Chris Haigh said he is eager to get started, having reunited with Chris Agutter after completing a permanent move to Sutton.
Initially linking up with the Head Coach at Worthing last season, the the goalkeeper shared his excitement about the opportunity which will see him take on dual player and coaching roles, displaying the trust instilled in him from his boss.
“I’m buzzing, really looking forward to getting going.”
“As soon as the opportunity came up, I was desperate to make it happen. I’ve heard really good things about the lads, about the club, so yeah, really excited to get going and see what the future holds.”
As mentioned, a key factor in the move was the chance to work once again under Agutter, with whom Haigh has already enjoyed success, being number one during the bulk of Worthing’s run to the play-offs with a record-breaking points tally last term.
“Agi is top, I get on really well with him.”
“He’s a really, really good manager and an excellent coach, as well as the rest of the team, so, yeah, I’m looking forward to having another successful season under him.”
Looking back on his journey through the game so far, Haigh reflected on a career built steadily through academy football and the non-league system, having begun with stints at Watford and Gillingham before joining Northwood during the early days of his career.
The 28-year old went on to say that those experiences, including promotions and competing at different levels, are something he hopes will now benefit a young Sutton squad.
“Most of the lads that would have come through academy football – Gillingham for most of my time. And then I ended up playing non-league football, played at Step 4 with Heybridge Swifts and had a good season. Then went to Concord Rangers, had a really good season there, and subsequently went to, played with Oxford City in the National League, and then this year, Chelmsford City and obviously Worthing last year with Ags.”
“We’ve got a young group here, so my aim is to give as much experience as I can to the lads out here. Hopefully those promotions and stuff like that will help.”
“That’s one of the reasons why i’m here to help to help give that experience to the boys.”
One of the standout moments of his career so far came on the biggest stage non-league football can offer, even if the result did not go his way, with a Man of the Match display in the FA Trophy final that the goalkeeper reflects on fondly, playing a part in Concord Rangers run to Wembley.
“Yeah, it was a great day.”
“Playing in a trophy final at Wembley was was it was a great day, and I was fortunate enough to get Man of the Match. It was excellent, obviously the whole the whole day was incredible from start to finish, and I’ve only got fond memories of it.”
“I try not to look back that much, trying to look forward, but it’s a good day when I do choose to look back on it, for sure.”
Furthermore, since leaving Worthing, he has so far spent the first half of the season at Chelmsford, a spell he also looks back on positively, but the chance to return to Step One proved too good to turn down, with Haigh confirming that he is relishing the challenge ahead.
“It’s local, so that was good! It’s a good project over there, it’s going to take time over there – they want to go and and get promoted and that’s going to take time but Spencer [Gore], the owner, he’s in a really good head space to go and try and get it done and he’ll do everything to get that done.”
“It’s a good club, and I’ve got nothing but good things to say about them over there.”
“Last time I was here [Step One] I really enjoyed it, so I’m looking forward to getting going again. I’ve got a great team, got a good management team, really looking forward to getting going.”
Having already joined in with his new teammates on the training pitch, he was impressed by the strength and competition within the goalkeeping department, and commented on what he believes can add to the group.
“I think the group’s really good. I think we’ve got a really, really good goalkeeping union, strong in all departments.”
“I think all the goalies are good, that’s what I saw today – obviously, Simo [Jack Sims] is doing really well. Dave [Aziaya]’s obviously a good goalkeeper, Klevis [Muca] is good. I’ll add to that, so yeah, we’ve got a really, really strong group and we’ll keep pushing each other every day for sure.”
“I’m definitley Agi’s type of goalkeeper, I’d say, someone who’s good in possession, likes to play on the front foot, likes to play high line, a leader at the back. I’d say that’s the type of style goalkeeper that I am and hopefully I can bring that to the team.”
Looking ahead, the focus is firmly on contributing as much as possible this season and continuing the club’s upward momentum.
“Obviously, it’s been a tough start to the season, which has recently got better.”
“We’ll keep improving on that, you never know where the season will take us if we can keep improving and keep developing. Just to do as well as we can. then see what next season brings after that, but only after we’ve done everything that we need to do this year.”
