David Seaman

For the writer and conspiracy theorist, see David Seaman (writer). For the DJ, see Dave Seaman.

David Seaman
MBE
Seaman in 2012
Personal information
Full name David Andrew Seaman[1]
Date of birth (1963-09-19) 19 September 1963 (age 61)[1]
Place of birth Rotherham, England
Height 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)[2][3]
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Youth career
1981–1982 Leeds United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1982–1984 Peterborough United 91 (0)
1984–1986 Birmingham City 75 (0)
1986–1990 Queens Park Rangers 141 (0)
1990–2003 Arsenal 405 (0)
2003–2004 Manchester City 19 (0)
Total 731 (0)
International career
1984–1986 England U21 10 (0)
1987–1992 England B 6 (0)
1988–2002 England 75 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

David Andrew Seaman MBE (born 19 September 1963) is an English former footballer who played as a goalkeeper. In a career lasting from 1981 to 2004, he is best known for his time playing for Arsenal. He won 75 caps for England, and is the country's second-most capped goalkeeper, after Peter Shilton.[4] In 1997, he was awarded the MBE for services to football.

Seaman began his career in the Football League for Peterborough United, Birmingham City and Queens Park Rangers. The peak of his career was during his period as Arsenal and England goalkeeper in the 1990s and early 2000s. During his time at Arsenal, he won three league championships (1991, 1998, 2002), four FA Cups (1993, 1998, 2002, 2003), the League Cup in 1993 and the European Cup Winners Cup in 1994. During this time he also played for England in the 1998 and 2002 FIFA World Cups, and Euro 96 and Euro 2000. After leaving Arsenal, he played in the Premier League for Manchester City. He retired in 2004 due to a recurring shoulder injury. In June 2012, he was appointed goalkeeping coach of Combined Counties League club Wembley.

Seaman is considered to be one of the greatest English goalkeepers of all time,[5][6][7] as well as one of the best shot-stoppers in Premier League and English football history.[8][9] He placed second in the IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper of the Year award in 1996, behind Andreas Köpke,[10] while he placed 32nd, alongside Enrico Albertosi, in the European Keeper of the Century vote, which was organised by the same organisation, the fourth–highest ranked English goalkeeper.[11] In 2013, James McNicholas of Bleacher Report described Seaman as "the greatest goalkeeper in Arsenal's history."[12] In addition to his goalkeeping ability, Seaman was also a highly recognisable figure on the pitch due to his moustache and the ponytail hairstyle he wore for part of his career.[13]

Seaman's save from Paul Peschisolido of Sheffield United in the 2002–03 FA Cup semi-final was described in the media as one of the best ever. Notable lows came with two costly errors, both from long-range efforts—conceding a last-minute goal in the 1995 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup Final to Nayim of Real Zaragoza, and conceding to a Ronaldinho free kick against Brazil in the 2002 FIFA World Cup quarter-final. Seaman is left-handed, but threw the ball with his right arm and kicked with his right foot.

  1. ^ a b "David Seaman". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 24 March 2020.
  2. ^ "David Seaman". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  3. ^ "David Seaman Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  4. ^ "England's Goalkeepers in Most Appearance Order". England Football Online. Retrieved 20 May 2009.
  5. ^ Winter, Henry (14 January 2004). "Seaman conjured defiant moments". The Telegraph. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  6. ^ Martland, Charles (30 June 2016). "None of Southgate's Euro '96 team-mates is working for the FA". The Times. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  7. ^ "Best of Times, Worst of Times: David Seaman". The Times. 11 June 2006. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference 10 best goalkeepers in Premier League history was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference legends was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ Pierrend, José Luis (25 January 2000). "IFFHS' World's Best Goalkeeper of the Year 1996". RSSSF. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  11. ^ Stokkermans, Karel (30 January 2000). "IFFHS' Century Elections: Europe - Keeper of the Century". RSSSF. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  12. ^ McNicholas, James (19 July 2013). "5 Best Arsenal Goalkeepers of All Time". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  13. ^ Cite error: The named reference tragedy was invoked but never defined (see the help page).