Stories, history and info

Goalkeeping Fathers / Sons

Spurs and ex England goalie Ian Walker's Dad Mike used to keep goal for Colchester United back in the Seventies. Mike tried to buy his son during his first spell in charge of Norwich City.

Midfielders Stephen Clemence and Sam Shilton decided not to follow in their fathers' footsteps and battle it out for the England No1 spot like their dads, Ray and Peter, did in the late 70s/early 80s. They both opted for a career in the middle of the park instead, although Stephen was once forced to play in goal for Birmingham City after Nico Vassen was sent off.

Peter Schmeichel's son Kasper has followed in his father's footsteps, signing pro-forms with Manchester City

Dad Bobby may have played for Wales and been manager of the Welsh side at the time but when it came to his own International career Celtic keeper Jonathon Gould opted to play for Scotland instead, receiving a call-up to the Scottish World Cup Squad in 1998 following Andy Goram's departure.

Taken from www.goalkeepersaredifferent.com

Goal Scoring 'Keepers

Despite being some 100 - odd yards from the action, goalkeepers have been known to pop-up from time to time to score vital goals for their sides. None more so than the Paraguayan goalie Jose Luis Chilavert. A dead ball specialist, he regularly scores from the penalty spot for both club and country. In 1998 he captured the attention of the World's sporting press after curling a free kick around the wall and past his opposite number during an International against Argentina in Buenos Aires and in 1999 he became the first goalkeeper to score a hat-trick in the history of the game (for Velez Sarsfield against Ferro Carril Oeste).

See a video of a goal scored direct from the goalkeepers hands.

Personal Oddities

Manchester City and England Goalkeeper Jim Mitchell is the only man to play for England while wearing spectacles. Doing so in 1924 when capped against Ireland. He also played in the 1922 FA Cup Final for West Bromwich Albion wearing his specs.

Probably the most istantlty recognisable international goalkeeper of recent times was Faeroe Islands' goalie Martin Knudsen, who nearly always used to wear a bobble hat when he played.

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Leon is Regional Director for UK International Soccer Camps