Luis Arconada

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 [...]

Sepp Maier

Name: Josef “Sepp” Maier Club Appearences: 536 – Bayern Munich 1965-1980 National Appearences: 95 – West Germany – 1966-1979 Biography: Sepp Maier was one of the greatest keepers during a period which saw many great goalkeepers rise to prominence, particularly in Europe. He spent his entire playing career at Bayern Munich – which is an [...]

Gordon Banks Vs Pele

This save is widely recognised as one of the best ever made. There are several reasons for this, not least because: it was in a World Cup; a header by arguably the best centre-forward of the era; and Banks managed to put the ball out of play. Gordon Banks was a fine goalkeeper for England, [...]

Welcome to the Museum of Goalkeeping

Welcome to our goalkeeping museum – The Museum of Goalkeeping – here we celebrate the man between the sticks and look to highlight some of the great characters, saves and everything else which has marked the history of football, from the most important position. Feel free to read, share and enjoy your and our favourite [...]

Bert Trautmann

Bert Trautmann

Name: Bernhard “Bert” Carl Trautmann Club Appearances: 590 (545 Manchester City, 43 St Helens town, 2 Wellington town) Height: 6ft 2in – 189.5cm Date of Birth: 22/10/1922 Bremen, Germany Biography Bert Trautmann had a quite remarkable goalkeeping career which began in a prisoner of war camp in Ashton-in-Makerfield and ended, long after, having lifted the [...]

Goalkeeper Training

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 [...]

Bodo Illgner

Name: Bodo Illgner 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 [...]

John Thomson – “The Prince of Goalkeepers”

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 [...]

Rado Majdan v England

England fans won’t remember Radoslaw Majdan with any fondness after the display he made for his native Poland. One centre half in particular will have been very disappointed that the long haired Pole was on such top form:

Boruc Saves Own Goal

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 [...]