There are some players who, for reasons that aren’t wholly apparent, become firm fan favourites – David Seaman isn’t one of those. It’s all too apparent why this goalkeeper was one of Arsenal fans’ favourite players, and why he continues to be remembered fondly.
One of the premier league’s best ever goalkeepers – and one of the world’s best goalkeepers – in his prime David Seaman was instantly recognisable because of his unusually long hair in the world of well-kept footballers. Though he cut it off for charity in 2005, in a weird twist, Seaman admitted in earlier this year that he still keeps his iconic ponytail in a drawer at home!
Known as ‘safe hands’, Seaman is now a regular on the speaking circuit, and appears at events of all kinds to talk about his dazzling career and share anecdotes about his time at Arsenal during one of the club’s most successful periods.
The Yorkshireman is also available as a motivational speaker; the unusual age to which he played professional football gives him an unusual insight into the value of perseverance and hard work. The impressive standing which he holds in the eyes of many football fans also makes his an authoritative voice – keep reading to find out why.
Early life
David Seaman grew up in Rotherham, a town in the West Riding of Yorkshire, and began his career playing for Leeds United, the team which he had always supported. It must have come as a shock, then, when Manager Eddie Gray sent him to Peterborough shortly afterwards – the then manager had been Seaman’s favourite player as a child.
After spells with Birmingham City and Queen’s Park Rangers, Seaman was eventually transferred to Arsenal in 1990, after a series of complex negotiations and a transfer fee of £1.3 million – at the time, a British record for a goalkeeper.
Time with Arsenal
When Seaman joined Arsenal, they were very much on the up and up – and his time with the club coincided with one of the most successful periods in history for the team.
During his first season at Arsenal, Seaman conceded just 19 goals in the 38 matches of the league, and the club claimed the title in May of that year. Over the next couple of years the team, with Seaman as a crucial member, won silverware in the form of the FA Cup, League Cup and European Cup Winners’ Cup.
The lucky streak that Arsenal was on continued with Arsene Wener’s recruitment as manager, and under him the team was more or less unstoppable, thanks in part to Seaman’s goalkeeping.
Retirement
David Seaman’s career was ended eventually by the niggling injuries which bothered him for much of the latter years of his time with Arsenal. To this day he is considered one of Arsenal and one of England’s best ever goalkeepers, and since leaving football Seaman has continued to appear in the public eye. David is particularly popular as an after dinner speaker, along with many other ex-Arsenal legends (if you want to book him for a special evening contact his agents MN2S). He has also appeared on TV shows such as Strictly Come Dancing and Dancing on Ice.