12. Nick Culkin

Nick Culkin signed for QPR in the summer of 2002. With Chris Day out injured we only had Fraser Digby as a recognised goalkeeper at the club after Nikki Bull was given a free transfer. Ian Holloway has been looking for a new keeper since the end of the season and his number one target has always been Nick Culkin.

The Manchester United keeper was released attracted interest from several clubs. Culkin though is familiar with Ian Holloway after spending a season on loan at Bristol Rovers. He has also been on loan at Hull and Livingston but is now ready for regular first team football and that will be on offer with QPR next season.

Culkin made his debut against Chesterfield. He is a good shot stopper but does have trouble commanding his own area and after picking up an injury in training he was then on the sidelines until December when Simon Royce returned to Leicester.

His return was not a good one as he looked low on confidence but he gradually got better as the defence tightened up and he kept three clean sheets in a row during January. Injury hit him again in March and he became the number two keeper behind Chris Day.

Culkin's has a lot of potential but needs to learn how to dominate his own penalty area the way Chris Day does if he is going to force his way back into the team. He got another chance in the 2003/04 season when Chris Day lost a bit of form but he picked up another injury and found himself third choice behind Lee Camp and Chris Day.

Sadly Nick has not recovered from his knee injury and has been forced to retire from football aged 26. Obviously I wish Nick all the best in whatever he chooses to do with the rest of his life.

Nick Culkin Image Gallery