For many years, goalkeepers had to content themselves with either a lonesome solitary (or small group) training session on their own, or with the outfield players, followed by some shooting practice or a small match.
These days, goalkeepers have their own coaches - usually ex-keepers themselves - who provide specific drills aimed solely at perfecting the goalkeeper’s art.
But first for one thing that has never changed: the mentor.
The Mentor
Most good goalkeepers who have ever played had a mentor. Most average and even the poor ones probably did too. These guys are there for you through thick and thin. They’ve been there themselves: you trust them; you respect them.
For David Seaman, at Arsenal, it was Bob Wilson who was always there with a helpful word of support and advice (but more importantly support). While goalkeeping coaches are important, it is considered equally so that there is someone who can provide mental support during periods of self-doubt.
The Drills
Goalkeepers, with the introduction of specialist coaches, and the investment of time and money into the science behind the art, have therefore got many more drills and techniques they can use to improve their game than ever before. Simply watching this video of Hannover’s goalkeepers in training demonstrates a few of the myriad drills Read the rest of this entry →
Club Appearances: 417 (326 for 1.FC Koln; 91 for Real Madrid)
National Appearances: 54 (Germany)
Height: 6ft 1in - 187cm
Date of Birth: 07/04/1967, Koblenz, West Germany
Biography
Bodo Illgner was the vociferous shot-stopping goalkeeper who achieved great things for club and country, winning the FIFA World Cup (1990, Germany), the European Champions League twice (1998, 2000, Real Madrid), World Club Cup (1998, Real Madrid), as well as numerous Budesliga and German Cup Runners-Up medals. Read the rest of this entry →
There are few figures from the history of goalkeeping who generate such resounding applause and respect from those who witnessed him play as John Thomson, of Glasgow Celtic, who lost his life on the pitch, making a one-on-one save against arch rivals Glasgow Rangers.
On September 5, 1931, John Thomson played his last ever game of football in an Ibrox derby. Such was his talent and commitment to the goalkeeping cause, one commentator, Hugh Taylor, in his book The Masters of Scottish Football (1967), christened Thomson “The Prince of Goalkeepers”. That label seems remarkably apt, given the high description Hugh Taylor provides of the young Celtic stopper:
And yet… and yet… the goalkeeper I nominate as prince of his trade was only twenty-two when he died, hardly in the flush of manhood. But even at that tender age, as far as footballers go, he had become a legend. For he was John Thomson, Scotland’s most loved player.” Read the rest of this entry →
As a defender, scoring an own goal is a real frustration, not to mention that its embarrassing. In this Champion’s League match between Manchester United and Celtic, Boruc of Celtic makes a great save from his own defender, and saves some blushes.
Having produced a fine penalty save against United in the home fixture, Boruc appears to enjoy playing United.
In the context of a match, a penalty awarded with the scores at 1-1 in the 70th minute is going to be a pivotal moment. In the context of football in London, when this happens in an Arsenal v Spurs match at these scores, it doesn’t get any bigger than this.
This was the situation that Almunia, of Arsenal found himself faced with when Kolo Toure brought down Berbatov of Tottenham Hotspur in this match:
The goalkeeper got down smartly to his right to keep out what was, in truth, a below par penalty kick from Robbie Keane of Tottenham. This ball was not in the corner, and not struck hard enough to beat a keeper going the right way.
In 1999, Carlisle began the final game of the season bottom of the Football Lague, with Scarborough 1 point ahead of them.
During their matches, Carlisle were going down, as they were drawing 1-1 in their match with Plymouth and Scarborough had just drawn themselves.
In the 95th minute, caution was thrown to the wind, and Jimmy Glass, the on-loan Carlisle goalkeeper, headed to join this last minute corner: Read the rest of this entry →
Peter Schmeichel always managed to make an impact on the football pitch. Usually for making show-stopping saves. However, every now and again, the great Dane would jog to the other end of the pitch to show his fellow teammates what they should have been doing for the previous 90 or so minutes Read the rest of this entry →
Iker Casillas is an extremely agile and athletic goalkeeper. Watch this great low diving reaction save - there are few who would have saved this well struck close-range shot: Read the rest of this entry →
Name: Bodo Illgner
The Museum of Goalkeeping - created by keepers & goalkeeping enthusiasts to celebrate the Art of Goalkeeping throughout the history of football!