Interviewing... David Coles

The 40-year-old loves his job as the man who oversees the improvement of talented 'keepers from the age of eight up to senior team level at the St Mary's-based Premiership outfit.

Coles works at Southampton with number one Antti Niemi, Paul Smith, a £250,000 signing from Brentford after Paul Jones left, and rising under-21 prospect Alan Blayney, right down to 12-year-old Stuart Norman.

And despite a massively busy schedule, his level of commitment to every 'keeper under his tutelage is second to none.

He said: "My job is to get them into a position where they make the first team. I've no ego to fulfil - I just want to make all my 'keepers the best they can be.

"One of my key phrases is 'I build on your strengths and repair your weaknesses', and that's what I do.

"I really enjoy my job and consider myself to be in a fortunate position. The last six years at Saints have been superb, and every day I wake up and look forward to going to work.

"It's especially satisfying when you see a youngster you've been coaching since he was 12, like Michael Poke, sign pro-terms, as he did recently.

"But you can't sit back and think your job is done.

"You've always got to strive to improve yourself as a coach and the 'keepers you're working with."

Coles' own playing career never quite took off at the highest level, as he flitted between Birmingham City, Fulham, Crystal Palace and Brighton, before settling on a career outside the pro-game with Yeovil, Aldershot and Gloucester.

But he doesn't think that has acted as a hindrance when it comes to coaching Premiership stars and potential first-team players.

"I may not have had a top-flight career, but I am lucky enough to be good friends with people like Tim Flowers, Tony Coton and Eric Still, at Aston Villa, who was like a second dad to me and helped with everything I did," he explained.

"I've had to work hard to build my reputation over the years, and it's still something I will continue to do. I've just recently completed my 'A' licence goalkeeping qualification and will shortly be taking the Premiership level one.

"But people enjoy working with me and have never resorted to making comments about who I played for."

He added: "Antti and I get on so well and my DVD shows just what a great working relationship we have.

"He is someone who shares many of my feelings and passion for goalkeeping, always looking to develop his skills.

"Development is a big word in my coaching and Antti is still developing, into one of the best in the world without question."

Coles believes the vital role of the goalkeeper within football is one that needed to adapt to the modern game, which is why, a year ago, he released an instruction manual entitled Goalkeeping - with the specialist David Coles, which has since sold 2,000 copies.

It's also been a publication well received at FA headquarters in Soho Square, given its incorporation into their national blueprint after England's goalkeeping coaches - Ray Clemence and Mike Thomas - endorsed its quality as a teaching aid.

But Coles has now gone one better with the output of a 115-minute instructional DVD, of the same name as his book.

As a great advocate of live action and examples providing the best form of instruction, Coles joined with Eastleigh-based company Cass Productions to record the DVD over the last 12 months.

The DVD features a host of topics, including the drills and methods Coles uses with the Saints contingent, insights into their working relationships, a 35-minute documentary on goalkeepers and a 60-minute training section incorporating aspects like shot-stopping and coming for crosses.

Aspiring goalies, or those keen to better themselves between the posts, would do well to get themselves one of the 1,000 DVDs produced, such is its attention to detail.

Coles, who lives in Chineham, but is originally from Wandsworth, London, said: "Goalkeeping really has changed over the years.

"For example, there was the back-pass law which made things more complicated and put the pressure on a 'keeper of having to play with his feet more.

"So I felt it was time goalkeeping and the skills, personality and attributes you need to be one, were featured more in depth.

"I teamed up with Cass Productions, who've been very supportive, and they just came down to film as we went about my routines and coaching at various levels at Saints."

As he shows me through the disc, it is clear Coles is very proud of the final result.

Talking more about it, he said: "Once we had the footage and I bought some of the Premiership action copyright material, I was then able to plan the format of the DVD and include the most beneficial instruction.

"But it's not all serious, there's a bit of fun in there too, out-takes and antics, which kids will relate to and enjoy."

Coles is keen to hear from any businesses in Basingstoke who would like to stock copies of the DVD, priced at £19.99, in their stores.

He said: "Ideally, I'd like a shop in town to contact me as I'd really like to be able to hold a signing session, which Antti said he'd support me with by attending."