Goalkeeping Museum

1979-1989

In 1979 Manchester United’s league campaign had been its typically inconsistent self, however the one bright spot was the appearance in the FA Cup final against Arsenal. This game marked the climax to a first season for a young man signed from University in South Africa, one Gary Bailey. Standing six feet one and possesing an athletic frame, Gary Bailey had some heritage of note; his father had been a goalkeeper for Ipswich Town and retired to South Africa.

This game marked a watershed in Bailey’s career; he was considered to be at fault for Arsenal’s winning goal, letting a cross drift over his head where Alan Sunderland calmly headed in at the far post. This would have shattered a lesser individual, at only twenty one years of age Bailey would not have been blamed had he sought refuge and decided to return to South Africa.

It was a blessing for both himself and Manchester United that he stayed for the next few years, and played with such consistency and application that at certain points during the 1980’s he was considered to be putting even the great Peter Shilton under pressure in the national team. From the jaws of humiliation in 1979 Bailey emerged as the natural sucessor to Peter Shilton in 1985. Bailey was playing with such confidence and flair that Manchester United had made a record-breaking start to the 1985/86 campaign and Bailey had restricted summer signing Chris Turner from Sunderland to reserve team football. However, in early 1986, tragedy struck, Gary Bailey sustained what appeared to be a career threatening injury whilst training with England, he caught a foot in a divot and his knee twisted causing him immiediate pain. It looked as though he would miss the 1986 World Cup Finals in Mexico. However, he regained his fitness temporarily toward the end of April and was able to travel with the squad to Mexico, by which time he had lost his Manchester United place to the in-form Chris Turner. Immiediately after the tournament Bailey had surgery to repair the damage; it proved friutles and Bailey was forced into a premature retirement at the age of twenty nine.

Peter Leslie Shilton(England) D.OB - 18/09/1949

International Appearances - 125

Clubs - Leicester, Stoke, Nottingham Forest, Southampton, Derby County, Plymouth Argyle, Leyton Orient, Coventry City.

Years Acitve - 1965-1996

Born and brought up in post-war Leicester, Peter Shilton’s sole ambition was always to be the best goalkeeper in the world, and he achieved this, perhaps for many consecutive years. From his early years with his native Leicester City, to the twilight of his career in the 1990 World Cup, Shilton was perceived as a driven and serious soul. It was this drive, dedication and ambition, coupled with a fair amount of natural talent that saw Peter Shilton surpass all appearance records, both national and international. (more…)

It has often been suggested that goalkepers tend be rather crazy, haphazard individuals who seem to almost attract strange occurences and injuries, here are some well known accidents and some not so………

In April 1980, West Germany and Schalke goalkeeper Nigbur and his fiancee were dining in Gelsenkirchen, after the meal Nigbur tried to stand up to pay the bill, his knee locked and he could not stand. The diagnosis was a torn meniscus(cartilage) and Nigbur would require surgery before he could play again; months on the sidelines. Sadly for Nigbur, he was due to represent his country in the European Championships in June, Nigbur missed the Championships, West Germany won, and Nigbur never really recovered from that blow, his from declined and he never played for West Germany again.

Another sad injury ocurred on Merseyside in the mid 1990’s, it invloved an ironing board and Liverpool’s Danish goalkeeper Michael Stensgaard. After participating in some household chores, Stensgaard stretched to put the ironing board down, in the process of which he dislocated his shoulder and had to be taken to hospital as the board rendered him incapacitated. Stensgaard recovered only in part and never played for Liverpool again.

Renat Dasaev(Soviet Union)

Full Name: Rinat Fayzrakhmanovich Dasayev

D.O.B - 13/6/1957. Astrakhan

Clubs - Spartak Moscow, Sevilla(1979-1991)

Height - 1.87(6′2″)

Renat Dasaev, described by many as the finest goalkeeper of the 1980’s, was born in Astrakhan, on the Caspian Sea and played for his home town club until the age of 21, until the day Spartak Moscow arrived to play a friendly. Renat Dasaev’s performance that day was good enough to persuade Spartak Moscow to sign him immiediately; had it not been for that chance friendly, Dasaev’s talents may have run their course in that desolate outpost. (more…)

Harald ‘Toni’ Schumacher(West Germany)

D.O.B - 06/03/1954. Clubs - 1.FC Koln, Schalke, Fenerbahce, Bayern Munchen, Borussia Dortmund(1973-1996)

A goalkeeper who will ultimately bremembered for one moment of madness instead of many moments of greatness. Born in Duren, not far from Cologne, Schumacher joined his boyhood idols 1.FC after serving his apprenticeship as a boiler maker. Cologne used him infrequently during his first two years at the club due to the dominance of Gerd Welz. When the latter was injured in 1976, Schumacher was forced into the breach; initially, his performances were at times inspired, but predominantly inconsistent, earning him the inglorious nickname of ‘the fidget’. (more…)

Name: Luis Miguel Arconada Etxarri

Club Appearences: 551 - Real Sociedad - 1973-1989

National Appearences: 68 - Spain

Biography:

Luis Arconada was a fine exponent of goalkeeping, who chalked up many club and international appearances in his 16 year keeping career.

He played in the 78 and 82 World Cups for Spain, as well as the now infamous Euro 84 Final, which Spain lost 2-0 to France following Arconada’s error (see story and video below)

Aside from this error, Arconada was one of the greatest ever goalkeepers, and he was a key figure in Real Sociedad reaching the European Cup Semi Final in 1983. Arconada was also captain of Spain on a number of occasions. (more…)