There are some quirks in football that unite all fans of the game: A pitch invader getting cleaned out by a chasing steward, managers being caught unable to work everyday items like coat pockets, and of course Vivianne Miedema having any interaction with a 360 degree camera.
But arguably above all of those, and particularly dear to us in the football shirt community, is that moment when an outfielder ends up in goal. We were treated to such an event last weekend, when Brighton’s Lewis Dunk ended up in goal after Robert Sanchez got a late red card against Newcastle.
It got us at FSC thinking about previous examples of such events, and with your help we put together a list of our favourite outfielders as goalkeepers.
🚨 Outfield player in goalie shirt - who did we miss? pic.twitter.com/STPctGGbk3
— Football Shirt Collective (@thefootballsc) November 6, 2021
Premier League outfield players going in goal
If we are lucky, we usually only get this once a season in the Premier League, with past seasons seeing the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Harry Kane and Tom Huddlestone in nets.
Rio Ferdinand
— Vince Murray (@PompeyVin) November 6, 2021
Harry Kane
— HopSpur™️ (@hop_spur) November 6, 2021
Tom Huddlestone
Tom Huddlestone pic.twitter.com/15Dtwr4FSP
— Rich Walker (@bigbadwalks) November 7, 2021
Outfield players going in goal
It takes a certain personality to step up and be that player who goes in goals, and perhaps that is why we see so many ‘cult status’ players step up to take the gloves in these situations. Vinnie Jones, Robbie Savage and John O’Shea have been amongst that particular group.
Niall Quinn going in goal for Sunderland
In a much-talked-about moment, Irish forward Niall Quinn donned the goalkeeper kit during a clash for Sunderland, stepping up as an emergency 'keeper' in that magnificent shirt.
Vinnie Jones in goal for Wimbledon
Hard‑man Jones surprised fans by stepping into goal for Wimbledon in a moment of necessity, wearing that sick shirt with ELONEX sponsor.
Browse our collection of Wimbledon football shirts here..
John O’Shea
— Conor Hawkins (@ConorHawkins4) November 6, 2021
Robbie Savage
— Paul Limbert (@PaulLimbert) November 6, 2021
Bobby Moore & Julian Dicks
Bobby Moore & Julian Dicks pic.twitter.com/dNFCP5UgrH
— Mick Clifford (@icwhs) November 6, 2021
Europe
On the continent, there has been no shortage of players stepping up to replace their goalkeeper either. Special mention here to Felipe Melo, who actually saved a penalty while in goal for Galatasaray.
Nicolas De Preville
And Nicolas De Préville for LOSC in 2017. In fact, two Lille players had to play in goal in that game as Ibrahim Amadou replaced him later in that match! pic.twitter.com/WvKrDEPg7P
— Hugodzilla (@hugo78370) November 6, 2021
Mamadou Sakho
Mamadou Sakho for PSG in 2013 pic.twitter.com/0cFg43OmH2
— Hugodzilla (@hugo78370) November 6, 2021
Dani Alves
dani alves pic.twitter.com/517ZdJUZKB
— J'SUIS DU QUARTIER OUEST🇮🇹 (@Beca1899) November 7, 2021
Felipe Melo
Felipe Melo! Even managed to save a penalty and then got himself in the FUT TOTW! pic.twitter.com/2J2Z3TAZ2y
— 🄰🄰🅁🄾🄽 🄼🄲🄸🄻🄳🄾🄾🄽 (@aaronmcildoon) November 7, 2021
Rest of the World
If you are looking for the best example of an outfielder in goal, look no further than River Plate’s Enzo Pérez. Back in May, River Plate went into a Copa Libertadores game hit by injuries and a COVID-19 outbreak that left them with only 11 fit players - and no goalkeepers. Pérez - a midfielder - started the match in goal, and helped his team to a stunning 2-1 victory.
Enzo Pérez
Enzo Pérez vs Santa Fe pic.twitter.com/JHhOslreqT
— Fede Dannemann (@fededannemann) November 6, 2021
Are there any examples of outfielders as goalkeepers that we missed out? Let us know in the comments below!
We've added a stunning GK shirt to our store that would make any outfielder want to go in goal. Pick-up the Buffon-inspired Parma 2021-22 GK shirt here.
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