The English and Goalkeepers ...

[Clarets4me]

The question of Goalkeepers comes up, quite often, on various threads ...

Thinking back, England had a fantastic " crop " of Goalkeepers, in the 1960's and 70's. After Burnley's Colin McDonald's dreadful injury playing for " The Football League " against the " League of Ireland " in 1959, he was replaced by Sheffield Wednesday's Ron Springett ( Great name for a keeper ! ) , who in turn, lost his place to the legend that was Gordon Banks. Springett was capped 33 times & was the reserve Goalkeeper in the 1966 World Cup.
Gordon Banks went on to win 73 Caps, and was replaced, post his 1972 car-crash, full time by Peter Shilton ( 125 Caps ) and Ray Clemence ( 61 ), who at one point, alternated the Goalkeepers position from match to match. Four other Goalkeepers were capped between 1968 and 1980, Joe Corrigan ( 9 ), Peter Bonetti ( 7 ), Phil Parkes of West Ham/QPR, ( 1 ) and Alex Stepney ( 1 ). Other great keepers, such as Mervyn Day of West Ham and the other Phil Parkes of Wolves never even received one cap ...

I believe one Scottish Team Manager of the period was quoted as saying, " If Joe Corrigan was Scottish, he'd have 30 Caps already, and be looking forward to his next 30 ! " ...

I still think Banks was the best I've seen, followed closely by Shilton at his peak .... any thoughts ??

[Tricky Trevor]

Some great keepers but some total dross in between.
Here’s a list of them all. Some just make you shake your head and say why?
http://www.englandfootballonline.com/Te ... Chron.html

For me Shilton just above Banks for his presence but I wish he’d used it against Maradona.
Banks, like Bobby Moore outfield, will never be bettered for positioning.

[Steve1956]

Shilton everday,the only black mark is letting that fat little cheating Argentine score that day....unforgivable.

[boatshed bill]

We've had 6 of them post Banks (well, if we include Tony Waiters)

[Clarets4me]

Some great keepers but some total dross in between.
Here’s a list of them all. Some just make you shake your head and say why?
http://www.englandfootballonline.com/Te ... Chron.html

For me Shilton just above Banks for his presence but I wish he’d used it against Maradona.
Banks, like Bobby Moore outfield, will never be bettered for positioning.

Ian Walker, Nigel Spink, Jimmy Rimmer ??

[Steve1956]

Ian Walker, Nigel Spink, Jimmy Rimmer ??

Those three are head and shoulders above Chris Kirkland...how did he get a cap?

[Steve1956]

Just seen who selected Kirkland....say no more

[Clarets4me]

Even the best had a " rick " in them, Shilton diving over Domarski's shot against Poland in the W/C qualifier in 1973, and Clemence letting Dalglish's shot squirm between his legs, in a Home International.

I still think Shilton should have been subbed 2 minutes from the end of extra-time against Germany in Italia'90, for Dave Beasant .... Shilts was 40, and although his positioning and reading of a game were there, his spring had gone, he never got near any of them, from what I recall ... I remember screaming at the television ...

[Silkyskills1]

A number of credentials on Gordon Banks' side; winning the World Cup and 'that' save against Pele plus the fact he seemed a genuinely, down to earth nice guy. However, I don't particularly recall anything outstanding about him in his time with Leicester and Stoke. There were a number of very good goalkeeoers around at the same time who were just as good as him but I suppose he got the shirt and did nothing to suggest he should relinquish it. Just never understood the fuss surrounding him as being one of the world greats.

[Herts Clarets]

Even the best had a " rick " in them, Shilton diving over Domarski's shot against Poland in the W/C qualifier in 1973, and Clemence letting Dalglish's shot squirm between his legs, in a Home International.

I still think Shilton should have been subbed 2 minutes from the end of extra-time against Germany in Italia'90, for Dave Beasant .... Shilts was 40, and although his positioning and reading of a game were there, his spring had gone, he never got near any of them, from what I recall ... I remember screaming at the television ...

I don't think Beasant was on the bench.....

[Silkyskills1]

I think he was, still living off the penalty save he made against Aldridge in the 88 Cup Final.

[evensteadiereddie]

One word, Jerry, one word - Peter Mellor.

[mdd2]

Colin McDonald was a top keeper

[Clarets4me]

I don't think Beasant was on the bench.....

My memory is sure he was, but apparently, Chris Woods was the No.2 Keeper in that squad, and I've a feeling that you had to name five subs, back in those days ...
Shilton was only 6" tall, whereas Woods was 6"2' , and Beasant 6"4' .... either way with both of them being 10 years or so younger, and Shilts having lost his spring, I'd still have gone for it ! Waddle and Pearce missed, Shilton guessed right for all three German penalties but got nowhere near ...

[Royboyclaret]

We've been blessed with some top international keepers at Burnley over the years, but perhaps two stand out in particular. Colin McDonald was simply a magnificent goalkeeper and without doubt the best I've seen playing for us during my time with maybe Blacklaw, Pope, Stevenson and Heaton running him closest. All top class keepers but McDonald was on another level.

However, we must never forget our first England international keeper, one Jerry Dawson. Played an amazing record 569 times for us from 1906 through to 1929 and capped twice for England in 1921 and 1922.

[SalisburyClaret]

Peter Bonetti - probably the most agile

[Claret32yrs]

In living memory Shilton for me until he decided to walkabout in a game, forget against who. Thought Nigel Martyn and Fraser Digby were better keepers than their cap ratio. Tim Flowers was ok.
Wasn't Peter Bonnetti nicknamed 'The Cat'?

[Silkyskills1]

Gordon West at Everton was as good as any English keeper in the 60's and he could throw the ball as far as a lot of keepers could kick it.

[cricketfieldclarets]

Shilton was a great keeper.

He gets stick for the hand of god. And rightly so. BUT he was equally dodgy in the semi against west Germany in Italy.

Probably being harsh but he looked very slow to react to their deflected goal.

[cricketfieldclarets]

As for best.

Seaman had the odd gaff (Nayim and perhaps Ronaldinho) but for me he was consistently excellent.

Even Hart, particularly until pep turned up had some incredible games for club and country.

For us. Heaton by a mile for me.

[Clarets4me]

Gil Merrick is the standout for me, a legend at Birmingham City, but conceded 29 goals in his last 9 games for England ... including 13 in two defeats by Hungary, 3-6 at Wembley and 7-1 away, in Budapest ! He was slated at the time, but the more modern critique, is that England's defence was split apart by the Hungarians, and that he never stood a chance ...

[CharlieinNewMexico]

Perry Suckling. Now where was his cap?

[Steve1956]

Dont think Neville Southall has been mentioned my favourite keeper around the middle 80s when Everton had a fantastic team,i know hes Welsh but he was a fantastic keeper and worth a mention

[Claret32yrs]

Dont think Neville Southall has been mentioned my favourite keeper around the middle 80s when Everton had a fantastic team,i know hes Welsh but he was a fantastic keeper and worth a mention

He was indeed a great keeper. Always looked like he had just crawled out of a hedge Toffee Web site makes note of his strengths and weaknesses. Strengths were great reflexes, acrobatic, one of his weaknesses was personal grooming.

[Steve1956]

He was indeed a great keeper. Always looked like he had just crawled out of a hedge Toffee Web site makes note of his strengths and weaknesses. Strengths were great reflexes, acrobatic, one of his weaknesses was personal grooming.

He had a lovely 80s porn tash

[Dy1geo]

Paul Cooper who played for a good Ipswich side springs to mind, his penalty saving record was immense and if he was around now he would be a good reserve choice keeper at a major tournament for England to come on for the Penalty shoot outs

[ClaretTony]

Of those mentioned who played for England, I'd always put Banks ahead of Shilton.

[Im_not_Robbie_Blake]

Peter Bonetti - probably the most agile

Billy Ingham had him beaten all ends up though! With his back to goal, on the edge of the penalty area, he flicked the ball over himself AND Ron 'Chopper' Harris and as it came down he spun round and hit an unstoppable ball into the top corner.

There was such an incredible reaction in the Longside - a man in front of me had an epileptic fit and ended up on top of me on the ground!

[houseboy]

A lot of great names on here and rightly so but I have to give a special mention to Alan Stevenson who, but for the glut of great goalkeeprs around at the time, I believe would have played many times for England. As it was he never got a game, he just happened to be around when England never needed to worry about that department at all. Still think along with Pope, Heaton and Blacklaw he was one of our greatest (personally I think Pope rivals him but I only saw a late career Blacklaw and - I'll risk getting shot here - I think they were/are all slightly (but only slightly) better than Heaton). Alas I never saw the mighty Colin Macdonald so I can't judge but his reputuation speaks for itself. Great goalkeepers all.

[houseboy]

Billy Ingham had him beaten all ends up though! With his back to goal, on the edge of the penalty area, he flicked the ball over himself AND Ron 'Chopper' Harris and as it came down he spun round and hit an unstoppable ball into the top corner.

There was such an incredible reaction in the Longside - a man in front of me had an epileptic fit and ended up on top of me on the ground!

Are you CERTAIN it was an epileptic fit? There are some odd characters go on the Turf.

[Im_not_Robbie_Blake]

Yes, I'm certain, but know what you mean!

When he had the fit his mate looked down and said 'Don't worry - he does this sometimes', 2 minutes later he was fine again!

[claret54]

Macdonald and Pope are for me the two best Burnley keepers I've seen. They both had the similar ability to deal with crosses into the box. Makes such a difference when attackers don't even get a chance to head the ball.Blacklaw Heaton and Stevenson the other really good keepers we have had.

[Siddo]

A number of credentials on Gordon Banks' side; winning the World Cup and 'that' save against Pele plus the fact he seemed a genuinely, down to earth nice guy. However, I don't particularly recall anything outstanding about him in his time with Leicester and Stoke. There were a number of very good goalkeeoers around at the same time who were just as good as him but I suppose he got the shirt and did nothing to suggest he should relinquish it. Just never understood the fuss surrounding him as being one of the world greats.

Apart from many incredible saves. The Pele save, the save from Geoff Hurst's penalty and nearly every top pro in the 60s and early 70s naming him as the worlds best keeper. In fact, without checking, and apologies if I'm wrong, but I think he won FIFA's keeper of the year around 6 or 7 times.
Also, your promoting Gordon West is laughable. Even the most ardent Everton fan would struggle to agree.

[houseboy]

Yes, I'm certain, but know what you mean!

When he had the fit his mate looked down and said 'Don't worry - he does this sometimes', 2 minutes later he was fine again!

One of the oddest and quite nice things I ever saw was a guy who used to go in a pub I frequented in the 80s (Queens at Rawtenstall to be precise) who did used to have seizures and occasionally in the pub. Bloke had a dog that went everywhere with him and one night I witnessed this, he starting fitting and went out cold for just a couple of minutes then fully recoverd but during his black out the dog wouldn't let anyone near him and sat by his side until he came round. When I asked him about this he just said 'yeah, he protects me, he seems to know it's just temporary and won't let anyone near until I recover'. Amazing animal.

[Suratclaret]

We've been blessed with some top international keepers at Burnley over the years, but perhaps two stand out in particular. Colin McDonald was simply a magnificent goalkeeper and without doubt the best I've seen playing for us during my time with maybe Blacklaw, Pope, Stevenson and Heaton running him closest. All top class keepers but McDonald was on another level.

However, we must never forget our first England international keeper, one Jerry Dawson. Played an amazing record 569 times for us from 1906 through to 1929 and capped twice for England in 1921 and 1922.

Have to agree about McDonald and but for his injury he would have played for England many more times. His command of the area was second to none.

[Siddo]

Apart from many incredible saves. The Pele save, the save from Geoff Hurst's penalty and nearly every top pro in the 60s and early 70s naming him as the worlds best keeper. In fact, without checking, and apologies if I'm wrong, but I think he won FIFA's keeper of the year around 6 or 7 times.
Also, your promoting Gordon West is laughable. Even the most ardent Everton fan would struggle to agree.

I have just cheqked the fifa website and Banks won keeper of the year for 6 consecutive seasons from 66 onwards.
For me, thread over.

[GordonvaleClaret]

However, we must never forget our first England international keeper, one Jerry Dawson. Played an amazing record 569 times for us from 1906 through to 1929 and capped twice for England in 1921 and 1922.

Jack Hillman 1899

[Targetman]

Gordon Banks is the best English keeper I've ever seen, I would always rate him above Shilton, although Shilton was a top class keeper.

I always remember Gordon Banks playing against us on the Turf in the '60's when he ran out of his penalty area and headed the ball clear. Thats an everyday thing now, seen regularly, but it was the first time that I had ever witnessed a goalkeeper doing that, always sticks in my mind.

Never saw Colin MacDonald play but did see Adam Blacklaw at his best, he became my hero as I grew up in the 1960's watching some excellent Burnley teams.

Since Blacklaw I would say that Alan Stevenson and more recently Tom Heaton and Nick Pope are the best Clarets keepers that I've seen.

[basil6345789]

The question of Goalkeepers comes up, quite often, on various threads ...

Thinking back, England had a fantastic " crop " of Goalkeepers, in the 1960's and 70's. After Burnley's Colin McDonald's dreadful injury playing for " The Football League " against the " League of Ireland " in 1959, he was replaced by Sheffield Wednesday's Ron Springett ( Great name for a keeper ! ) , who in turn, lost his place to the legend that was Gordon Banks. Springett was capped 33 times & was the reserve Goalkeeper in the 1966 World Cup.
Gordon Banks went on to win 73 Caps, and was replaced, post his 1972 car-crash, full time by Peter Shilton ( 125 Caps ) and Ray Clemence ( 61 ), who at one point, alternated the Goalkeepers position from match to match. Four other Goalkeepers were capped between 1968 and 1980, Joe Corrigan ( 9 ), Peter Bonetti ( 7 ), Phil Parkes of West Ham/QPR, ( 1 ) and Alex Stepney ( 1 ). Other great keepers, such as Mervyn Day of West Ham and the other Phil Parkes of Wolves never even received one cap ...

I believe one Scottish Team Manager of the period was quoted as saying, " If Joe Corrigan was Scottish, he'd have 30 Caps already, and be looking forward to his next 30 ! " ...

I still think Banks was the best I've seen, followed closely by Shilton at his peak .... any thoughts ??

You've omitted others from the post Macdonald era. I can think of; Eddie Hopkinson, Alan Hodgkinson and Tony Waiters. Maybe more?