Lincoln City gave one lucky fan a money cannot buy opportunity to learn to Save Like a Pro, alongside their up-and-coming first team goalkeeping star, Sam Long. 

Ahead of the new season, student Quinn Johnson was invited to the Soper of Lincoln Elite Performance Centre, to experience a professional goalkeeping coaching session and get tips on how to save energy on and off the pitch. 

The session included catching and footwork exercises, first touch drills for distribution, working on movement and alignment, trigger points and reactions saves as well as how to save energy when moving from one side of the goal to the other and how to preserve mental energy in a tough game. 

The training session was organised as part of Smart Energy GB and EFL’s ‘Save Like a Pro’ campaign, which highlights how getting a smart meter installed can help people make small changes at home to save energy and be more in control of their energy bills.

Johnson was put through his paces by Long, 18, and City’s goalkeeping coach, Steve Croudson. 

Long, who has been at The Imps for three years since signing on a scholarship but is now part of the senior squad, wanted to get involved to give fans like Johnson a chance to experience a professional standard training session. 

“It’s been great to welcome Quinn to the training ground and give something back to the community because to give people that opportunity that maybe some others won’t get is very important,” said Long, speaking to encourage Lincoln City fans to get a smart meter installed. 

Smart meters put an end to estimated bills and come with an in-home display so users can easily see where energy is being used, meaning they can make small changes to save energy and budget more easily.

“We went through various drills and put him through his paces, with a focus on conserving as much energy as possible in goal, which is imperative as a goalkeeper,” added Long.

“You might have had very little to do during a match, and then be called upon late on which could ultimately be the difference in getting a result.

“We went through the importance of catching the ball as much as possible and finding the shortest possible route to the ball to make sure you’re doing everything you can to conserve your energy. 

“We were going through some of the saves he was making, and we decided that he could work on just getting an extra step in when he was diving and that could help him cover more ground in the goal. 

“I think it’s something he’s going to look at and hopefully it’s something he will take on board.

“Also, things like communication in a game can really help to keep you concentrated and focused.

Craven Herald: Amateur Quinn Johnson was put through his paces by Imps shot-stopper Sam LongAmateur Quinn Johnson was put through his paces by Imps shot-stopper Sam Long

“The night before a game it’s very important to do the right things to conserve your energy. I like to get a good night’s sleep and get enough carbs on board through foods like pasta. “That’s the best way I find of conserving my energy.

“Quinn did really well in the session, I was very impressed, and it was great to chat to him about the best ways of saving energy in and outside of football. 

“I really enjoyed learning and talking about how we can control energy off the pitch too, such as getting a smart meter installed. Now I’m aware of the benefits and the good things about smart meters I will definitely look into getting one installed.

“It’s very important to understand how much energy you’re using, how much you are paying and the best way to budget for that."

Long is still waiting for his first team debut having signed his first professional contract last season but is hoping to get a chance this term as No.2 to West Brom loanee Josh Griffiths in boss Michael Appleton’s pecking order. 

Despite being a Manchester United fan, Johnson will be keeping a keen eye on his mentor in League One. 

Johnson, from Birmingham, set his sights on becoming a professional goalkeeper when he got his first proper taste of life between the sticks as a 13-year-old at Carib Sport and Social Club FC when the keeper did not turn up and he took the gloves and never looked back. 

Johnson played for Melton Town FC in the United Counties League Division One last season, but the 19-year-old is studying Sports Science at Nottingham Trent University and is looking forward to football trials ahead of the start of his second year and he can’t wait to put the tips from Long and Croudson into practice in the new season. 

He said: “It was really enjoyable, a really good day out, it’s where you dream to be at these professional clubs in a professional environment.

“It was good intensity today, it was tiring towards the end, but I really enjoyed it, I like working hard. It’s hard but at the end of the day if you want to get better you have to work hard.

“It was an excellent standard, excellent session. A hard session but it was enjoyable, and it was a great opportunity to be here and train with Steve today.

“I just gave it my all anyway and worked through the tiredness. If you work through the tiredness, you get fitter anyway.

“Before matches I try to go to bed earlier but to be honest, I keep the same routine as I keep during the week, to try and stay consistent.

“I do a lot off the pitch but when it’s rest time, I’ll rest, relax and do things with my family, conserving my energy ready for big moments and big opportunities.

“I do try manage my energy use at home - I flick off my light switches when I leave the room and don’t have them on until it gets dark.

“I’ve been convinced to get a smart meter because Steve’s got one and he said it is hugely helpful with managing energy usage and ultimately saves him money each month.Johnson wanted to show the standard at amateur level really isn't too far off the professional side of the game

He added: “This is everyone’s dream, it’s where they want to end up at, professional football. 

“I’ve just got to keep working hard, keep grinding and hopefully it comes through one day.

“It was fantastic to get the opportunity to meet Sam. It’s good to learn from him, he’s on the journey that I want to get to.

“It’s been a really great opportunity to train here at Lincoln City Football Club, I’ve really enjoyed it. 

“I’ve trained with Steve and Sam Long today and it was fantastic and it’s like a family here, so I really appreciate the opportunity.

“I’m going to take the tips Sam and Steve gave me back into training at home, there’s a couple of little things that I will bring into my game now and hopefully that will make me better.”

Some of the tips discussed to manage energy off the pitch by Long and Johnson were using fewer appliances and lights during the summer months, hanging washing outside rather than using a dryer and speaking to your energy supplier about getting a meter installed to help control your usage, with pre-pay customers able to top up from their mobile or online. 

While turning your appliances off standby mode, switching off lights when not in use and cooking for everyone at once, to use the oven less, are key energy-saving practices.  

Robert Cheesewright, Director at Smart Energy GB said: “Footballers and goalkeepers need to know how to conserve their energy on and off the pitch, and the same goes for our own energy use at home. 

“Getting a smart meter from your energy supplier means, through automatic billing and having greater control of your energy use, you’ll have one less thing to worry about. 

“The in-home display allows you to see in near-real time how much energy you are using in pounds and pence - meaning you can make some great saves, just like our goalkeepers today. 

“Join the energy revolution and help upgrade Britain’s energy infrastructure by getting a smart meter installed at no extra cost.”

If you would like to register your interest in getting a smart meter installed, contact your energy supplier. Smart Energy GB and the EFL Partnership: Save Like a Pro. For more information visit https://www.weareimps.com/news/2021/september/learning-to-save-like-a-pro-with-sam-long/