It was not long ago when Bobby Shuttleworth spent his time riding the bench behind everyday starter Matt Reis for the New England Revolution. Now three years later, Shuttleworth has earned not only the starting spot for this young, talented club, but he has also earned himself a contract extension that will keep him at Gillette Stadium for years to come.
While it is team policy that the Revolution not release any details on contract extensions that are made for any club personal, through Shuttleworth’s own words, fans are aware that they will be seeing him between the pipes for at least another few years.
“Obviously this is the only club that I have ever been at and I’m happy to be able to stay a couple more years and hopefully we’ll be able to continue the success that we’ve had recently,” said Shuttleworth
While Shuttleworth was signed by the Revolution way back in 2009 after playing his college career at the University of Buffalo, his name was rarely called upon for a long time. However, all of that changed in 2013 after then starting goalkeeper Reis spent the majority of the season out injured. However through these developmental starts, Shuttleworth was able to learn the trade and become one of the best goalkeepers the Revolution have ever seen.
“To be honest, It was a slow process, but they gave me the games when they could,” he said. “Fortunately enough, I was able to do well enough to continue to grow. I’m just really happy to get the chance to continue to play here.”
Incredible to think Bobby - at 28 yrs old - is 2nd all-time in wins as a GK with NE (37). Richly deserved extension. https://t.co/0nVhO7Uotx
— Jeff Lemieux (@jeff_lemieux) August 24, 2015
At the age of 28, Shuttleworth has had the opportunity to appear in 97 games so far as a member of the Revolution and for a team who is full of young talent, they will continue to rely on his shoulders to produce night in and night out.
“We have a young team, but we have a lot of guys that have good experience for being so young,” Shuttleworth said. “I think in our locker room, it’s a combination of a lot of different things, a lot of different guys. When people need to step up and take a leadership role, that happens a lot.”
If the Revolution look to continue their hot streak as of late and make another run in the Eastern Conference, they will have to rely on Shuttleworth to continue to make the key saves at the right moments as he has done for his club all year.
While central defenders Andrew Farrell and Jose Goncalves have been playing better soccer as of late, the lack of experience with Farrell at center back as well as the lack of center back depth on the roster could be a problem for the Revolution moving forward.
With that said, to be able to have a goalkeeper with the ability to make clutch saves is a rarity for any team in the MLS. In light of that fact, by showing faith in Bobby Shuttleworth for years to come, Revolution fans fears for the future can certainly diminish as they know that they have a goalkeeper in which they can trust.
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