Former Falkirk goalkeeper Olejnik quits football for new career

The Austrian, signed on a free from Aston Villa, is pursuing a career away from the game in technology.

While at Falkirk Olejnik was known to be handy with gadgets and regularly fixed team-mates, and staff members’, phones or helped computing issues. It is this interest that he has decided to take forward after considering his football future duing the three month enforced shutdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Olejnik won the 2010-11 Falkirk Herald starshot during Falkirk’s first season in the First Division following relegation from the SPL.

He told followers on Twitter: “The last three months have given me the opportunity to sit down and really consider my future.

“I came off social media channels and decided to evaluate what was important to me and what I want to do in life after ‘the beautiful game’.

“Football has been an amazing experience and I’ve experienced some major highs such as playing (and winning) at Wembley, as well as some major roles such as rupturing my ACL.

“I don’t think anyone ever wants to stop doing something they enjoy, but I’ve had to think more long term and what’s best for me.

“With everything going on in the world I felt it was as good a time as any to change careers and pursue another passion, technology.

“Anyone who knows m knows how much I love tech, anything from fixing phone screens to building MERN stack apps, so I’m looking forward to seeing where this avenue takes me.

“All that’s left is for me to say thank you to all my coaches, physios, admin staff, teammates and the fans, without whom I wouldn’t have had the experiences I’ve had.

“Last but not least I have to thank my agent for always being two steps ahead at all times, and always looking out for my best interest.”

After Falkirk, where Bobby trained alongside Tim Krul, Jamie Barclay and Michael Andrews under keeper coach Jim Preston, Olejnik moved to Torquay before spells with Peterborough, Exter and latterly Mansfield Town where he played alongside former Bairn Rhys Bennett.

Message from the editor

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the highest standards in the world. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers and consequently the advertising that we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you