Goalkeeping Museum

David James, like most goalkeepers (ourselves included) from time-to-time probably fancies himself as a good outfield player.

What better way to show your nimblefootedness than when an opportunity presents itself to join your boys out in the field in the desperate hunt for a much needed goal? Well, when, in doing so, you get the ball. We all remember Schmeichel’s great forays forwards, and even Jimmy Glass struck the back of the net, so David James’ heart must have skipped a beat when he picked up the ball at the edge of the Fulham area a couple of years ago.

His skills on the ball are woeful, however, and watch the ensuing mayhem, which can only be described as “Laurel and Hardyesque”:

Bouna Coundoul of Colorado in Major League Soccer (USA) has his critics who say that he is “too flashy” and that he has “butterfingers” and he also has avid fans and supporters who claim his flamboyance makes the game we love so much - football - a joy to behold.

Have a watch of Coundoul in this video replay of a match against New England:

Whatever you might think (leave your own comment!) it certainly has to be said that the aim was achieved here - it was a clean sheet - and that’s the bottom line for any keeper.

David Seaman, a hugely strong keeper for both club and country, enjoyed a long and successful career.

Here is a compilation of some of his greatest moments - enjoy in particular his reflexes; his braveness; and his strength at putting hard shots well out of the danger zone.

Seaman earned the nickname “Safe Hands” from his team-mates. It is easy to see how.

Shay Given has enjoyed a long and successful goalkeeping career with Newcastle and the Republic of Ireland - and is still going strong.

This video compilation demonstrates some ofGiven’s greatest saves; his quick reflexes; and his excellent agility:

Newcastle fans will surely agree that Given has added many points to their total, season after season.

We discovered this compilation of saves - while the music is often fairly dodgy on these videos, they are often worth watching! Enjoy.

The BBC voted this Thomas Kuszczak save for West Brom as their “Save of the Season” - it isn’t hard to see why!

This demonstrates great awareness, drive and most of all a will to stop the ball at all costs, as he dives at Roberts’ feet and pulls off a great save.

Kuszczak would move to Manchester United at the end of this season, a transfer surely at least in part due to this fine save.

Watch this excellent save made by Doni of Brazil in their Copa Anmerica final against arch rivals Argentina.

Riquelme gets plenty behind his drive for the top-right corner of Doni’s goal, but the keeper is up to the task of saving it.

Another Brazilian to look out for plying his trade in Italy.

In the international between Ghana and Australia at Loftus Road on November 14 2006, Autralia led 1-0 and had this corner.

Richard Kingson (AKA Faruk Gürsoy) pulled off this incredible save from the header. The game eventually finished 1-1 - thanks in no small part to the athletic actions of Kingson.

Kingson would go on to sign for Birmingham City in summer 2007.

In Chelsea’s Premier League match against Portsmouth in the 2006/07 season, Chelsea led 1-0 and a great cross was met by the head of veteran goal-scorer Andrew Cole. Unfortunately for Cole, Petr Cech, the Chelsea goalkeeper, performed an extraordinary reflex save to his left to deny Cole.

Polish Cech, in his early 20s, looks destined to be a goalkeeping great, and is sure to add to the trophies he has collected so far with Chelsea.

Have a look at former Brøndby goalkeeper Mogens Krogh saving from Steffen Højer of Viborg.

This overhead volley looked destined to be a great goal, but the keeper had other ideas!

As a keeper, you know you’ve done well when the man you just saved from congratulates you - it is also nice to see football played in this spirit.

Krogh is currently the goalkeeping coach at Brøndby.