Jan Budtz

Jan Budtz (born 20 April 1979 in Hillerød) is a Denmark Association football, who plays as a Goalkeeper (association football) for England club Hartlepool United F.C.. He is the twin brother of fellow football player Ole Budtz.

Biography

Budtz became an instant hero in his first game for Doncaster Rovers F.C. when he replaced the injured Andy Warrington during a Football League Cup tie against Manchester City F.C. in September 2005. He saved two of the three taken by the Premier League side during the shootout to send Doncaster into the next round (the first penalty, by Darius Vassell, hit the crossbar). His name was subsequently plastered all over local and national newspapers the following day and he also made several appearances on local TV news channels.

Following his initial day of glory, he largely failed to progress though. Although he enjoyed a good run in the first team in the 2005-06 in English football, he was increasingly sidelined in Spring 2006. Budtz fractured a bone in his hand in January 2006, and Doncaster Rovers quickly signed replacement Alan Blayney.

By the beginning of the 2006-07 in English football, he was relegated to third choice behind Ben Smith (goalkeeper) and Blayney. Budtz signed an emergency loan (football) with Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. of the Football League Championship. He eventually signed a six-week extension with Wolves, and made his debut on 17 March as a half-time substitute in a 2-2 draw at .
He was eventually recalled by his parent club on 24 April, following their own on-loan goalkeeper, Neil Sullivan, returning to Leeds United A.F.C..

Budtz was signed by fellow Football League One side Hartlepool United F.C. on 29 June 2007.
He was their first-choice goalkeeper throughout the first half of the season, but lost his place for the final months after some poor performances.