David Seaman

David Andrew Seaman (born 19 September 1963) is an English former professional goalkeeper whose career spanned from 1981 to 2004. He is most famous for his years at Arsenal. He earned 75 international caps for England, making him the country's third-most capped goalkeeper—tied with Joe Hart, behind only Peter Shilton and Jordan Pickford. In 1997, he received an MBE for his contributions to football, and he was nominated for the 1998 Ballon d'Or. He is also among the select group of players who have made over 1,000 senior appearances.

Seaman started his professional journey in the Football League with Peterborough United, Birmingham City, and Queens Park Rangers. His peak years came as the goalkeeper for both Arsenal and England during the 1990s and early 2000s. At Arsenal, he won three league titles (1991, 1998, 2002), four FA Cups (1993, 1998, 2002, 2003), the League Cup in 1993, and the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1994. He represented England at the 1998 and 2002 World Cups, as well as Euro 96 and Euro 2000. After leaving Arsenal, he played in the Premier League for Manchester City. A recurring shoulder injury forced him to retire in 2004. In June 2012, he became the goalkeeping coach for Combined Counties League side Wembley.

Seaman is widely regarded by his peers as one of the greatest goalkeepers ever, and one of the finest shot-stoppers in Premier League and English football history. He finished second in the IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper of the Year award in 1996, behind Andreas Köpke. In the IFFHS European Keeper of the Century vote, he placed 32nd (tied with Enrico Albertosi), the fourth-highest English goalkeeper. In 2013, James McNicholas of Bleacher Report called him "the greatest goalkeeper in Arsenal's history." Beyond his skill, Seaman was instantly recognisable on the pitch thanks to his moustache and the ponytail he sported for part of his career.

His save from Sheffield United's Paul Peschisolido in the 2002–03 FA Cup semi-final was hailed by the media as one of the best ever. On the downside, he made two costly errors from long-range efforts: conceding a last-minute goal to Nayim of Real Zaragoza in the 1995 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup Final, and letting in a Ronaldinho free kick for Brazil in the 2002 World Cup quarter-final. Seaman is left-handed but threw the ball with his right arm and kicked with his right foot.

Seaman was born in Rotherham, West Riding of Yorkshire, and attended Kimberworth Comprehensive School. He began his career at Leeds United, the club he supported as a boy, but was let go by manager Eddie Gray—his favourite player—much to his disappointment. In August 1982, he moved to Fourth Division Peterborough United for a £4,000 fee, where he started to build his reputation.

Just over two years later, in October 1984, Second Division Birmingham City paid £100,000 for him. They won promotion that season but were relegated the following year. Seaman did not go back down with them; in August 1986, he joined Queens Park Rangers for £225,000. Playing on a plastic pitch for a higher-profile club, he earned his first England call-up in November 1988. At QPR, he was coached by Bob Wilson—Arsenal's 1971 double-winner—who would work with him for over a decade.

In 1990, before the modern transfer window system existed, Arsenal—the 1989 league champions—tried to sign Seaman before the transfer deadline. The deal involved Arsenal goalkeeper John Lukic moving the other way on loan, but Lukic refused, and the move fell through. Once the season ended, Arsenal manager George Graham returned with a £1.3 million bid, a British record for a goalkeeper. Lukic, a fan favourite, left to rejoin Leeds.

Seaman's time at Arsenal coincided with one of the club's most successful eras. In the 1990–91 season, he played every league match and conceded just 18 goals as Arsenal reclaimed the title. Arsenal won both the FA Cup and League Cup in 1993, adding the European Cup Winners' Cup the following year. In the League Cup campaign, after two legs against Millwall, the tie went to penalties; Seaman saved three of four spot-kicks from Malcolm Allen, Jon Goodman, and Colin Cooper to send Arsenal through.

In 1995, after George Graham was sacked, Arsenal nearly became the first club to retain the Cup Winners' Cup. Seaman earned a reputation as a penalty-saving specialist, stopping efforts from Siniša Mihajlović, Vladimir Jugović, and Attilio Lombardo in the semi-final shoot-out against Sampdoria—all while playing with two cracked ribs. Arsenal lost the final to Real Zaragoza at the Parc des Princes in Paris, when Nayim lobbed Seaman from 40 yards in the final minute of extra time.

In August 1996, Arsène Wenger took over as manager. Wenger rated Seaman highly, and in 1998, Seaman helped Arsenal win the Premier League and FA Cup double. In 1998–99, he played 32 league matches as Arsenal missed the title by one point and lost in the FA Cup semi-finals to Manchester United. The following season, Arsenal reached the 2000 UEFA Cup Final, drawing 0–0 with Galatasaray before losing on penalties. In 2002, Seaman won another Premier League and FA Cup double.