PROFILES
(select from links below)
Local keepers
- 'locals' are welcome to send any pix to Dave Curley, please send via email: keepercurley@westnet.com.auFemale Keepers
'A' League keepers
EPL
La Liga
Serie 'A'
Old school keepers of the past
Female keepers
Erin Herd
"Dave's 2 bob's worth" on Erin Herd
Firstly I plead guilty for bias in my 2 bob's worth. I first met Erin Herd in January of 2002 at which time she was pursuing specialist keeper coaching after making the decision to play keeper permanantly (she is also a talented outfield player and has played outfield at National Championships). I had not long moved to the area so Erin was my first 'student' in my North Coast life. I worked regularly with Erin during season and intermittently in off season from 2002 until she left for the USA in 2005 to take up a 'soccer' scholarship with the University of Central Connecticut Blue Devils.
During this time she played for Northern NSW in the Women's National League (now defunct) represented Northern NSW at 2 national Championships represented NSW All Schools at National titles, was selected in the Australia All Girls team and was very unlucky not to travel to the Women's Youth World Cup with the Young Matilda's in Thaialnd in 2005 (I think). Erin was the shadow keeper for the squad.
Erin is a remarkable young woman and a great keeper as you will see from the impression she has made on the US College scene as you read on. Erin is a fine example of a female keeper who understands that she can do whatever a male keeper can do. She played a full season with the Coffs Lions reserve grade team while still at High School. Erin trained very hard with me and always pushed herself to the next level. She also had a positive influence on other keepers around her. The girls saw her as a role model while the boys dare not be shown up by her (they were on regular occasions of course).
Women's football is probably at it's peak in the USA. So for Erin to be involved at the College level is the equivalent of a young male player making his trade in Europe. Erin's achievements already are staggering. Yes I am biased but in my view Erin Herd is a legend.
Blue Devil Student: Erin Herd
- extract from 'The Courier' (Central Connecticut State University) by Jason Stronz
Erin Herd arrived on CCSU's campus two summers ago, joining the then three-time Northeast Conference women's soccer team. Despite playing in just four contests last season, the goalkeeper credits the program for her development as a student-athlete. A member of the U-20 Australian National Team, Herd views her time stateside as an adventure with great potential for learning. She has taken great strides both in and out of the classroom to utilize the potential Central has offered.
Entering her freshman year, Herd sometimes felt like a complete stranger. "I left everything familiar to me and moved somewhere where all I knew was the language, and even that sometimes seemed foreign," she said.
As a native of a small surfing town in Australia, Herd was not used to the blustery winters and busy lifestyle. She misses the surfing "like nothing else," but the cold, snowy winters have grown on her. "One thing I was sure of about moving half way across the world was that if I was going to have to travel for 27 hours to get here, I wanted it to be a whole lot different to where I had come from," Herd commented. "And that's what I got."
Herd is happy, and she will be the first to note she has oddly never once been nervous since leaving home. "I think entering your freshman season is always a rough experience, but looking back now on the year I wouldn't trade it for anything," she commented. "Yeah, there are ups (and definitely downs) to being a complete stranger in a new country. That was half the fun, though."
On the pitch, Herd entered the 2006 season as the Blue Devils' starting goalkeeper. The Coffs Harbour native played in eight games before being sidelined due to injury. She posted three shutouts, and her save percentage still ranks first in the conference.
Herd credits her growth to Head Women's Soccer Coach Mick D'Arcy and his assistants, Jen Tietjen Prozzo and Shawn Kelly (her goalkeeping coach). She has recognized how much they have provided her toward becoming a better goalkeeper. And the development has been noticed back at home, as well.
Before Herd left Australia, she was in the pool for the U-20 National Team and went to camp. Leaving meant jeopardizing her spot on the squad, but she packed up anyway. "I felt it was going to make me a much better goalkeeper," Herd said. And she was right. When she went home last summer, she was called back into training with the team. And her improvement while at Central was noted by her national coach. "The fact that I had spent a year here built my confidence to play at the national level. The Australian coach was happy with my improvement," she said. "He commented that it was unfortunate I hadn't been there prior to camp beginning to earn a more permanent spot. But I still don't believe I would have improved if I had been at home."
In the classroom, Herd has worked with Dr. Thomas R. King and Dr. Cheryl Watson, in the Biomolecular Sciences Department, to create a biomedical engineering program. Herd was studying exercise science during her freshman year because there were no biomechanics or kinesiology programs available. She wanted to work in engineering, with prosthetics in particular, so she inquired about constructing a special studies major. Her academic advisor, Kevin Oliva, directed her to Dr. King, who offered Dr. Watson as a suitable advisor. After researching the major, using other school's programs as points of reference, Herd is now looking to begin the program, which was approved last month by the Special Studies Committee.
"It's definitely going to be a challenge, but I am excited about it because I can see where it will take me," she commented. "Being heavily involved in athletics my whole life, I am very interested in how the body works. I would eventually like to work with paralympic athletes."
Her drive has been noted by both King and Watson.
"Erin is a bright and ambitious student," King said. "She has worked with Dr. Cheryl Watson over the last year to develop a special studies major program in biomedical engineering that involves a lot of high-end math, engineering, chemistry, and physics, in addition to biomolecular sciences."
According to King, the 56-credit major has been reviewed by both the University of New South Wales and the University of Queensland, both places Herd could consider doing graduate studies, and they agree that the course sequence will prepare her for entry into the field.
"When a student has a particular interest, one that is well-defined in her mind, the special studies major works best," Watson said. "Erin's initiative has helped in tailoring the program. She is taking care of her own business, and Dr. King and I are combining that with our expertise to create the major."
And, again, Herd shows no signs of worry.
"She is very straight forward and well-organized," Watson said. "It is something you don't typically see from a student her age. She doesn't seem worried by any of the process. In fact, I'm even trying to adopt her attitude."
Herd growing up with Devils
By: Matt Straub, Assistant Sports Editor - The New Britain Herald, 09/01/2006
The tradition of quality goalkeepers at Central Connecticut is growing steadily. The pressure that comes with the responsibility of roaming the net for the Blue Devils grows just as quickly.
Fortunately for the Blue Devils, Erin Herd has grown up at the same rate. Herd came to Connecticut last year from Australia as a backup goalkeeper looking to find her way. In some regards she was like any college freshman, but Herd had the added burden of learning a new country with a new group of people.
After a year that featured mixed results in a backup role, Herd went home and spent her summer developing as a person and as a player.
The grown-up version of Herd that arrived at CCSU this fall is a confident, more skilled goalkeeper ready to take on all the intangibles that come with her new role as CCSU starter.
"I think when I came here I felt like I had to prove myself," Herd said while starring in CCSU's 2-1 loss to nationally-ranked Boston College. "Every time you step onto the park you feel like you have to prove yourself to the girls and to the coaches. Especially trying to earn a starting spot."
This year, with Ashley Ferra having graduated, Herd came to New Britain the favorite to become the starting goalie. The change in expectation helped change her outlook for her sophomore year.
"I think this year it was just confidence," she said. "I went home during the summer and worked a lot on my game, but the biggest thing is confidence. I came in here and said 'this is my spot and I'm not letting anyone take it.' It's been a big confidence thing coming out here knowing you're the number one."
Another element that has required Herd to raise her confidence level is the loss of Central's vaunted defensive corps from last season. The group was the catalyst for countless 1-0 CCSU wins, but all but one from that back line have graduated.
Without the cushion of an experienced group in front of her, Herd was forced to bear down immediately.
"I like being an encouraging goalkeeper. It gives me a lot of confidence when they do well that I can do well," she said. "We're in the same boat. They're not feeling any pressure with me being a senior. We've still got room for improvement, but I think (Sunday's game with B.C.) was a good show)."
With their newfound quarterback taking charge, the Blue Devils' defenders may develop quickly as well.
"(Herd)'s playing with confidence right now. She's becoming a leader out there," CCSU coach Mick D'Arcy said. "We're real happy with the way she's playing."
If Herd and her teammates continue to put on good shows, the Blue Devils might just be able to deal with the ravages of graduation the way they have for the last few seasons.
After all, having won four straight NEC championships is another rather significant tradition to uphold.
Melissa Barbieri
Barbieri makes history mixing it in the FOXTEL Cup
Saturday 3 March 2007
Qantas Matilda Melissa Barbieri made Victorian football history Friday night by becoming the first female to participate in a male football competition. Barbieri took the field for Richmond Under 21's team in Round 1 of the Foxtel Cup against the Victorian Institute of Sport.
The 'keeper admitted to some nerves early on, but she said she grew more comfortable as they game went on. "I have played in massive games for Australia but tonight there was a different kind of nerves and it took a while to settle down. You never like conceding goals but it was a different experience for me and hopefully I'll have the chance to get better."
Barbieri took the field tonight without the advantage of training with the Richmond side, making communication with her defenders a challenge. "Its not ideal but we have past the first hurdle and we can only go forward from here."
FFV officials paved the way for Barbieri to play on Friday afternoon, recognising it was in the game’s best interest to allow Barbieri to further her career. FFV Chief Executive Officer George Angelopoulos said Melissa is an outstanding goal-keeper who has been performing at the highest level for the Qantas Matildas.
"A move into the men's competition gives her a chance to further enhance her skills and provide her a great challenge as she prepares for the women's World Cup in China this year," he said.
Barbieri's opposition tonight was ironically be the VIS, where she is a current scholarship recipient. VIS Head Coach Ian Greener praises her bold move into the Foxtel Cup. "It's fantastic for her development," says Greener. "She's in the pathway system and one day she could be playing in the FOXTEL Cup seniors. This will hopefully help her maintain her position in the Matildas and an ideal opportunity to keep her at the highest level."
"Dave's 2 bob's worth" on Melissa Barbieri
Question's are always asked of a keeper less than 6 foot tall be they a man or a woman. The first goal the Matilda's conceded against Brazil in the Quarter Final of the 2007 World Cup flew directly over Barbieri's head onto the underside of the crossbar and into the goal, she was beaten by high shots from a distance a few more times. We must remember these shots were flying and dipping and Melissa made a lot of saves.
She has an amazing energy with her teammates. Technically I think she is brilliant, I can't pick a fault. For her to have successfully invaded the men's game is a major credit to her. That alone is enough for her name to remain in the history books. She is an inspiration to all young girlkeepers.
Local keepers
- info to come
'A' League keepers
Ante Covic
"Dave's 2 bob's worth" on Ante Covic
Ante was the number 3 keeper for the Socceroos at the 2006 world cup. I recently attended a Newcastle Jets training session and was fortunate enough to watch Ante train close up. His agility and speed are amazing.
It is evident watching a keeper of his class train that years of effort have been put in to reach the professional level. I had a good chat to him after the session, he is a true gentleman, very down to earth and a credit to the goalkeeping fraternity.
Player Profile:
Full name: Ante Covic
Date of birth: June 13, 1975 (age 32)
Place of birth: Sydney, Australia
Height: 1.92 m (6 ft 31/2 in)
Playing position: Goalkeeper
Club information:
Current club: Newcastle Jets
Youth clubs: Hurstville ZSC
1996-1997: APIA
1997-1999: Marconi Stallions
1999-2001: PAOK Salonika
2001: NK Dinamo Zagreb
2002-2006: Hammarby
2007-present: Newcastle Jets
National team: Australia (1)
Ante Covic: (born June 13, 1975) is an Australian football (soccer) player of Croatian descent. He is a goalkeeper who currently plays for Newcastle United Jets in the Australian A-League. He formerly played for Hammarby in Sweden, as well as Marconi Stallions and Sydney Olympic in Australia's old National Soccer League, PAOK Salonika and AO Kavala in Greece and Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia.
He was part of the Australian squad for the 2006 World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and was Australia's third choice goalkeeper behind Mark Schwarzer and Zeljko Kalac for the 2006 World Cup in Germany. He made his debut for Australia against Bahrain on February 22, 2006 in an Asian Cup qualifier and, to date, this is his sole international cap.
Covic made his A-League debut in a 3-2 loss to Adelaide United in December 2006 at Hindmarsh Stadium. His performances since his return to the A-League have prompted many to question the wisdom of spending a large proportion of the team budget on a goalkeeper. Indeed, his lack of form since his return to Australia have seen him slip down the national team pecking order behind Adam Federici, Brad Jones, Michael Petkovic and Danny Vukovic at a time when he would have hoped to have established himself as a real successor to Mark Schwarzer after Zeljko Kalac's international retirement.
After his bad start, however, Covic has begun to find his form of old, keeping 4 clean sheets in his last 7 Hyundai A-League games, and with his giant figure standing in front of the Jets goal they are expected to be a very tough defensive outfit this new A-League season.
EPL
Jens Lehmann
"Dave's 2 bob's worth" on Jens Lehmann
My personal opinion of Jens Lehmann is that he is a goose. Sure he is a quality goalkeeper, his record attests to that. What I don't like about the Arsenal keeper (other than that he plays for Arsenal) is that he seems to be constantly whingeing and complaining. I do not like keepers that make excuses for their mistakes and do not take responsibility for their own game.
One of my favourite sayings is ,"There are no excuses, only challenges". I wish big Jens would rise to the challenge, stop complaining and get on with the game.
PS - yes I am a Spurs supporter but this does not tarnish my view on Jens just because he plays for Arsenal (Spurs north London rivals)
Player Profile:
Full name: Jens Lehmann
Date of birth: November 10, 1969 (age 37)
Place of birth: Essen, West Germany
Height: 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Playing position: Goalkeeper
Club information
Current club: Arsenal
Senior clubs:
1989-1998: Schalke 04
1998-1999: A.C. Milan
1999-2003: Borussia Dortmund
2003-: Arsenal
National team: 1998-: Germany (47)
Jens Lehmann: (born November 10, 1969 in Essen) is a German football goalkeeper who currently plays for Arsenal and for the German national team. He was voted Best European Goalkeeper twice in his career, and he has been selected for three World Cup squads.
Club career
Schalke 04
Lehmann started his career in 1989 with Schalke 04, playing for them for nearly a decade. His first years were rocky, notably a 45-minute stint against Bayer Leverkusen in 1993 in which he conceded three goals and was subbed after 45 minutes, causing him to flee the stadium alone by tram rather than taking the team bus, but gradually established himself as a strong keeper lauded for his ability to intercept crosses.
He scored his first league goal on 12 March 1995 in a 6-2 victory over TSV 1860 Munchen; in the 84th minute, he scored Schalke's 6th goal from the penalty spot. His second goal was scored on 19 December 1997, a last-minute equaliser against Borussia Dortmund, Schalke's rivals and the club he would join just fourteen months later.
Lehmann became the Ruhr Area club's hero in their 1997 UEFA Cup final victory over Internazionale, after playing a strong season and saving an Ivan Zamorano penalty in a penalty shootout.
A.C. Milan
He left Schalke for A.C. Milan in 1998, but did not play well and was dropped after just five matches.
Borussia Dortmund
He returned to Germany to play for Borussia Dortmund, winning the Bundesliga in 2001-2002. A fiery personality with a poor disciplinary record, he holds the Bundesliga record for the number of sendings-off for a goalkeeper (five).
Arsenal
Lehmann joined Arsenal on July 25, 2003 as a replacement for David Seaman, and played every match as Arsenal went unbeaten for the entire 2003-04 FA Premier League campaign, becoming the first English club to accomplish this feat since the 1880s. However, Lehmann's style of play, often coming out of his goal to intercept passes occasionally led to mistakes, such as in the title-winning match at local rivals Tottenham Hotspur when Lehmann pushed Tottenham striker Robbie Keane as the pair waited for a Tottenham corner, and made mistakes that led to both goals in Arsenal's Champions League defeat at home to Chelsea the same season.
He helped Arsenal to keep its national record of longest unbeaten league run (49 league matches unbeaten) when he stopped a penalty kick against Everton in the last minutes of the match on January 7, 2004. The match ended 1-1 and Arsenal continued unbeaten until October 24, 2004 when they lost 2-0 to Manchester United.
By the middle of the 2004-05 season, Lehmann was no longer automatic first-choice, with Spaniard Manuel Almunia starting in several matches instead. However, Almunia made a series of mistakes himself, thus allowing Lehmann to regain his position. At the end of that season, as speculation again began to mount that he would be replaced over the summer, Lehmann cemented his position in the Arsenal goal with a man-of-the-match performance against Manchester United in the 2005 FA Cup final. He made several important saves and demonstrated great positional sense to keep the score 0-0 after extra time, and then crucially saved Paul Scholes' shot in the penalty shootout, which Arsenal won 5-4.
Lehmann had an outstanding 2005-06 season with Arsenal, making his 100th Premier League appearance for the club in their game against West Bromwich Albion on April 15, 2006. He was a key factor in his side's first-ever accession to the Champions League final; during their run Arsenal broke the record for the most consecutive clean sheets in the Champions League with ten, breaking the record of seven that Milan had set just one year before. That run formed the bulk of an 853-minute spell without conceding a goal, overtaking the CL record for an individual goalkeeper set by Edwin van der Sar.
Bayern Munich's Hasan Salihamidzic had been the last to net against Lehmann, in the 64th minute of a quarter-final first leg match on March 22, 2005; Lehmann kept a clean sheet in the second leg, and then a further seven during Arsenal's run in 2005-06 (Almunia played in the other three matches); the final clean sheet was earned in the semi-finals against Villarreal, after Lehmann saved an 89th minute Juan Roman Riquelme penalty. Lehmann maintained his shutout run despite an ignominious end to his 2006 UEFA Champions League Final against FC Barcelona; with the score still at 0-0 he was sent off in the 18th minute for a professional foul after bringing down Samuel Eto'o, making him the first player and goalkeeper to ever be sent off in a Champions League final, but it did not stop him from being named the Champions League Goalkeeper of the Year for the 2005-06 season after going more than 500 minutes without conceding a goal.
His remarkable run was finally ended on September 13, 2006 by Hamburger SV's Boubacar Sanogo, who scored a consolation goal in the 89th minute of Arsenal's first group stage match of the 2006-07 Champions League season.
Lehmann's contract at Arsenal was due to expire in summer 2007 and during the 2006-07 season there was much speculation he would leave the club on a Bosman transfer. However it was reported on April 26, 2007 that he had signed a year's extension on his contract, tying him to the club until 2008.
In the first league game of the 2007-08 season, Lehmann made a horrendous error after just 52 seconds, allowing David Healy to score for Fulham. However, Lehmann's blushes were spared late in the game as Arsenal won 2-1; in his second league match against Blackburn Rovers he fumbled a David Dunn shot to allow Blackburn to equalise, in a game that finished 1-1. On August 24, the BBC reported that he returned to Germany to treat an Achilles tendon injury which he picked up during international duty against England, meaning Manuel Almunia took his place for Arsenal's third match.
International career:
Lehmann made his debut for the national team against Oman in February 1998 and has since earned 39 (as of 16 August 2006) caps for his country, most of which were friendlies. He has a well-publicised rivalry with Bayern Munich goalkeeper Oliver Kahn, whose presence has long prevented Lehmann from becoming the number one goalkeeper of the German national team. On April 7, 2006, however, German national coach Jürgen Klinsmann announced that Lehmann would be Germany's first-choice goalkeeper for the upcoming World Cup.
Lehmann conceded two goals in Germany's opening match, both scored by Costa Rica's Paulo Wanchope although Germany won the match 4-2. Lehmann played strongly in the next three games, conceding no goals and allowing Germany to sweep their group 3-0-0 and defeat Sweden convincingly in the Round of 16. Lehmann's shutout streak was broken by Argentina in the quarterfinals, but his team found the equalizer late in the game and Lehmann stopped two shots in the penalty shootout.
Germany's opponent in the semifinals was Italy. The Italians had the better chances to score but Lehmann made several spectacular saves, including one in extra time where he dove out of goal to intercept an Italian player who had broken loose from the defence, punching the ball clear with his fist and temporarily knocking out the Italian in the process. He allowed two goals within a minute of each other with only a few seconds remaining in overtime. However neither of these goals could be blamed on Lehmann, but were caused by Germany's defence playing high up the pitch. These goals put Italy into the World Cup final. The retiring Oliver Kahn was given the honour of starting in the third place match, with which Lehmann was content.
The highlight of Lehmann's international career came in the 2006 World Cup quarterfinal match (30 June 2006, Olympiastadion, Berlin) against Argentina. The game remained tied 1-1 after 90 minutes and extra time. The game came down to penalty kicks and Lehmann carried his team through. He made two critical saves of Argentinian penalty kicks, one from Roberto Ayala and another from Esteban Cambiasso, and came close to saving a third. Meanwhile, the Germans made all of the necessary goals to win the penalty kicks 4-2.
Lehmann's prowess in the shootout was aided by notes given to him before the kicks - an idea from Germany's chief scout, Swiss-born Urs Siegenthaler - with Lehmann keeping the paper in his right sock. Before the last shot from Cambiasso, Lehmann looked at the paper for a long time even though Cambiasso's name was not even on it. The story around the paper features in the film "Deutschland. Ein Sommermärchen". Lehmann was considered a hero by the German public after these saves, and he received praise even from long-time rival Oliver Kahn.
In August 2006 Lehmann revealed that during the World Cup he was suffering with a foot injury that he claims was a result of wearing different boots. The German Football Association ordered their players to wear only those manufactured by principal sponsor Adidas as opposed to Lehmann's sponsor Nike. (Defender Christian Wörns had been dropped from the national team in 2005 after refusing to train in Adidas boots.) This has now been overturned thanks to Lehmann and several other players protesting about the decision and the players are now free to wear boots made by other companies.
In August 2006, Lehmann suggested that he may retire from league and international football after playing for Germany in Euro 2008. However, he subsequently stated in January 2007 that he has not made any decision on retirement.
Honours:
With Schalke
UEFA Cup: 1996/97
With Milan
Serie A: 1999
With Borussia Dortmund
Bundesliga: 2002
With Arsenal
Premier League: 2003/04
FA Cup: 2005
Community Shield: 2004
UEFA Champions League: runners-up 2005/06
Amsterdam Tournament: 2007
Emirates Cup: 2007
International
World Cup runner-up: 2002
World Cup Bronze medallist: 2006
FIFA Confederations Cup Bronze medallist: 2005
Indvidual
Best European Goalkeeper: 1997, 2006
UEFA Club Football Awards: Best Goalkeeper 2005-2006
IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper: 2nd Place (2006)
FIFA World Cup awards: All-Star Team 2006
La Liga
Iker Casillas
"Dave's 2 bob's worth" on Iker Casillas
Iker Casillas came onto the scene as a very young goalkeeper. It is widely recognised that goalkeepers hit their peak after 30 yers of age. Casillas is still only 26.
He is a veteran of two world cups, A UEFA Champions League Champions medal holder and has several la Liga championship medals already. See profile for more info. Not tall for a keeper but his speed, agility and vertical leap more than make up for what he lacks in height.
Player Profile:
Name: Iker
Surname: Casillas
Date of Birth: 20 May 1981
Birth Place: Madrid
Height: 184 cm
Weight: 80 kg
Career:
Position: Goalkeeper
Clubs: Real Madrid (since 1999)
International appearances: 37
International debut: 03/06/2000, Sweden-Spain (1-1)
Last international appearance: 05/06/2004, Spain-Andorra (4-0)
World Cup: Appearances: 1 (2002), 5 matches, Quarter-finals (2002)
European C'ships: Appearances: 1 (2000), did not play any matches, Quarter-finals (2000)
European Champions League: Winner (2000, 2002)
Intercontinental Cup: Winner (2002)
European Supercup: Winner (2002)
Spanish Championship: Winner (2001, 2003)
Spanish Supercup: Winner (2003)
Under-20 World Championship: Winner (1999)
Under-16 European Championship: Winner (1997)
Other Honours: European Player of the Year (under 20), 2000
Biography:
The revelation
Iker Casillas is the best example of a new breed of Spanish footballer who can offer fine skills, experience at the highest level and - above all - youth. He has so far also had all the luck, taking part in the 2002 World Cup only after becoming a late replacement for regular 'keeper Santiago Canizares.
Casillas is no beginner. He played no less than ten times for Spain before his 20th birthday and his baby face is a familiar sight behind the defence of perhaps the most distinguished club side in the world, Real Madrid.
In Real's 2002 Champions League triumph against Bayer Leverkusen (2-1) he was heroic, coming on as a substitute and keeping the Germans at bay with at least two miraculous saves in the dying minutes of the game.
For Spain's national coach Jose Antonio Camacho to consider leaving veteran Valencia campaigner Canizares on the bench in favour of a teenager is proof that there is something very special behind those boyish looks.
Old head
At first sight Casillas looked like a lad looking for the youth team who had taken the wrong entrance but he soon silenced intrigued fans with a string of exhilarating saves. He handled the daunting experience of playing against the giant clubs of Europe in the Champions League with remarkable composure, helping Real to the title.
The Spaniard is blessed with natural, unerring judgement and innate ball skills which, combined with excellent technique, give his defenders the absolute reassurance they need under pressure. He made several vital reflex saves for Real Madrid during their triumphant 2000 Champions League campaign, especially against Manchester United and Bayern Munich in the later stages.
Coming after his contribution to Spain's success at the under-20 World Championship in Nigeria in 2000, his brilliant performances at club level proved he had what it takes to perform at the very highest level and he was included in Spain's squad for the 2000 European Championship.
Feet on the ground
Barcelona made an offer for him at the start of the 2000-01 season but Casillas preferred to sign a new contract with Real Madrid that will take him up to 2006. He will almost certainly remain Spain's number one following the freak accident that left his rival at national level Canizares cursing his luck. The Valencia number one suffered the heartbreak of missing the tournament when he dropped a bottle of after-shave on his foot. The Madrid man seized his chance, making a string of saves to put Spain into the last eight following a second-round shootout with Ireland.
Serie 'A'
Gianluigi Buffon
"Dave's 2 bob's worth" on Gianluigi Buffon
I really admire Italian goalkeepers. Gigi Buffon is one cool cat. He sometimes wears a pink keepers shirt and still manages to look good. I don't think he's the fanciest of Italian keepers but he is the most effective. His presence in goal is awesome.
I recall in the ill-fated (for Australia that is) 2nd round match against the Socceroos in the 2006 World Cup. Australia went very close to scoring when Viduka cut one back from the bye line just outside the 'six' to a waiting teammate and big Gigi pounced like a panther to claim the ball. As it was not a shot on goal no-one seems to remember it. I think it was the goalkeeping highlight of the world cup as he had to be ready for a shot at the near post yet he was still quick enough to dive 6 metres in the other direction and catch the ball.
His presence adds confidence to Both Juventus and the Italian side. In my opinion he was one of the main reasons Italy are world champions. Forza Gigi.
Player Profile:
Full name: Gianluigi Buffon
Date of birth: January 28, 1978 (age 29)
Place of birth: Carrara, Italy
Height: 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Playing position: Goalkeeper
Club information:
Current club: Juventus
Youth clubs: 1991-1995 Parma (168 appearances)
Senior clubs: 1995-2001 Juventus (190 appearances*)
National team: Italy (78 appearances*)
* as at September 2007
Early life and family
Gianluigi Buffon was born into an athletic family: his mother Maria Stella was a discus thrower, his father Adriano a weightlifter, his two sisters Veronica and Guendalina volleyball players, and his uncle Angelo Masocco a basketball player. He is also a nephew of goalkeeping legend Lorenzo Buffon (a cousin of Gianluigi's grandfather). Buffon is engaged to Czech model Alena Seredova; the couple are expecting a son in February of 2008.
Club career
In 1995, at the age of 17, Buffon was signed by Parma A.C. and made his Serie A debut against A.C. Milan, and won the UEFA Cup in 1999. He transferred from Parma to Juventus F.C. in 2001, for a world-record goalkeeper's fee of around £32 million. In 2003, he received the UEFA Most Valuable Player and Best Goalkeeper awards, and was named by Pelé as one of the top 125 greatest living footballers in March 2004.
During the annual Luigi Berlusconi Trophy match against Milan in August 2005, Buffon collided with Milan midfielder Kaká while chasing a loose ball, and suffered a dislocated shoulder that required surgery. His operation was successful and he returned to the pitch in November, but played only once as another injury returned him to the sidelines until January. He recovered in time to help lead Juventus to their second consecutive Scudetto and his fourth overall with the club.
On May 12, 2006, Buffon, along with former Juventus goalkeeper Antonio Chimenti and many other players, were implicated as participants in illegal betting on Serie A matches while with Parma. The following day, he voluntarily allowed himself to be questioned by Turin magistrates in an attempt to clear his name. While admitting that he did bet on sports (until regulations went into effect in late 2005, banning players from doing so), he vehemently denied placing wagers on Italian football matches. Fears arose that he had jeopardized his chance of playing in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, but he was officially named Italy's starting goalkeeper on May 15. The players were cleared of all charges by the FIGC on June 27, 2007.
Juventus were relegated to Serie B on July 14, 2006, and deducted thirty points as part of the verdict of the Italian match-fixing scandal; the deduction was later reduced to 17 and then to 9 under appeal, but their last two Scudetti were erased from the record books. Rumors about a transfer for Buffon subsequently spread, and many teams became interested in his services. However, no deals ever materialized as Buffon elected to remain with Juventus; his agent said, "(Serie B) is a division he has never won and he wants to try to do this." A.C. Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani stated in April 2007 that Buffon's decision to stay proved a catalyst in re-signing incumbent Dida.
After Juventus won the Cadetti and were promoted back into the top flight, Buffon signed a contract extension that will keep him at the club until 2012.
On September 21, 2007, Football Italia reported that Buffon nearly signed with A.S. Roma in 2001 following his departure from Parma, but team president Franco Sensi instead opted for Atalanta B.C. keeper Ivan Pelizzoli, who averaged less than fifteen appearances in five seasons with Roma. Buffon also claimed that he wouldn't have signed with Roma had he left Juventus in 2006. "That was never a possibility really... I don't think that Roma had the finances to make an investment of such a nature."
International career
Buffon was awarded his first cap for Italy when he was only 19 years old, as an injury replacement for Gianluca Pagliuca during a 1998 FIFA World Cup play-off against Russia. He was called up for the 1998 World Cup finals, but did not play a single game as Pagliuca remained first choice. He was a member of the Italy squad at the 1996 Summer Olympics, the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004.
He kept seven clean sheets in addition to a 453-minute scoreless streak during the 2006 World Cup finals; the only goals conceded were an own goal from teammate Cristian Zaccardo against the United States, and a Zinedine Zidane penalty in the final. In the final against France, which ended scoreless in extra time and led to a penalty shootout in which neither Buffon or Fabien Barthez could make a save. The lone miss was David Trezeguet's effort that clanged off the bottom of the crossbar and failed to cross the line, which enabled Italy to emerge victorious. Buffon received the Yashin Award for his accomplishments throughout the competition
Trivia
Buffon shares his exact birthdate with Liverpool footballer Jamie Carragher. They met in the 2005 Champions League quarterfinals when Juventus faced Liverpool.
He is the owner of two Labradors, Ugo and Leto.
His favourite designer is Giorgio Armani.
From November 2004 to December 2006, he and Dida together endorsed a line of jewelry produced by Italian manufacturer Fibo.
Honours
Team:
European Under-21 Football Championship: 1996
Coppa Italia: 1999
UEFA Cup: 1999
Italian Super Cup: 1999, 2002, 2003
Serie A: 2002, 2003
FIFA World Cup: 2006
Serie B: 2007
Individual:
Bravo Award: 1999
FIFA 100: 2004
Yashin Award: 2006
European Footballer of the Year - Silver Ball: 2006
UEFA Champions League Most Valuable Player: 2003
UEFA Club Football Awards - Best Goalkeeper: 2003
IFFHS Best Goalkeeper: 2003, 2004, 2006
Oscar del Calcio - Best Goalkeeper: 1999, 2001-2004, 2006
Onze d'Or - Best Goalkeeper: 2003, 2006
Old school keepers of the past
Ray Clemence
"Dave's 2 bob's worth" on Ray Clemence
In the 1970's in Australia, while not much 'soccer' was shown on TV, English football was what we saw the most of. The Bundesliga was shown at 7am just after the Thunderbirds for a while in the mid-70's (just after Germany held and won the 1974 World Cup). There was the odd splash (a couple of finals games only) of the NSW League featuring teams like Hakoah, Apia, St.George and South Coast Utd. Other than that we would get English programs such as 'Star Soccer' which had the coolest theme tune you have ever heard, the F.A Cup etc.
Anyway, Ray Clemence as you will see from his profile played with the all conquering Liverpool team of the 1970's so he was on telly a lot (though not nearly as much as Dennis Lillee or Grahame Langlands). Clemence was the guy that you wanted to be when you were playing in goal in a loose game with your mates. Clemence had the perfect technique, he was tall, graceful, agile, a gentlemen.
Well respected in all football quarters Ray Clemence is currently the Head Goalkeeper Coach with the English F.A. He is a true legend of the game and deserves to be remembered. Ray Clemence was a major childhood hero of mine (along with a few others you will discover on this page in the near future). He gets the big thumbs up from me.
Player Notes:
Birthdate: 05.08.1948
Birthplace: Skegness, England
Other clubs: Scunthorpe, Tottenham
Bought from: Scunthorpe
Signed for Liverpool FC: £18000 24.06.1967
International debut: 15.11.1972 vs. Wales
Liverpool debut: 25.09.1968
Last appearance: 27.05.1981
Contract expiry: 15.08.1981
LFC league games/goals: 470 / 0
Total LFC games/goals: 665 / 0
The best goalkeeper in Liverpool's history. He started his career in 1966 at Scunthorpe. Bill Shankly convinced Ray that Tommy Lawrence's first team days were soon to be over and he would quickly get his chance but Lawrence was far from packing it in and Clemence had to wait 3 years before claiming the number 1 jersey.
In February 1970 Liverpool lost to lower-league Watford in the FA cup and Lawrence was one of those who suffered. In his first full season, 1970/71 Liverpool conceded only 22 goals in 41 games, equalling a league record. Ray only missed one game and 2 of those 24 goals conceded came when Lawrence was Clem's deputy
Clemence's most memorable game was the European cup final in Rome 1977 vs. Borussia Monchengladbach. When scores were 1:1, Uli Stielike broke through the defence but Clemence saved superbly, Liverpool added two goals and the European cup to their ever growing collection. Ray was quick, strong, agile and marshalled the defence superbly. It was no coincidence Liverpool was the best team, they had the best defence. Clemence-Neal-Kennedy-Thompson-Hansen conceded only 16 goals in the 1978-79 season. Clemence kept 28 clean sheets and only conceded 4 goals at Anfield in 21 games!
Clemence's final game at Liverpool was against Real Madrid in the European cup final in May 1981. In his distinguished career at LFC he kept 335 clean sheets in 665 appearances. He played 337 games without missing a single match from September 1972 until March 1978. Ray enjoyed a second lease of life at Tottenham, playing almost until 40 and making over 1000 appearances in total.
David Harvey
"Dave's 2 bob's worth" on David Harvey
David Harvey was at his peak in the 1970's with Leeds Utd and Scotland. He was voted best keeper at the 1974 World Cup. Harvey was a big strong athletic keeper who used the long throw more often and more effectively than any other keeper. He would clear half way easily. Class act, no worries.
Player Notes:
Position: Goalkeeper
Born: 07 Feb 1948, Leeds (England)
Height: 180 cm
Weight: 77 kg
International Caps: Scotland: 16 full
Clubs:
Leeds United: Feb 1965 - Oct 1979 (363)
Leeds United: Mar 1983 - Jan 1985 (83)
Bradford City: Jan 1985 - Jun 1985 (6)
If Leeds had been less successful, David Harvey might have decided to leave a long time before he won a regular place. Signed in 1965, he played over 200 Central League games before breaking through into the first team in 1971-72 and keeping a clean sheet in the FA Cup Final victory over Arsenal.
Born in Leeds to a Scottish father, Harvey won international recognition and was voted best keeper in the 1974 World Cup Finals. A couple of months after taking a penalty - and missing - in the Charity Shield at Wembley, Harvey had a bad car accident that kept him out for the rest of the season and meant that he missed the European Cup Final in Paris.
He was away from Leeds for a couple of years in the early 80s, having two spells at Vancouver Whitecaps in the NASL with a short period playing for Drogheda in between. He returned to play for Leeds in the second division for a couple of years before moving on to Bradford and a couple of other non-league sides. He's now retired from the game and is farming in Sanday in the Orkneys where he is also the local postie.
Pat Jennings
"Dave's 2 bob's worth"
on Pat Jennings
Pat Jennings was an absolute genius. My beloved Spurs made their biggest ever blunder letting him go way too early. Thinking he was past it Spurs sold Pat to, believe it or not arch rivals 'The Arsenal' where he continued his brilliance and gaining honours, including that memorable 1979 F.A. Cup final against Manchester United where 3 goals were scored in the last few minutes, AND he performed heroically as a 38 year old for Northern Ireland at the 1982 World Cup in Spain.
Pat Jennings was highly respected by his peers winning the Professional Footballers Association (PFA) Players Player in 1976.
Pat's hand span is 12 inches, that's a foot, that's huge. He often made saves where he would catch the ball one handed - even in the days before latex gloves when keepers wore no gloves at all, or cotton gloves that were designed to simply save hands from frostbite, they had no gripping qualities whatsoever.
With supreme positional play and anticipation Jennings was often unpassable and made it look way too easy - he was the opposite to a show pony - cool as a cucumber. It's always a tough question, but once when I was interviewed by a local paper back in Wollongong I was asked who my favourite player of all time was. My answer was Pat Jennings - (Peter Shilton & Ray Clemence very close behind)
Player Notes: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Left: The Pat Jennings mural on the Northern Ireland wall of heroes outside Windsor Park
Patrick Anthony Jennings OBE (born June 12, 1945 in Newry, County Down, Northern Ireland) is a former football player. He played 119 games for Northern Ireland as a goalkeeper, a figure which at the time was a world record (and is incidentally still a Northern Ireland record), in an international career which lasted for over 22 years. Jennings is considered one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time. During his career Jennings played in over 1,000 top level games, and even managed to score a goal in the 1967 Charity Shield match. What was even more spectacular about it was that he scored the kick from his hands - sending a large punt down the field that bounced over Manchester United goalkeeper Alex Stepney and landed in the net.
Jennings began his playing career with his hometown side Newry Town as a sixteen year old. After impressing with the team he moved to English Third Division side Watford in May 1963. Jennings again impressed in his first season in English football, as he played every league game for his club, and was bought by Tottenham Hotspur for £27,000 at the end of it. Jennings spent thirteen years at White Hart Lane, where he played in 472 league games for Spurs. He won the FA Cup in 1967, the League Cup in 1971 and 1973, and the UEFA Cup in 1972. In 1973 the Football Writers' Association named him as its footballer of the year, three years later he won PFA's version of the award.
In August 1977, he was sold to Tottenham's arch-rivals, Arsenal, with Tottenham thinking he was nearing the end of his career. However, Jennings saw off rivals for the goalkeeper's jersey to play for Arsenal for another eight years. Whilst at Highbury, he helped Arsenal to three successive FA Cup finals, in 1978, 1979, and 1980. However, Arsenal only managed to win the second of these finals, a 3-2 victory against Manchester United. In total, Jennings made 327 appearances for Arsenal, 237 of them in the League, between 1977 and his eventual retirement from first-team club football in 1985.
He guested for Shamrock Rovers in a testimonial for Shay Brennan shortly after the World Cup in 1986.
Jennings made his Northern Ireland debut as an eighteen year old, whilst playing for Watford. This game was on the 15th of April 1964, and was a British Home Championship match against Wales, Northern Ireland won the game 3-2; George Best made his international debut in the same game. Jennings played his final international game on his 41st birthday, having returned to Tottenham Hotspur six months earlier, playing in their reserve side to maintain his match sharpness. This game was Northern Ireland's final group game in the 1986 World Cup, and was against Brazil, Brazil won the game 3-0. This was Jennings's second World Cup, he had previously played in the 1982 World Cup.
Following his retirement Jennings has worked as a goalkeeping coach. He has worked at Tottenham in this capacity since 1993. In 2003 Jennings was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in recognition of the skills he demonstrated in the English league.
His son, also named Pat, is also a goalkeeper. He has played for Eircom League clubs UCD and is playing for Derry. Jennings now lives in Broxbourne, Herts, UK.
Honours:
Tottenham Hotspur:
FA Cup Winner - 1967
League Cup Winner 1971 and 1973
Uefa Cup Winner 1972
Arsenal:
FA Cup Winner - 1979
Personal:
Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year 1973
PFA Players' Player of the Year 1976