ex-don nicholas reckons pittodrie is just the right place for fa cup final keeper to become a star
Forde would be ‘daft’ to choose Millwall over Aberdeen
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Former Aberdeen midfielder Peter Nicholas believes goalkeeper David Forde has all the attributes to be a great success at Pittodrie.
The Cardiff City goalkeeper is out of contract at the end of the season and the Dons await an answer from Forde – following the Bluebirds’ FA Cup final against Portsmouth on Saturday.
Nicholas not only rates the keeper highly but also believes the Dons would be the best possible move for Forde.
Nicholas said: “I know he has a few options, including Millwall, but he would be daft to pass up on going to a club such as Aberdeen. It is a fantastic club with a great set-up and the supporters are very passionate. I loved my time at Pittodrie.
“No disrespect to the likes of Millwall, but Aberdeen would be a terrific move for him.
“He would be playing at a very good level and competing for trophies and with the chance of playing in Europe.”
In 1999, Nicholas, then manager of Welsh Premier League side Barry Town, brought Forde, 28, over from Ireland. Forde later went on to West Ham in a deal which netted the Welsh club £75,000. Although his career has suffered several false starts since, Nicholas is convinced that Forde has the ability to shine at Aberdeen.
Nicholas, who joined Aberdeen in a £350,000 move from Luton Town in 1987 and who is currently manager of Welsh champions Llanelli, recently made his own approach to sign Forde. Nicholas said: “David is a top-class goalkeeper.
“I think he can play at a high level. He has just not had the breaks in the game. He is 6ft 4in, built like a tank, is a good shot-stopper and is very good with the ball at his feet as well.
“I signed him for Barry Town after he was recommended by Stewart Morgan, who has been Harry Redknapp’s chief scout for years. David was fantastic for us.
“He helped us win the league and he played for us in Europe.
“ It was after I had left Barry that David moved to West Ham but I was not surprised, no one was.
“He was young and I think a bit homesick, so he went back home to Galway United and then Derry City. He was the best goalkeeper in Ireland by a mile and Cardiff brought him back to league football.
“It is a shame things have not worked out for him there but I think City have a lot of good goalkeepers. I have seen a lot of him recently and have no doubts he will still make it.
“He played a big part in Bournemouth’s great run at the end of this season when he went there on loan, even though they could not avoid relegation after going into administration.
“I actually made an inquiry to Cardiff about him last week, but was told there were a few clubs after him.”
