METICULOUS recruitment from goalkeeper-coach Steve Hale paved the way for Harry Pickering to become Forest Green’s number three keeper.

Pickering, 19, spent a month under the goalkeeping spotlight along with four other hopefuls. He did enough to pass his auditions and has now earned his place behind Sam Russell and Brad Collins - penning a one-year deal after leaving Port Vale.

“I had sixteen possibles down to which I brought five in on trial,” revealed coach Hale. “I then reduced that to three after the first week, then in my head got it down to two before choosing Harry, who stood out as he trains hard, listens well and has a lot of potential to develop.”

Pickering graduated from the Vale academy and signed a one-year professional deal last summer, spending time on loan at Kidsgrove Athletic in the Evo-Stik Division One last season.

On signing the deal, Pickering said: “I’m excited to be here – there’s good coaches and good players so I’m looking forward to getting started.

“I know I’ve got a lot to learn this year and I’ve got all the tools here to do that - working with the staff, Brad and Sam should help to make me a better player by the end of the season.”