Top Ten: Goal scoring Keepers
You know the scene; that last minute corner in the dying moments of a game, a burly keeper defying his position, by lumbering forward to cause havoc in the opposition’s box. Rarely do they become the unlikeliest of heroes, but when they do; is there a more gratifying or amusing feeling that seeing a goalkeeper score?
They broke the mould when they made this lot...
With the likes of Shilton, Van Der Saar and Brad Friedel, all of whom have a career goal to their name, missing out on our Top 10: Goal scoring Keepers, let us know who you think should be included in this list!
Rogerio Ceni-100 Goals
The inspiration and reason for our list; the 38 year old Brazilian hit his century at the weekend with a stunning free kick that would have David Beckham applauding.
A one club man as a senior pro, he averages one goal every 4.3 games for Sao Paolo and is the regular penalty taker for the club.
He is recognised by FIFA as being the highest goal scoring goalkeeper in history and is only 38 behind Emile Heskey in career total strikes, although could Ceni bring out the best in Rooney...
Jose Luis Chilavert-62 Goals
The eccentric Paraguayan lit up many a game with his animalistic behaviour and was infamously sent off for a brawl with Faustino Asprilla.
As well as being named the World’s Best Goalkeeper three times in his career, he scored 62 goals including a record eight for the national side, and he’s the only stopper to hit a hat-trick which he notched up for Velez Sarsfield in the 6-1 drubbing of Ferro Carril Oeste.
Dimitar Ivankov-42 Goals
Will be a familiar name to Manchester United fans as Ivankov played against the Red Devils for Bursapsor in this season's Champions League and thankfully for Alex Ferguson’s side did not show his goals scoring prowess.
Having spent the first ten years of his professional career at hometown club Levski Sofia, the former Bulgarian international transferred to Turkey to represent Kayserispor before moving onto his current club.
At 35, time may be ticking on his career, but there could well be more goals in the old dog yet.
Charlie Williams-1 Goal
Despite his record being eclipsed by others in the list- Williams makes the cut as he is the first known ‘keeper to have scored a goal and did so while playing for Manchester City in 1900. His long clearance against Sunderland at Roker Park looped over his opposite number and wrote him into the record books. Interestingly this was not the only first in his career; he was also the first goalkeeper to play for Arsenal when he lined up against Newcastle United in 1893... what a man.
Rene Higuita-38 Goals
Described as one of the most unique goalkeepers of all time, the Colombian has given us some memorable moments over the years. His insistence on playing it out from the back cost him dearly in Italia 90 when Roger Miller dispossessed him near the half way line and scored the goal that sent Cameroon through. However El Loco will go down in history for the infamous scorpion kick against England at Wembley in 1995 which ranked at number 94 in the 100 Greatest Sporting Moments.
Jorge Campos- 38 Goals
Measuring in at just 5ft 6in, Campos went onto to represent Mexico 129 times and with it became the shortest goalkeeper to reach such a level. However the colourful ‘keeper’s ability was not limited to shot stopping and he would often finish the game he was playing in the centre forward role.
His acrobatic style made him a crowd pleaser and he was one of first goalies to don the short sleeve jersey.
Jimmy Glass-1 Goal
Although he only managed one goal in his career, it’s probably the most important ever scored by a goalie as his last minute effort saved Carlisle from dropping out of the league. But don’t take our word for it- here’s the commentary from local commentator Derek Lacey: “Carlisle United goalkeeper Jimmy Glass is coming up for the kick – everyone is going up... there isn’t one player in the Carlisle half! Well, well... and the corner kick comes in... and... the goalkeeper’s punch... oh... Jimmy Glass! Jimmy Glass! Jimmy Glass, the goalkeeper, has scored a goal for Carlisle United! There’s a pitch invasion! There is a pitch invasion! The referee has been swamped – they’re bouncing on the crossbar!”
Peter Schmeichel-13 Goals
The Great Dane produced some of the most memorable saves in the English top flight and is widely considered as the greatest goalkeeper of his generation. Schmeichel holds the record of being the first stopper to score in the Premier League when he bagged Aston Villa’s second goal in a 3-2 defeat at Everton. The Danish International had previously netted for Manchester United in Uefa Cup clash against Russian side Rotor Volgograd United and although it drew his side level they were still eliminated on the away goals rule.
Here is a disallowed effort from the Great Dane...
Hans Jorg Butt-32 Goals
The Bayern Munich goalkeeper is well travelled around the Bundesliga and along with his current club has represented Leverkusen, Hamburger SV and VFB Oldenburg. During this time he’s hit the back of the net 32 times including an impressive 9 in 35 appearances in the 1999-2000 season with Hamburg. His last goal came back in 2007 and despite being an expert penalty taker- with Ribery, Gomez and Schweinsteiger ahead of him at the Allianz the chance of taking one looks unlikely.
Johnny Martín Vegas Fernández-37 Goals
The Peruvian is currently five in the all time Goalkeeper scoring list with 29 of his goals coming from the penalty spot. Having spent his entire career in his homeland, where he still plays for Cienciano, Fernandez also won 3 caps at national level although he could not transfer his club goals to country. May not be remembered for as long as other keepers on the list but his goal and appearance record are not something to be sniffed at.
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