Everything you've ever wanted to know about
goalkeepers and a little bit more

15 February 2019
Manchester United and Northern Ireland goalkeeper Harry Gregg is the latest addition to the Goalkeeping Greats Hall of Fame but the former World Cup Golden Glove winner also makes an appearance in Quirky Debuts alongside the Russian goalkeeper who conceded NINE in his first professional match and the Croatian 16-year-old who saved a penalty. There's also some more outfield players who had to take over the goalkeeper jersey for varying reasons and the Norwegian who almost had a chunck taken out of him by an opposition defender with a little bite...

Goalkeeping Greats, Goalkeeping Debuts, Quirky Injuries, Emergency Measures

12 February 2019
Goalkeepers Are Different is saddened to learn of the passing of legendary England goalkeeper Gordon Banks. Banks features throughout the site, with tales of his early glove purchases and his debut in non-league football to the many quotes by and about him. When we put together our initial list of Goalkeeping Greats, Banks was the first keeper listed. A true great and a gentleman to boot.

Goalkeeping Greats, Hands In Gloves, Goalkeeping Debuts, Words of Wisdom

2 February 2019
Before goalkeeper gloves became a must have piece of equipment for custodians everywhere, keepers used to go to all sort of lengths to gain an edge during games. Experiments including using gum in the palm of the hands and trying out different types of gardening gloves but Norrköping and Sweden goalkeeper Bengt Nyholm went that extra mile by dabbing his hands in a certain high street product. There's also the tale of the goalkeeper that allegedly collected clocks, the singing goalkeeper from Iran, some more goalscoring goalkeepers and a couple of quotes including one from the Queen!

Quirky Facts, Hands In Gloves, Goalscoring Goalkeepers, Words of Wisdom

19 January 2019
A small, cheeky update that focuses on a couple of goalkeepers who decided to uphold the law, one of whom during a career break, Perry Suckling's winning debut at the tender age of sixteen for Coventry City and some other less fortunate keepers whose debuts didn't go quite so well. There's also a couple more superstitious keepers, some more quirky middle names and the Congolese goalkeeper enjoying the political life in Africa.

Goalkeeping Debuts, Getting Personal, I Fought the Law, Politically Speaking

5 January 2019
The first update of the year features the remarkable footballing dynasty of Barbados that could easily have fielded a five-a-side team and still have three substitutes plus some more quirky middle names and nicknames. There's also the former Leyton Orient goalkeeper who was arrested in the team dressing room after a game for punching a fan, three goalkeepers with lenghty international careers, some cricketeers who excelled in goal and a trio of keepers that got their names onto the scoresheet.

Quirky Facts, Goalscoring Goalkeepers, Getting Personal, I Fought the Law

27 December 2018
A belated Christmas present in the shape of probably the last update of 2018 is a distinctly non-festive mix of quirky goalkeeping injuries including the keeper that lost an eye down a coal pit, some unfortunate goalkeeping debuts and a collection of keepers who were also a dab hand at other sports. There's also the Scottish keeper that licked to keep a radio in the back of his net and the strange tale of the goalposts that were given a touch of paint in order to appeal to female spectators.

Quirky Facts, Goalkeeping Debuts, Quirky Injuries, In The Net, Getting Personal

Goalkeepersaredifferent.com came to life in the summer of 1999. A treasure trove of goalkeeper facts, trivia and a whole lot more, it has kept football fans and goalkeepers alike amused and entertained with its collection of goalie titbits ever since. But don't just take our word for it...

"Educational and charming" - Oliver Kahn

"Excellent and well-written" - When Saturday Comes

"Excellent" - Guardian Unlimited

"Goalkeepers are the drummers of football... Great quirky facts, a great website" - Website Wasteland, The Gideon Coe Show, BBC Radio6 Music