Notts County goalkeeper Ross Fitzsimons has joined National League rivals Chesterfield on loan until the end of the season.
As part of the deal, Notts have insisted on an immediate recall clause in case of a goalkeeping emergency, while Fitzsimons will not be eligible for the match between the two clubs at Meadow Lane on February 1.
The 25-year-old arrived at Notts in July 2017, having enjoyed spells with Bolton Wanderers, Bishop’s Stortford, Braintree Town and Chelmsford City, making his debut in a 3–3 draw at Scunthorpe United in the first round of the EFL Cup, County losing the penalty shoot-out 6–5.
After sharing goalkeeping duties with Adam Collin during his opening season with the club, Fitzsimons established himself as number one for the first half of the 2018-19 season.
However, following Sam Slocombe's arrival in the summer, Fitzsimons' opportunities have been limited under manager Neal Ardley, who at times has been critical of the Crystal Palace academy graduate.
Ardley's dissatisfaction with his back-up keeper surfaced when he preferred goalkeeping coach Jake Kean to Fitzsimons on the bench for an FA Trophy tie at Chesterfield in December, claiming Fitzsimons was neither "physically nor mentally" ready to step in.
That seemed to suggest Fitzsimons' Meadow Lane career was at an end, only for him to be recalled for his first and only National League start of the season the following week, a 4-2 win at Halifax Town, with Slocombe sidelined by a minor injury.
Slocombe returned for the following National League matches and Fitzsimons was not given another outing until last weekend's 2-1 Trophy win over Dagenham, when he performed well, making one superb save in the run-up to the Daggers' goal.
However, it was not enough to convince Ardley he is essential to his plans and Fitzsimons will see out the remainder of the season with the Spireites.
Fitzsimons turned in many good displays for County but unfortunately he will probably most be remembered for his dramatic sending off against Crawley at Meadow Lane in January 2019.
In added time and with honours even at 1-1, Fitzsimons gathered a cross safely, only to then kick out at an opponent, earning a red card and conceding a penalty, which Crawley converted to secure all three points.
Given the security of the recall clause, it is unlikely Ardley will move to replace Fitzsimons as, with only five substitutes allowed on the bench in the National League, it has been Notts' policy to go without a replacement keeper on match days, the manager arguing that statistics show it is a risk worth taking.
With young goalkeeper Max Culverwell out on loan, that leaves only Kean available to step in should Slocombe be injured or suspended during the remainder of the campaign.
On his new challenge, Fitzsimons said: “I want to play as many games as I can but I’ve got to wait for my chance.
“Hopefully, when I get it I can take it with both hands and help us as much as I can.”
