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

12 January 2026
The first update of the year sees Spain's José Ángel Iribar and England's Jack Robinson join the pantheon of Goalkeeping Greats on the suggestion of two of our social media followers! On top of that, there’s the usual mix of pub-quiz-worthy trivia, including the day Pele bought a goalie, the keeper who was signed for a set of football kits, Uganda using all three goalkeepers at the AFCON and Paul Cooper’s Villa Park curse. There’s also some more Sporting Masters, the Icelandic goalkeeper who turned to crime and some Words of Wisdom from the likes of Bob Wilson and others. Enjoy!

Goalkeeping Greats, Quirky Facts, I Fought the Law, Words of Wisdom

29 December 2025
The last update of the year arrives just before Big Ben strikes twelve and includes the latest winners of the IFFHS' World's Best Goalkeeper of the Year, some quirky coincidences and a pair of goalkeepers who were hit for four on their debuts. There's also a collection of goalkeeping families, the keeper who put himself out of action reaching for something in his fridge and the goalie who was put out of action by a stray hockey ball. There's also the sad tale of the keeper who died after saving a penalty in the lower leagues of Belgian football.

Quirky Facts, Goalkeeping Debuts, Quirky Injuries, Getting Personal

23 November 2025
A sneaky update as we move into the Festive season, with only two mentions of Christmas. Read all about the goalkeeper who headed up the counterintelligence operations for the White Russians following the Russian Revolution, the Manchester City goalkeeper felled by a bottle of wine at Anfield on Boxing Day and the goalie who was fatally injured during a Christmas day clash. There's also a couple of quirky coincidences including the strange bookends of Ray Clemence's international career, Craig Gordon's record breaking antics with Scotland and the keeper who was a trained locksmith. There's also another batch of goalkeeper quotes,where varioud custodians share their words of widsom.

Quirky Facts, Quirky Injuries, Politically Speaking, Words of Wisdom

28 October 2025
A pre-Halloween update with many frightening tales of goalkeeping horrors etc that features the Milan goalkeeper who was ruled out of action after an accident in his hotel room, the German international who injured himself celebrating a goal, the Swedish goalkeeper who tried to move the goalposts (literally) and the Argentina goalkeeper with a fondness for the number 23. If that wasn't enough, there's also the tales of three goalkeepers who took up acting after hanging up their gloves, including the former body builder who became something of a minor Hollywood action figure in supporting roles.

Getting Shirty, Quirky Injuries, In the Net, Cultural Pursuits

16 September 2025
A mid-September update that nobody asked for but one you're getting anyway that sees both Vladimir Beara and Walter Zenga join the ranks of the Goalkeeping Greats! There's also the Spain international who spent five days in prison after hitting a fan, the Genoa keeper charged with an on-field assault and the striker who came off the bench to keep goal for his side. There's also the superstitious Liverpool goalkeeper, some more nicknames, the keeper with two rugby-playing brothers (albeit of different codes) and some more goalkeeper-related quotes to enjoy.

Goalkeeping Greats, Getting Personal, I Fought the Law, Emergency Measures, Words of Wisdom

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

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"Excellent" - Guardian Unlimited

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