Neil Etheridge
Fulham FC, Premier League, England (12th out of 20)
Bristol Rovers FC, Football League Two, England (14th out of 24)
The Football League DébutanteHis contract with the Premiership club was running out, but it did not stop him to begin his debut in the English Football League.
At the buildup to the 2012/13 season, the Philippines' first-choice and Fulham third-choice goalkeeper Neil Etheridge had to endure a "shaky pre-season" at the club after manager Martin Jol decided to loan out second choice 'keeper David Stockdale to Championship team Hull City. The club also had to handle disputes with US international midfielder Clint Dempsey (who eventually left the club to join Tottenham Hotspur), keep ties with first-choice 'keeper Mark Schwarzer, together with handling GK prospects Maarten Stekelenburg from AS Roma and Sinan Bolat from Standaard Liège.
The shake-ups ended when after a few matches on the bench at Craven Cottage, the club decided to loan him to Football League Two side Bristol Rovers FC on September, on the grounds that he gains match experience. The club from the West of England survived the danger of relegation of 2011/12, however were having a dangerous slow start at the start of 2012/13, with their first-choice goalkeeper and striker out with injury. His entry to the Memorial Stadium received massive media attention in the region, even prompting the BBC to conduct
an interview with him for their regional news programme
Points West. Local fans there grew curious how did this lad played for a Southeast Asian team and how will he make an impact for the club.
Neil made his first ever appearance in the Football League in the
0-0 draw against Fleetwood Town. Local fans were more than impressed for the Pinoy goalie as it was their first clean sheet after disappointing losses at the start of the season. Then on his second appearance, he again made an impact in their
2-1 win to Exeter City, gaining praise from commentators for his excellent goalkeeping performance, credited for his experience with the national team. Soon the club moved further away from the relegation zone.
In late November, just before the Philippine team begin their run in the 2012 AFF Suzuki Cup, Fulham decided to recall Etheridge after 7 appearances at Bristol Rovers. This effectively put him off to be released for the Southeast Asian tournament. Back at Fulham, he continued to play for the U21 reserves league, but later injured himself prompting the club to recall Stockdale from Hull. It was then reported to be not serious enough.
Speculation rose at the January transfer window after news that Maarten Stekelenburg was heading to London from Rome to sign a contract with the club. Rumours were circulating his entry could end the career of either Stockdale or Etheridge. However, it did not push through, therefore keeping them with the club.
Fulham gained their 40-point mark by late March after several wins. However, the club could not keep up by then and had a 7-match winless streak. Martin Jol then contemplated relegation but were kept safe by the eventual relegation of Wigan Athletic.
Fulham ended the season with a 3-0 victory at Swansea City, securing their Premier League status but there is plenty of conjecture about the immediate future of manager Martin Jol and his goalkeepers at the club.
Several days before their Swansea City match, the club announced that Neil Etheridge signed a 1-year extension at the club, with an option for another year. But this was done under the condition that he would be loaned out once more in the 2013/14 season. The club that he will be loaned out with hasn't been announced as of press time, but this will be another massive move.
As his future with the club hangs in the balance, Etheridge will now have to make it or break it next season to convince the club that he will be able take the club forward as their first-choice in the not-so-far future.