James McKeown

James Karl McKeown (born 24 July 1989) is a professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for side Cleethorpes Town.

Born in Birmingham, McKeown began his career aged 15 with Coventry City and Walsall youth teams, but was unable to establish himself and departed two years later.

He then joined Peterborough United; he spent time on loan with Kettering Town and Worcester City in 2007 prior to breaking into the Peterborough first team in 2008, however, his appearances where limited during his time there.

He eventually moved on to Walsall in their Under-15s setup, but failed to make a first team appearances before his departure in 2007.

McKeown was signed by Peterborough United.

He joined Conference North team Kettering Town on loan in August 2007 and made just one game on loan for Worcester City in October, in a 5–0 defeat against Hucknall Town, after being brought in on a month's loan as cover for Danny McDonnell.

During his time at Peterborough United he gained back to back promotions in the 2007–08 and 2008–09 seasons with the posh although McKeown was to make just four appearances in the Championship.

His last appearance for the Posh was in the final game of the season though despite a 1–0 defeat against Blackpool he was named man of the match, during the game his best save was leaping spectacularly to keep out DJ Campbell's sharp overhead kick at close range though he saw the same player spring from the ground to head in the rebound.

On 9 February 2008, McKeown made his first appearance for Peterborough United in League Two, coming on as a 76th-minute substitute for the injured Joe Lewis who was stretchered off following a nasty aerial collision.

He signed a 2 1⁄2-year contract extension on 16 March 2009.

The following season in League One he made one appearance on 2 May 2009 where he came off the bench in the 77th minute as Joe Lewis made way in the 2–2 draw with Swindon Town.

He was sent out to train with Manchester United for a week in October 2009 to receive specialist coaching.

McKeown was then loaned to Conference North side Boston United during the 2010–11 season where he made a total of 14 clean sheets in 18 games.

McKeown joined Boston United in August 2010 on loan until January 2011.

He played a key role in Boston's excellent start to the season with ten successive league clean sheets and had a total of 14 clean sheets in 18 games.

On New Year's Day he played his last game and received a fantastic reception and farewell from the Boston United supporters.

However, despite his remarkable record of clean sheets and fantastic form whilst on loan at Boston Peterborough United came to an agreement with James that he should seek pastures new.

McKeown spent a week at Lincoln City on trial and a one-off appearance for Boston United in the FA Trophy due to their keeper Dan Haystead being cup tied, he then signed for Dutch Rotterdam based semi-professional side RKSV Leonidas in the Hoofdklasse league.

On 23 June 2011, Grimsby Town announced they were in discussions to sign McKeown, following the club's announcement to bring in a second choice keeper to challenge number one Kenny Arthur after Town had heavily relied upon Goalkeeping Coach Steve Croudson in the previous season.

On 2 July 2011, he signed a one-year contract with Town.

McKeown played in the final of the Lincolnshire Senior Cup on 3 August 2011, beating Lincoln City 4–3 to win the cup at Sincil Bank.

McKeown was initially brought to the club as a backup keeper to challenge Kenny Arthur, but following an impressive pre-season he became the club's first choice keeper.

He made his league debut for Grimsby Town on 13 August 2011 in the 2–0 defeat against Fleetwood.

A week later he saved what became a crucial penalty against Newport taken by Craig McAllister to earn his side a 0–0 draw.

During the 2011–12 campaign he picked up three yellow cards, each for time wasting.

McKeown was also ever-present during the 2011–12 season helping Grimsby Town produce 18 clean sheets in 55 games.

On 24 April 2012, he picked up four awards for Player of the Year at the club's annual presentation.

On 30 April 2012, he agreed to a new two-year contract with the club.

McKeown played in the final of the Lincolnshire Senior Cup on 31 July 2012.

After the game finishing 1–1 at full-time, he saved a penalty inturn beating Lincoln City in a penalty shoot-out to win the cup at Sincil Bank for a second consecutive year.

McKeown retained the Supporters Player of the Season award when he scooped the prize again once more for his part during the 2013–14 season.

A host of clubs were believed to be chasing his signature, however on 16 May 2014, he agreed a new two-year contract with the club.

On 16 August 2014, McKeown saved a crucial last-minute penalty, the game finishing 1–1, preventing Dover winning the game.

He played in all the league games of the 2014–15 season as Grimsby came 3rd in the Conference, and secured a play-off spot.

A sixth-month stint at Dutch semi-professional outfit RKSV Leonidas had led to a trial with Eredivisie side Willem II, however, his previous managers at Boston signed him for Grimsby Town; he was ever present in the starting XI and five years on helped Grimsby to win promotion out of the National League in 2015–16 and 2021–22.

He moved on to play for League of Ireland side Finn Harps.

McKeown has represented the Republic of Ireland at under-19 level.

McKeown started his career with Coventry City as an Under-10 striker in their youth system, he went on trial in goal and spent two years in their Under-11s before being released.

He also played in the 2015 Conference Premier play-off final against Bristol Rovers at Wembley on 17 May 2015; following a 1–1 draw after extra time, Grimsby lost 5–3 in a penalty shoot-out.

McKeown picked up the Reusch Goalkeeper of the Year 2014–15 award on 20 May 2015, at The Non-League Paper's National Game Awards in association with The NLFA, for keeping 23 clean sheets himself.