Assess.Decide.React - WarbyGK

  Home

Products

Shop

Goalkeepers

Blog

Contact

Links

History

Thursday, 25 February 2010

What IS that thing?!

Wow, busy week all in all so far, the phones in the office have been ringing their little heads off! There's some small chinks of light at the end of this weeks tunnel namely in that on Friday my beautiful wife is taking me Dog Racing (though I think the Dogs will beat me!) and on Monday we're having the 20 week scan for our third child! If they aren't enough to keep me going through these thirteen hour shifts, then I'm in the wrong life!

I like to see innovation and fresh thinking with any products from simple things like cardboard boxes right up to cars; development and change is a way of life and should be embraced as such so I have to give mention to this new goalkeeper training product: RESPONSEBALL. I'll hold my hands up to say that I am yet to try it (primarily because I'm a cripple), even though Glen (owner, designer and probable tea maker!) did offer up some samples it's not my style to take freebies. The amount of emails that we get asking for samples on a daily basis is unreal, and some people seem to think that because they play for the Dog and Duck FC Third team, twice removed, that they are entitled to a freebie.... Anyway back to the topic, Glen's design is certainly intriguing and I can see the merits of using this, especially for the younger goalkeeper so I really hope that it takes off for him and would urge all of you with just a slim interest to get one and try it. The design of the RESPONSEBALL is unique and definitely gets you thinking even before purchase so I think that this innovation certainly has a place in goalkeeper development. Have a wander over to http://www.responseball.com/ and have a look for yourself. I know how hard it is to launch something that has your heart, and as we have been finding with creating our goalkeeper gloves that research, development and exclusivity are the keys but it all comes at a price so I applaud and support anyone who has the passion to deliver on their promises and can be unique without claiming to have invented fire!

22 February 2010

The start of another week, the computer's warming up, kettle's just boiled and I've opened the blinds to watch the world wake up outside my desk. There is something hypnotic about seeing the sun slowly rise, the early risers go about their daily tasks and the traffic slowly increasing as daylight replaces the night. I have always been one for early mornings and love the flexibility that I am afforded within my capacity as Director for WarbyGK Goalkeeper Gloves, how many other office jobs would let you pick and choose your starting times?

Speaking of offices, we received an email through at the end of last week with details of new premises. In all honesty we're not really in a position to move currently, nor is it a necessity but the new office has four units which means that unsocial little me could have an office all to myself, hmmm now there's a thought! In addition to this 4 room bonus, it is in the town centre and even better is quite near to KFC...........now where's the agents number? What more could you ask for really?! I'm not a big one for change so we'll see what develops, of course if we can negotiate a cracking deal then it's potentially a no brainer but we're not into spending money for the sake of it so let's see where this new ride takes us.

One small end paragraph is to include my ridiculous schoolboy excitement about my Puma Kings impending delivery! I've spoke to Parcelforce and after paying their extortionate extra fees to import these football boots from the USA, they have guaranteed delivery for this morning. I'll wait and see, but suffice to say there is something ridiculously addictive about new footy boots, especially ones as iconic as the Puma King!

Thursday, 18 February 2010

Well, that's that then!

Apologies for the delay in today's blog as I usually try to have it up and online by 0630 GMT, but things have been sidetracked a little today with the news about my knee.....

It's virtually all over for me I'm afraid, I spoke at length with my GP yesterday and he's confirmed my worst fears that my knee is infact not right, and nowhere near the stage we'd rightly have expected at this stage in my recovery. It's now 8 months post op but it seems in all honesty that my mobility is worsening, the pain is increasing and the frustration building! I've been waiting for an MRI scan in order to see exactly what's gone wrong since December, but the decline in my range of movement since then has been alarming, so much so that I cannot drive a car anymore as I can't exit without an almighty struggle. I have a van that I used for coaching and I'm having to drive this now as it's easier to step out of but it's a bit of a further kick in the teeth - driving a Vauxhall Vivaro over a Jaguar! Bloody knee!

The Doctor confirmed that I have a positive anterior draw, apprehension upon movement and that it is not stable enough to support change of direction or pace. Worryingly is that he's stated that this may be the best it'll get and even used the phrase "Medically Retired". There is still a tiny glimmer of light at the end of this tunnel, and for as long as that remains visible then I will be doing my best to reach it but suffice to say that if I could turn back the clocks and opt to not have the operation then I certainly would!

Anyways, lighter note to end with(!) don't forget to sign up for our FREE Newsletter to keep updated with the events with WarbyGK, and take a look at Adam Collin donning the gloves that carried him through to Wembley against MK Dons last Saturday - see it's not all doom and gloom this Thursday!

15 February 2010

What an absolute cracking week for all involved in WarbyGK goalkeeper gloves, mainly caused by Adam Collin being in line to be the first goalkeeper to wear our gloves at Wembley when he turns out for Carlisle United against Southampton on March 28th. Couple this with the emails we receive from our factories regarding the samples mean the whole office has been buzzing for a few days now!

We are expecting further samples to be despatched this week as we have harnessed the feedback from the last couple of batches and implemented the changes to this new batch of sample goalie gloves, and are really keeping our fingers crossed that these are the designs that we will be running with (if only for the cost factor involved - wow! I could have nearly bought a holiday home). We are also deciding over which of the current Portiere Pro gloves range to retain, which to update and which to pie altogether. We're busily analysing the sales records to pin-point the trends in our market, and also keeping an eye to the future to co-operate with the inclusion of the new range so that, once again, we really can offer a glove for every goalkeeper at every level.

Additions to our website this last week has been the inclusion of a newsletter sign up, we will be sending regular updates to all goalkeepers that sign up for the free newsletter as we aim to keep you updated with the happenings at WarbyGK. As well as the newsletter we have updated the look of our goalkeepers page, I think it's important to not stay still and stagnate and more fresh content rewards the visitors to WarbyGK, much in the same way that we lead the way by including a Blog, Regular Twitter Updates, Videos on YouTube, Exclusive Facebook Pre Launch Offers and even by giving you 360 degree views of our goalkeeper gloves - remember where you saw these first and remember who really is blazing the trail for others to follow.

Thursday, 11 February 2010

Did the gloves look good on TV?

Today's blog absolutely has to pay tribute to Adam Collin who dragged his Carlisle United team to Wembley by saving two penalties against Leeds United on Tuesday night in the Johnstones Paint Trophy Semi-Final, which went to a nail biting penalty shoot out - and what an absolute stormer of a save the first one was, clawing it out of the bottom corner!! We have been really proud of Adams development this year and the way in which he's taken his chances as he started off the season as number two to ex-Chelsea player Lenny Pidgeley. There are an awful lot of managers currently sitting up and taking notice of him now, and even more will have jumped onto the bandwagon after these heroics so we would like to publically pat the big man squarely on the back!

"Hope the gloves looked good on TV last night?!!!" text Adam on Wednesday morning. Looked good? Too right they looked good, in fact they looked fantastic!! These prototype goalie gloves were only delivered to Brunton Park at the end of last week and had already seen action against Huddersfield when they worked their magic again versus Leeds, so I can guess that they'll be favourable comments from Adam about the performance of the Giga Grip! A quick search on Facebook reveals a couple of groups to support him, and one that I had to join just because of one of the pictures involved - Adam Collin for BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2010. The picture made childish little me smile so 'click' I joined! Couple the buzz from this game and seeing the 2010 samples on the big screen with the fact that my all black Puma Kings should be here today then I'm truly having a great week!

08 February 2010

I stumbled into the office one morning last week and as it's half six in the morning it's naturally still dark so I flick the lights on. PING! Bulbs blown, and as happens with our electrical circuit this also trips the fuse box too. All I've got on me is my Mobile which I try to use as a torch while I fumble my way into the Store Room to find the Fuse board to flip the switch back on as at least we'll then have some light in the office. Why is nothing ever simple, so why when one bulb blows does it have to trip the fuse? Stupid idea, grrr!!

It seems that the world is full of stupid ideas, like the Smoke Alarm batteries that only go flat at two o clock in the morning or the cardboard cartons of milk that chug rather than pour the milk out, leaping over the mug in the process and all over the side! Translate this to our world, goalkeeper gloves, and we as designers have to look at exactly what a goalkeeper needs as opposed to what we want them to need. There really is a big difference between these two factors and many of the ideas that we have implemented into our new range samples are perhaps unnecessary, but the big issue is striving to develop that magic little idea that will improve on your current offerings. If you sit still and stagnate you deserve to be shot in our opinion so rather than introducing gimmicks into our designs we have focussed on the most important aspect of a goalkeeping glove.......grip.

As mentioned in previous blogs, my business partner has been a busy little bee and came back from his trip with a selection of latex that has been specifically developed for WarbyGK, so now all we have to do is decide on the ones that are good enough to step the brand up a level, and decide on which of our current offerings to keep. And I bet that you thought that it was just draw a glove on a bit of paper and away you go. There is far far more to it than that especially if we want to keep ahead of the chasing pack, so much so that we have spent considerable financial chunks on this process of developing exclusive latex, designing, testing and not forgetting those damn LIGHT BULBS!!!

Thursday, 04 February 2010

What, more gloves?

Tuesday afternoon and a UPS van pulls up outside the office windows, everyone's heads look up from their desks in anticipation of where the driver is going....he's entered our building, looking good - RING RING "Hiya, we've a delivery for you" shrills the receptionist in her ever excitable voice, well I've never seen my business partner move so fast in all his life! I'm sure his office chair was still spinning when he came back into the office with the first of the packages!! Yes we are childish, but this helps the banter in the office, we always have little side challenges going on as no one likes to lose - especially me!

We have been contacted by another factory who want to jump on the WarbyGK goalkeeper gloves bandwagon, so we naturally requested some samples and they turned them around in less than 14 days which is highly impressive. We always allow each potential supplier flexibility with the designs and materials as we expect them to use their very best, they are trying to impress us after all and what is equally pleasing is when we see what has been created on Photoshop now look even better fleshed out. There has been one design in particular which has absolutely divided the office (I say divided as I'm the only one that doesn't like it and I hate being outnumbered, so divided it is for the time being!). This glove has been passed around and fingered for all it's worth and judging by the consensus, I think we have a potential winner! I have sent some samples out to Adam Collin at Carlisle United and also Nick Liversedge at Darlington so you may see these unique pairs crop up on the BBC or in your Sunday papers, but please remember than nothing is definite at this stage so don't try to get one up on your mate by proclaiming you know the new designs, only because we don't yet! We are aiming for a launch in time for the 2010/2011 football season (UK) and I sense that there are going to be one or two more arguments in this very office between now and then!

01 February 2010

Wow, it's already February, where is the time going? Remember when you were at school and the old "Pinch, Punch, First Day of the Month" routine? Our teachers hated it, especially after you'd just cracked them one!! Ha Ha only joking, we only ever got as far as the "pinch" bit............took them ages to find their cars again!

I have list of jobs to plough through this week, today's tasks are taking up 3 sides of A4 paper already so it looks like I could be in for a long day. I was only thinking this morning whilst walking the dogs down the river as usual (beautiful frosty morning, my favourite type as my eldest dog is addicted to standing on the puddles waiting for the ice to crack underneath him and then leaping out the icy water like the puppy he no longer is!), that when I was freelance goalkeeper coaching I could pick and chose the hours I worked and often crammed all my sessions into 3 days (12 hour days minimum) so that I could spend 4 days uninterrupted with the family. Now though, since this damned knee operation (which seems to be getting worse by the way!) I am in the office every day and it's got to the stage where the kids are visiting ME! I've really got to get on top of that as Daddy should be able to go home at normal times, but this goalkeeper gloves business is all consuming and looking at these lists of jobs, not just on my desk but the other desks too, makes me think we need to address this issue. Still as long as there's a kettle, milk and coffee there's always hope!

Keeping me going is the premise of some new sample goalkeeper gloves arriving this week, we've already earmarked the goalkeepers we want to trial them and we are really excited about seeing them in the flesh as opposed to seeing them in Photoshop! We won't stop there though as we are awaiting some fresh designs to be emailed through from an individual with great experience in this field so I can honestly say that as yet, nothing is set in stone with regards to the designs. We have the features we want across the range already planned out and now it's a case of marrying up the designs to these features......whoever thinks this is easy should spend a day in our argumentative office!