Pools keeper scoops award

Posted on 9th January 2007

Hartlepool United keeper Dimi Konstantopoulos has been awarded the League Two player of the month award for his performances in December. The Greek keeper went through the month without conceding a single goal for Hartlepool United as the club won all of their six games.

Until he was beaten in the 78th minute of Saturday's draw at Shrewsbury he had had not picked the ball out of the net since November 18th, a run which extended to 850 minutes of action. That run has drawn admirers from other clubs – Coventry again scouted him at the weekend – and Chris Kamara, chairman of the awards panel, joined them.

"Dimi is a very talented goalkeeper who was in inspired form in December. To go six games without conceding a goal is a terrific achievement and a real credit to him and his back four," said Kamara. "This solid defensive platform has helped Hartlepool go on a long unbeaten run and climb from mid–table to become serious contenders."

Konstantopoulos set a club record during the run, going eight games without conceding. And he was quick to pay tribute to his team–mates. "It's been a great run – but it's just my job to keep shots out. Maybe at the beginning of the season we were a bit nervous, adapting to a new league with a new manager and it took time for us to get going. Of course it's our aim to keep a clean sheet every game. You want to keep 46 clean sheets a season – that's the target – but it's not going to happen," he said.

Earlier Hartlepool United news

Pools a Championship club claims Barker
Barker close to signing for Pools
Record breaking Pools' manager up for award
Pools try again for Richie Barker
Pools make it seven wins in a row
Strachan set to leave Pools on loan
Pools look to increase gap
Swindon want Monkhouse back
Wilson delighted with latest result
Christmas is crucial says Williams
Adjustment has finally been made
Clark ends wait for goal
Wilson praise Boland's influence
Clark not bothered about missing out on Chelsea
We deserved the result – Wilson