Saints Greatest ever XI - Goalkeeper Nominations.

[DarrenLeTiss]

To try and take away our minds from things, I thought I would organise something so we could all have our say and vote for Southamptons greatest ever team. Week by week we will vote for a different position until we have what we can call the Saints Web Greatest ever team, For ease of voting the team will be a standard 4-4-2 and cut off for voting is 7.00PM every Sunday.

Players can only be included once so whether Le Tissier is included as a midfielder or Striker is open to debate(or whether he is even included at all)

From Sunday until Tuesday you can use this thread to Nominate your favourite, then On Tuesdays the four with the most votes will then go into a poll where everybody can vote for their favourite, And closing time will be as above. So you have until Tuesday at 7.00pm to cast your votes for the Goalkeeper..

So to start things off, This week for we are voting for Saints greatest ever Goalkeeper.

Who gets your vote?

[DarrenLeTiss]

To Start things off my vote for Saints greatest ever Goalkeeper is ..


Niemi

Great shot stopper, and a bloody nice bloke to boot.

[TopGun]

Shilton

[krissyboy31]

Got to be Shilton for me, even though we've had some damned fine keepers throughout the years.

[Weston Saint]

Shilton

[benjii]

I didn't see Shilton play for Saints but I can't imagine how he could have been better than Antii.

Antii's performances for us were truly world class on many occasions and I don't think that can be said about too many Saints players in my time.

So that's another vote for Niemi then...

[icehagman]

Here´s one more vote for Niemi!

[um pahars]

Shilton by a country mile.

Niemi (and Fowers) were also good, but here is a guy who got 125 caps for his country with 49 of them made whilst playing for us.

(Those 125 caps were also despite sharing the position with Clemence for most of the 70's, with Clemence also winning 61 caps).

Shilton's international career spanned 20 years!!!!

[St Paul]

I didn't see Shilton play for Saints but I can't imagine how he could have been better than Antii.

...

Shilts was one of the top 3 English goalkeepers ever to have played the game. He was world class for us, week in week out. Antii was fantastic, but not as good as Shilts, in my opinion..........

[NickG]

none for Katalinic?

Shilton by a few miles for me.

[explorer saint]

Shilts no 1

Though Flowers, Niemi, Martin and Turner hold special memories

[VectisSaint]

Shilton

[Fowllyd]

Shilton by several streets. He was widely regarded at the time he played for us as being not just the world's best keeper, but the world's best ever keeper. Peerless.

[Bensfcno1]

Niemi!

[Appy]

Niemi due to not seeing shilton play.

[Under Weststand]

Difficult one between Shilton & Neimi, but will go for Shilton by a short head.

[Gemmel]

Complete ***t of a bloke, but it has to be Shilton

[rpb]

Shilton due to not seeing Black play.

[qwertySFC]

Ian Turner..

Peter Wells

[saint lard]

Shilton.

[Panda]

Favourite keeper - Peter Wells Greatest keeper - Peter Shilton

[AndyNorthernSaints]

Niemi

[PAULACZT]

obviously, after eric martin...shilton!..niemi is not even close!

[Mustapha Fag]

Niemi due to not seeing shilton play.

Theres the thing, you can only vote on what youve seen, some youngsters will think its Kelvin !!!!

Shilton without even a moment to deciede

[EFM]

obviously, after eric martin...shilton!..niemi is not even close!

:-) Eric Martin certainly was top entertainment value but just not a very good goalkeeper.

I'll go for Niemi because my memory is shot.

[NickG]

for those who didn't see him, to give you some idea

if KD is 5/10
Neimi 7/10

Shilton would be 10 -thats how good he was, Neimi was very very good but Shilton would make him look average.

[corsacar saint]

Eric Martin

[Toomer]

Cambell Forsyth

[benjii]

for those who didn't see him, to give you some idea

if KD is 5/10
Neimi 7/10

Shilton would be 10 -thats how good he was, Neimi was very very good but Shilton would make him look average.

I simply don't believe this and think it is actually quite laughable.

Sorry.

Clearly Shilton was good and arguably deserves to win this vote but to say he would make Niemi look average is surely to squint anemically through the rosiest of spectacles.

[Appy]

Dexter Blackstock anyone?

[benjii]

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=aQMRF29gK24

[benjii]

Dexter Blackstock anyone?

:lol:

[GAS]

Theres the thing, you can only vote on what youve seen, some youngsters will think its Kelvin !!!!

Shilton without even a moment to deciede
George Clawley. Saw him play in 1897, made Shilton look like David James.

[St Landrew]

You could organise this into a series of threads whereby people nominate their entrants to a poll, and then we let the poll run for the next few days. Just a thought.

Shilton for me, without a doubt. For those that think I might not rate Niemi though, here would be my top 5 in descending order:

Shilton
Niemi
Turner
Flowers
Martin

[Hatch]

Shilton.

not even considering any of the others.

[DarrenLeTiss]

You could organise this into a series of threads whereby people nominate their entrants to a poll, and then we let the poll run for the next few days. Just a thought.

Shilton for me, without a doubt. For those that think I might not rate Niemi though, here would be my top 5 in descending order:

Shilton
Niemi
Turner
Flowers
Martin


Yes I like that idea, We will get nominations in until Tuesday Evening, then the top 4 Nominations will go into a poll to decide the winner.

[Windmill Arm 2]

Phil Kite

[Tac-tics]

Niemi

[NickG]

I simply don't believe this and think it is actually quite laughable.

Sorry.

Clearly Shilton was good and arguably deserves to win this vote but to say he would make Niemi look average is surely to squint anemically through the rosiest of spectacles.

Did you watch Shilton for us? Don't get me wrong, not for a minute saying Neimi is average - just think Shilton was class above. Neimi wasn't being recognised at the best in the division, where as Shilton was being recognised at arguably best in the world for his generation.

[TijuanaTim]

Shilts

[exit2]

Did you watch Shilton for us? Don't get me wrong, not for a minute saying Neimi is average - just think Shilton was class above. Neimi wasn't being recognised at the best in the division, where as Shilton was being recognised at arguably best in the world for his generation.

Nick we dont agree on much but you have summed up Shilton perfectly.

Shilts I think holds the record for playing more games than any other player. His england caps is also a record I think.

11 different clubs
3 World Cups
2 European Cup finals

and of course Tina!

[Hunty]

Shilton followed by Flowers then Niemi :)

[docker-p]

Shilton.

Although for simply playing at Wembley in '76 Ian Turner needs a mention.

[Mr saint]

Alan Blayney without a doubt.

[yorkie]

How can anyone believe it's not Peter Shilton?

His goalkeeping career is second to none...England Caps, Championships, European Cups, League Cups - although never an FACup despite playing in Finals.

[ALWAYS_SFC]

Without a shadow of a doubt ....Peter Shilton

[Sheff Saint]

Given as Shils was before my time i'm going for Flowers over Neimi.

Looks like this position is wrapped up already thou!

[Stanley Saint]

Ivan Katalinic. Great 'tache, great keeper.
Although Shilton was great, we all expected him to be great, so it was no surprise. Everytime Katalinic caught the ball was a cause for celebration. Happy days.

[teamsaint]

for entertainment there is no one to touch eric Martin, But as a top keeper you can't see past Shilts. ( despite his tendency to punch).
pretty handy to have Anti on the bench as well!!

[chi saint]

Well i've seen a fair few keepers, I have a soft spot for Budgie he was very capable and EXTREMELY fit. I'd see him working out down at the old Terry Morris gym in Bedford place after having spent the morning at Saints training.

Don't agree with the earlier comparison with Niemi being a 7/10 and Shilts a 10 there simply isn't that greater difference between top keepers performing at their best.

But i've no doubt in nominating Shilts, not just because he was England No1 at the time but because he was widely considered to be World numero uno and proved it time and time again.

[Windmill Arm 2]

Actually Bruce Grobbelaar

[ottery st mary]

John Hollowbread..God Bless Him.....Because he ran our local pub for years AND A GREAT BLOKE.....

But For this team The Best has to be Shilts...


Peter SHILTON.

[Roman]

Another vote for Shilton. Is there a goalkeeper anywhere right now who's close to being as good as he was?

[Billy Shite]

1st Shilton...

2nd Niemi, 3rd Flowers

[Roman]

Time to do the RB?

[corsacar saint]

Did Shilton ever claim a corner. When we beat Coventry 8-2, he should have saved both goals [ both shots from over 30 yards]. When he was here he was well past his best.
Plus most of his time here he had a good defence, something Eric Martin seldom had in
his time at the club. I did see Shilton almost single handedly get Leicester a point here
in 1969, until Ron Davies powered a header past him in the last minute[ aged 19] and
he was great then.

[rpb]

Time to do the RB?

Ivan Golac!

Next?

[Roman]

Ivan Golac!

Next?

Beat me to it. Such an exciting player.

[Blanco Saint]

Shilts was magic and so was Niemi.
Saw both play, due to the most happy memories of the most brilliant keepers in Saints recent time, my vote is blurred only by trips europe and fa cup tours, before this current misery was upon us, for that reason only i will vote for
N I E M I

[Micky]

Peter Shilton for me - but surely Casey Keller and Chris Woods must give him a run for his money - or are loanees banned from this poll...!!! ;)

[Badger]

Did Shilton ever claim a corner....
When he was here he was well past his best.
Plus most of his time here he had a good defence, something Eric Martin seldom had ...

I share your view of Shilton and that he had passed his 'best before date' when he joined us,as he had really peaked during his time at Forest.

However the facts don't really support us as he joined us in 1982,and 8 years later - having p!ssed off to Derby in between- he was still Englands No1 in the WC Semi-final team.Shilton is the greatest keeper to have played for us.

I never really took to Shilton,he was an England player who happened to play for Saints,rather than one of ourplayers who achieved greatness.If I were voting for my favourite GK,then Niemi,Flowers and Eric Martin would be well ahead.

Voting for a goalkeeper from a given season then it would be Niemi who played for us in 2002/3 - ie the triple save season vArsenal.That would match any single performance of any other keeper we have ever had.

[The Fat Controller]

John "Budgie" Burridge purely for the entertainment value of his warm up walking half way up the pitch on his hands

[Dubai Saint]

Ian Andrews £200k 20 years ago or so just to warm up our greatest Tim Flowers
Only vivid memories of Shilton, but record speaks for itself.

[Oz]

george ephgrave

[Oz]

dexter blackstock, terry paine or cliff huxford!

[KK the 2nd]

John "Budgie" Burridge purely for the entertainment value of his warm up walking half way up the pitch on his hands

Agree with best entertainer as keeper was Budgie, followed by Brucie and, for his hairstyle alone, Eric Martin.
However best keeper by a mile was Shilts.

[rpb]

dexter blackstock, terry paine or cliff huxford!

Do you remember that 5 - 4 league cup game against Leeds? I seem to remember that we had Reynolds, Paine and Huxford in goal that evening!

Actually Reynolds wasn't in the same class as Shilton or Niemi but, whilst discussing great Saints' goalies, he is worth a mention.

[saintwarwick]

1. Shilton
2. Niemi
3. Flowers

[adriansfc]

Greatest is very hard unless you've watched 60 or 70 years really.

So I've just gone for favourite, from my 15 years support.

-----------Niemi----------

Dodd Svensson Monkou Bridge

------Oakley----Marsden-----

Ekelund----Le Tissier----Pahars

-----------Beattie-------------

subs: benali, flowers, lundekvam, crouch, anders svensson.

That's right, I've stuck with Jan's formation for a laugh. Plus it was the only way I could fit in those 4 attackers. They'd have been awesome going forward.

BUT, my vote for greatest keeper has to go to SHILTON. I just never saw him play for us.

[Thedelldays]

i went to my first game in 1985 when i was 5 so dont have many memories of the team from that era....

my biggest memories start from the very late 80's/early 90's...

my team based on that....

--------------niemi

Dodd------killer-----richards---bridge

ekelund----le tiss---oakley----marsden

------beattie----pahars

manager - wgs

subs---flowers, hall, benali, crouch, shearer, danny wallace, hurlock

[rpb]

Greatest is very hard unless you've watched 60 or 70 years really.

So I've just gone for favourite, from my 15 years support.

-----------Niemi----------

Dodd Svensson Monkou Bridge

------Oakley----Marsden-----

Ekelund----Le Tissier----Pahars

-----------Beattie-------------



I go back 53 years of supporting and would agree on Le Tiss and Bridge out of that selection - I would have Niemi on the bench though...

To have any credibility at all, any greatest ever Saints' team has to include Paine, Channon and MLT.

[ExSt Peter Saint]

Shilton for sure.

[Long Shot]

For a short period of time 1968 Gerry Gurr before he got injured.
I prefer Niemi to Shilton because I never saw Niemi make a mistake while Shilton was sometimes went missing at corners.

Surprised no one has mentioned Jonah (the keeper not the Lowe luvvie).:rolleyes:

[Denzil]

Dave Beasant.

[hughieslastminutegoal]

Ian Turner..

Peter Wells

Oh well, if you are going to be like that then I'll say Dave McClaren and John Hollowbread.

[rpb]

Oh well, if you are going to be like that then I'll say Dave McClaren and John Hollowbread.

Bob Charles?

[cambsaint]

Shilton-I swear that he could alter his arms and upper body like a fish mid-dive.
He is in a class of less than ten for the world's best ever let alone Saint's.

[derry]

Has to be Shilton.

[adriansfc]

Worst?

Chris Woods or Alan Blayney.

[Nutwood2]

1. Shilton
2. Niemi
3. Flowers

Spot on. Same for me.

[Pilchards]

Shilton had a damn good defence in front of him while Niemi had some ****e so I will give it closely to Niemi.
Shilton would command him defence better while Niemi would fling himself 30 yards to make a breathtaking save.
So thats why for entertainment factors.

[ottery st mary]

Forgot The Great Tony Godfrey........Great Little Un..

[Thedelldays]

Shilton had a damn good defence in front of him while Niemi had some ****e so I will give it closely to Niemi.
Shilton would command him defence better while Niemi would fling himself 30 yards to make a breathtaking save.
So thats why for entertainment factors.
did he...one season we had one of the meanest defence in the prem...something like 5th or 6th best....that is something...right?

[TopGun]

Oh well, if you are going to be like that then I'll say Dave McClaren and John Hollowbread.

Lol... and Terry Gennoe.

[Chap in the Chapel]

Antti Niemi. Shilton has said himself that his best years were at Nottingham Forest and I will be amazed and delighted if I ever see a better goalkeeper than Niemi play for Saints.

[Long Shot]

Bob Charles?

saw him in Shirley High St the other day eating a pie

[paulwantsapint]

KD deserves a mention for this season
Beasent Deserves a mention for pure entertainment and toss a coin will he save or not

BUT THERE WAS ONLY 1 FLYING FINN gets the vote due to 2-2 draw at fulham when he saved Dodds back pass from top corner then set up killer to score

ANTTI NIEMI

[hughieslastminutegoal]

Bob Charles?

Greatest in a rather different sense, perhaps?
Certainly done his bit for ex-Saints.
Legend.

[hughieslastminutegoal]

Forgot The Great Tony Godfrey........Great Little Un..

Fab - I can still hear Cliff Huxford's husky call of "Goalie, goalie, goalie.." to Tony Godfrey when Knapp was going to head it whatever!

I can still remember one save of his when his arms seemed to suddenly grow an extra 12 inches** to hold a shot heading for his top right hand corner at the Archers Road end (before he was concussed against Derby County in a 6-4 win I think).

Those were the days, when goalies actually caught the ball.

** at first I said "grow an extra foot", but that looked a bit strange!

[Thedelldays]

KD deserves a mention for this season
Beasent Deserves a mention for pure entertainment and toss a coin will he save or not

BUT THERE WAS ONLY 1 FLYING FINN gets the vote due to 2-2 draw at fulham when he saved Dodds back pass from top corner then set up killer to score

ANTTI NIEMI


i do not agree...it is an insult to mention kelvin and shilton/niemi/flowers in the same sentance

[Pancake]

For a short period of time 1968 Gerry Gurr before he got injured.
I prefer Niemi to Shilton because I never saw Niemi make a mistake while Shilton was sometimes went missing at corners.

Surprised no one has mentioned Jonah (the keeper not the Lowe luvvie).:rolleyes:

Fratton Park, relegation season...

[krissyboy31]

i do not agree...it is an insult to mention kelvin and shilton/niemi/flowers in the same sentance

Absolutely, when you look back through our history and all the fantastic keepers we have had, KD is probably one of the poorest long-term first choice keepers we have ever had. But then again the whole team is certainly the poorest since I started going 37 years ago.

[adriansfc]

Kelvin is a much improved (from being very poor) Championship keeper. Comparing him to outstanding top flight keepers is a little silly.

[Travelling Saint]

Flowers will always be my favourite, but best ever has to be Shilton.

[Thedelldays]

Shilton

[Instant Classic]

Shilton

[Thorpe-le-Saint]

1) Niemi

2) Flowers

3) Shilton

[gjphilsaint]

Eric Martin awarded me my Tyro League U10 cup winners medal at Blymont Barracks back in the 70s.

[St Landrew]

I think that's enough nominations, as practically every goalkeeper besides Jim Montgomery [remember him..?] from the 60's to present day, has been mentioned. The nominations now close, and the voting thread will shortly begin, after I've totted up the top nominees.