rat Verlegh Stadium, named after their most important player, Antoon 'Rat' Verlegh. They play in the Dutch Eredivisie and are known by the fierce and fanatic support of...
, FC Eindhoven
FC Eindhoven
FC Eindhoven is a Dutch football club based in Eindhoven, North Brabant. They current play in the Eerste Divisie , and are one of two professional clubs which are based in the city of Eindhoven, the other one being PSV Eindhoven....
and Tranmere Rovers
Tranmere Rovers F.C.
Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system...
. He is now the goalkeeping coach for Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
.
Achterberg first signed for Tranmere Rovers in 1998, after a successful trial as a replacement for the Everton bound Steve Simonsen
Steve Simonsen
Steven Preben Arthur "Steve" Simonsen is an English footballer who plays for Sheffield United as a goalkeeper. Born in South Shields, Tyne and Wear he started his senior career at Tranmere Rovers before spells with Everton and Stoke City...
. He was immediately selected for the first team due to an injury to Danny Coyne
Danny Coyne
Daniel "Danny" Coyne is a Wales international footballer who plays for Middlesbrough as a goalkeeper. He has previously played for Tranmere Rovers, Grimsby Town, Leicester City and Burnley.-Tranmere Rovers:...
, making his debut against Swindon Town on 25 September 1998. Achterberg then secured his place as Rovers' first choice goalkeeper after Coyne was transferred to Grimsby Town in 1999. Achterberg became part of the giant-killing cup teams that defeated such opponents as Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
, Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
and other big teams. Achterberg's proficiency in goal was exemplified by the 20 clean sheets he kept during the 2003–04 season under the stewardship of Brian Little
Brian Little (footballer)
Brian Little is an English former football player and manager who is currently without a job after being relieved of his duties as manager of Gainsborough Trinity on 22 August 2011. Little has previously managed Darlington, Leicester City, Aston Villa, Stoke City, West Bromwich Albion, Hull City,...
. One of his more memorable performances was against Millwall
Millwall F.C.
Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...
in an FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
quarter final at The New Den which was televised on BBC 1. The game finished goalless, but was largely dominated by Millwall and John managed to save a penalty kick
Penalty kick
A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play...
from Kevin Muscat
Kevin Muscat
Kevin Muscat is an Australian football player who currently plays for Victorian State League Division 1 side Sunshine George Cross and is assistant coach of Melbourne Victory...
, despite having to play through injury.
Achterberg's 2005–06 season was less successful. After spending most of the season sidelined with injuries, he was replaced by Steve Wilson and Dino Seremet
Dino Seremet
Dino Seremet is a Slovenian football goalkeeper who currently plays for Lokomotiv Plovdiv.Seremet has also previously spent a loan spell at Tranmere Rovers F.C. and Doncaster Rovers F.C., while contracted to Luton Town F.C.. Whilst in loan to Tranmere, Seremet has been their first-choice goalkeeper...
, who was on loan from Luton Town. Achterberg's chances of re-establishing himself as Tranmere's first choice goalkeeper in 2006–07 were hampered by the signing and good form of veteran journeyman Gavin Ward
Gavin Ward (footballer)
Gavin John Ward is a former professional footballer and coach who played in the position of goalkeeper from 1987 until 2011. He is currently Goalkeeping Coach at Shrewsbury Town...
. Later in the season, an injury to Ward gave Achterberg a chance, but a re-occurrence of his own injury problems saw him sit out the closing months of the season.
Achterberg's contract expired in May 2007 and he was released by Tranmere on 25 May. This resulted in uproar from many Tranmere fans, who believed that Achterberg deserved a testimonial match
Testimonial match
A testimonial match or testimonial game, often referred to simply as a testimonial, is a practice in some sports, notably football and especially in the United Kingdom, where a club puts on a match in honour of a player for service to the club....
, despite him falling just short of the ten years' service usually required to earn a testimonial at a club. On 31 May, however, he was given a two year coaching and player contract with Tranmere. Achterberg made his 300th Rovers appearance in the opening day game of the 2008–09 season against Swindon Town.
After retiring from playing in 2009, Achterberg joined Liverpool FC
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
in June 2009 as a goalkeeping coach of the reserve and academy goalkeepers.
Achterberg had his testimonial game in 2009 for Tranmere against an Everton XI.