'It was amazing working with him' - Former Larne and Crusaders goalkeeper ready to grasp senior opportunity after learning from Northern Ireland international

The 21-year-old has progressed through the academies at Glentoran, Larne and Crusaders, making his Premiership debut for the Inver Reds aged 16 while also winning the U20 league title during time spent at Seaview.

Pauley’s search for senior experience has brought him to Armagh City, Queen’s University and Ballymacash Rangers, but he’s now set to take on the main job at Cheney Park after arriving earlier this week.

He has got to work alongside some talented goalkeepers throughout his young career so far, but learning from Tuffey, who spent a decade across the water and represented his country on eight occasions, stands out.

"I've worked with a lot of amazing coaches and goalkeepers and every one you work with you get hints and tips that can really improve your game,” he sad. “One of the best for it was Jonny Tuffey and Davy McClelland when I was at the Crues.

"I learned so much from them and it was a good time for me when I was trying to make that transition from U20 football to learn so much from two very experienced people.

"It was amazing working with him (Tuffey). He sets the standards really high in everything he does, whether that's in training or matches. Those standards help you perform and that's what you need if you're going to develop.

"You can't learn that anywhere else – the only place to learn is from someone like Jonny Tuffey, who has that experience, knows the tips and tricks and knows everything you need to improve. I was very grateful to learn from him."

With regular Larne keeper Conor Devlin injured and Conor Mitchell sent off, Pauley was unexpectedly thrust into the Irish League’s top-flight in September 2019 during a 4-1 victory away to Institute, just a matter of months after arriving at Inver Park.

"I told my dad on the way up 'there's no point you coming sure I won't get on' and then next thing you know there's a red card and I was on,” he recalls. “It was a great experience because not many people get to do it.

"All the players were great with me and all helped me out. Dad joked with me on the way up 'what are you going to say in your interview after the match?' and I told him not to be silly, but what do you know - I was brought on and had to do an interview after the game!

"We were 4-0 up when I came on and we gave away a penalty so thought I had a chance for glory, but unfortunately I didn't get it."

Those experiences have all stood the young shot stopper in good stead for this next chapter with Jeff Brady’s side, who play in MUFL Intermediate A, and Pauley is determined to repay the faith put in him by his new boss.

"It's all well and good playing here and there, but you need to get senior minutes and that's what I want to get,” he said. “I couldn't have asked for a better opportunity than what Jeff has offered me - it's a great chance to come in at a good level and at a very good club with big ambitions.

"He told me I'm going to get minutes and that's really important to me at this stage of my career. A lot of managers wouldn't put that trust in a young goalkeeper when they are rebuilding - it's a position a lot of people would want to bring someone more experienced into, but he's willing to give me the chance which means a lot."