In Safe Hands

It takes a lot to be in top physical and mental shape and be able to turn up for games week in and week out. Most Premier League sides do end up having a packed match schedule through the season. Add training and possibly injuries to the mix, and that’s a lot for a players body to take. But there does seem to be a select few who seem to have cracked the code and are pushing themselves way beyond the twilight of their careers. 

Some of the best teams in the game have been built around great goalkeepers who have pulled out all the stops when called upon. They are so indispensable to the overall scheme of things that players such as Dino Zoff, Peter Shilton, Peter Schmeichel and Edwin van der Sar have all donned the gloves and taken their spot between the sticks to well beyond the age of 40. In fact the record for the oldest player to ever play in a Premier League match is held by John Burridge who at the ripe age of 43 years and 162 days turned out for Manchester City in May 1995. 

This piece takes a look at some of the oldest goalkeepers in the Premier League who have done well to keep themselves fit and are still out there pushing and defying the odds to still be there in the game. 

Thomas Sorensen, Stoke City (36)

Thomas Sorensen has made quite an impression in the 15 years spent in the Premier League. Through the years he has been the first choice keeper for Sunderland, Aston Villa and Stoke City. Having made over a 100 national appearances, he has done well to fill the boots of the legendary Peter Schmeichel. Weighing his options about a possible move away from Stoke City, age does not seem to be putting the brakes on this Dane.

Kelvin Davis, Southampton (36)

Kelvin Davis has recently signed a deal to keep him at St. Mary’s close to his 40^th birthday. Having spent a good deal of his career outside the Premiership, he is enjoying his second stint among the English elite after having played with Sunderland in the Premier League in the 2005-2006 season. This English keeper has since then stuck with the Saints during their relegation battles and has also seen them through the tough but remarkable promotion battles from League One to the Premiership. 

Shay Given, Aston Villa (36) 

Shay Given may have started his career at Celtic, but it is in the Premier League at Newcastle United where this Irishman made his name as one of the finest goalkeepers in the League. Ambition drove him to break his 12 year association with the Toons, and join Manchester City with whom he won a FA Cup medal. Currently at Aston Villa, he finds himself in the unfamiliar territory of a relegation dogfight. 

Henrique Hilario, Chelsea (37)

This Chelsea keeper has had his share of critics through his seven year stint with the club. His role may have been limited to being cover for the first and second choice keepers at the club, but he has found himself called upon in a starting role from time to time. He has managed to earn himself a one Premiership, a Champions League, a League Cup and four FA Cup medals in the bargain.  

Jussi Jääskeläinen, West Ham United (37)

This Bolton legend spent 15 years at the club establishing himself as one of the finest keepers in the game. Bought by the Trotters for a mere £100,000 in 1997 while still in the Football League First Division, Jääskeläinen thought the time was right to part ways with the club after their relegation from the Premiership last season. He is now first choice keeper at West Ham United.

Steve Harper, Newcastle United (39)

Having dedicated 19 years to the Toons, this Englishman is the longest serving player in the history of Newcastle United. He proved his worth to the club by helping them win promotion back in the Premier League by keeping a record 21 clean sheets in 37 games. Through the years he has made over 250 appearances for the club and has given good competition to the likes of Pavel Srníček, Shaka Hislop, Shay Given and now Tim Krul. 

Mark Schwarzer, Fulham (40)

The Aussie made his Premier League debut with Middlesbrough back in 1996 and has continued to prove his detractors wrong since then. Showing little sign of his abilities fading he has completed 100 caps for country and is aiming to make it to Brazil for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He has just signed a contract extension with Fulham that would keep him at Craven Cottage well beyond his 41st birthday.

Brad Friedel, Tottenham Hotspur (41)

Friedel to this day continues to make much younger players sweat and fight for their place in the team. Having featured for Blackburn Rovers and Aston Villa early in his career, he now dons the colour of Spurs. He currently holds the Premier League record for most consecutive appearances with 310 and thanks his 70 year old mother, who is a physical education teacher, for inspiring him to stay fit and prolong his career.

Mike Pollitt, Wigan Athletic (41)

The oldest keeper of the current lot, Mike Pollitt got his first taste of Premiership action when he became the first signing for Wigan Athletic after promotion in June 2005. First choice keeper for that season his heroics led the Latics to the League Cup Final. Post that one season he has been considered as backup keeper at the DW stadium making rare starts in cup games.