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Who should be given the England goalkeepers jersey at the World Cup is still up for debate, but England are fortunate that in the past, they've had a number of reliable, quality goalkeepers to call upon in the big tournaments. We have a look at five of the best...

Five of the best England goalkeepers

David Seaman

The former Arsenal shotstopper is England's second-most capped goalkeeper with 75 caps, featuring in four major tournaments (Euro 96, World Cup 98, Euro 2000 and World Cup 2002). It was during Euro 96 that he had his best England moment, saving a penalty from Gary McAllister in the 2-0 win over Scotland at Wembley, while he also saved Miguel Angel Nadal's spot-kick in a penalty shootout against Spain in the quarter finals. His last appearance at a major tournament was marred by the mistake which allowed Ronaldinho's free-kick to creep in for Brazil, and ultimately knock England out of the tournament. His last England appearance came in a 2-2 draw with Macedonia, where he conceded a goal direct from a corner. But, with more than 1000 career appearances, Seaman enjoyed a career to be proud of, turning out for Peterborough, Birmingham, QPR, Arsenal and Manchester City.

Peter Shilton

England's most-capped player ever with 125 caps, Shilton enjoyed a 30-year career, starting with his debut as a 16-year-old for Leicester in 1996, and ending with a spell at Leyton Orient in 1996/97. His England debut came under Alf Ramsey in 1970 against East Germany, and he soon became the recognised back-up to then number 1 Gordon Banks. Shilton and Ray Clemence spent much of the next decade battling with each other for the goalkeepers jersey, and Shilton finally made it to a major tournament when England qualified for the 1980 European Championships, on the back of a successful season with Nottingham Forest. He also played in the 1982 World Cup, before he was famously beaten twice by Diego Maradona in the 1986 World Cup. He also went on to play at Euro 88 and Italia 90, before going on to complete more than 1000 games in the Football League.

Ray Clemence

Clemence won 61 caps for England in his career, during which he turned out for Scunthorpe, Liverpool and Tottenham. He was perhaps unfortunate not to win more caps, owing to the fact he rivalled Peter Shilton for the number 1 jersey for much of his career, and the two were regularly rotated as England number 1. England failed to reach a major tournament in the 1970s, but Clemence was selected in the squad for Euro 1980 and World Cup 1982, before retiring from international football. He captained England once, becoming the first 'keeper to do so since Frank Swift, in a friendly against Brazil which England lost 1-0.

Gordon Banks

England's World Cup winning goalkeeper of 1966, Banks was voted the second best goalkeeper of the 20th century in a poll by the IFFHS, and was named by Pele as one of the top 125 greatest living footballers in 2004. He won 73 caps for England, and as well as being part of the successful team in 1966, Banks was also remembered for an incredible diving save from a Pele header in the 1970 World Cup. His final cap came against Scotland in 1972, before he lost sight in his right eye in a car accident, and was subsequently replaced as England number 1 by Shilton. In his club career, Banks played for Chesterfield, Leicester, Stoke and American side Fort Lauderdale Strikers.

Chris Woods

Woods enjoyed an eight-year international career, winning 43 caps, starting as understudy to Peter Shilton before establishing himself as the number 1 in the early 1990s. He was part of the squad for the 1986 World Cup but didn't play, making his major tournament debut in Euro 88 against the USSR, when England were already eliminated. He didn't play at the 1990 World Cup, but went on to play at Euro 92, keeping two clean sheets. His last appearance for the Three Lions came on a summer tour of the USA in 1993.


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pete
Havant
banks best of all keepers worldwide
Steve
Southampton
The best shot stopper is David James, it is his concentration that is problematic. Robinson, Green, Hart, are all good keepers but not great keepers and only teams with great keepers win things. Except Brazil I can hear the great unwashed yelling, yes quite but they didn't have Upson, Lescott, King, Cole and Johnson 'protecting' them.
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