Best City Keeper?

[Guest SCANTS-CTID]

When i first came to Ashton gate, we had Adriano Basso in goal and he was a brilliant goal keeper, made some vital saves and was a fans favourite, David James wasn't one of the best, tom heaton was also a very good keeper. In recent years(10years) who do you think has been a good keeper as our number one?

[formerly known as ivan]

Keith Welch will always be a favourite of mine.

[Port Said Red]

Jan Moller

[EmersonsKev]

Keith Welch has always been my fave, however their will always be a place for Billy Mercer probably triffic's only decent signing but still a sick note none the less. I remember him fighting for a couple of seasons at the beginning of the naughties to regain any kind of fitness before calling it a day.

Does my memory serve me correctly that he did a halftime draw in that period and we gave him such an ovation that he he broke down and cried?

[MichaelRobartes]

Keith Welch is the best keeper we've had in my time. I think Heaton is the best of the last ten years or so. Shame he had such a poor team in front of him.

[Vincent Vega]

Basso in the last 10 years.Overall John Shaw

[MichaelRobartes]

Keith Welch has always been my fave, however their will always be a place for Billy Mercer probably triffic's only decent signing but still a sick note none the less. I remember him fighting for a couple of seasons at the beginning of the naughties to regain any kind of fitness before calling it a day.

Does my memory serve me correctly that he did a halftime draw in that period and we gave him such an ovation that he he broke down and cried?

Forgot about Billy! He was good, such a shame about his injuries. I seem to remember that he wore number 2 when he first signed as well.

[Big Red Rich]

Bo Anderson for me.......

[westonred]

_{One of my Favs only played 8 times for us on loan from QPR in 1994 Sieb Dijkstra a mountain of a man at 6'5 on his debut he came out to catch the ball from a corner and knocked over 4 of the opposition playings in doing so, he was a beast.}

_{Really wished we could have kept him}

[thatchersgold]

LOVED A BIT OF BILLY MERCER WAS TOP GOALY. SHAME ABOUT THE INJURIES

[MattWSM]

Ronnie Sinclair

[And Its Smith]

Ronnie Sinclair

Yep

[Steve Watts]

Last 10 years, I'd say Heaton was the best, Basso my favourite.

 

My all time top 5 keepers in my time watching the City though would be:

 

1. Keith Waugh
2. Billy Mercer
3. Keith Welch
4. Ronnie Sinclair
5. Tom Heaton

Loved Waughy....especially remember his double wonder save in the League Cup semi against Forest at the Gate.  At the time I'd never seen a keeper move so fast after making a save.

[Fordy62]

There's only one choice for me. The only City keeper to never concede a goal...

 

Stefan Maierhofer

[Guest moonovertoongabbie]

Gibbo still the best. Basso pretty close behind. Had Moller stayed around, who knows where we would have gone? Then an unbelievable season by Cash, 75/76, (Carlisle away anyone)? Deflected shot from Beardsley as I recall, all home players & many home fans applauded. Season ended ok as well! Never forget Welch doing a Grobbelar on us at Bradford during Benny's first game.

[Jesus]

Keith Welch and Billy Mercer

[BS4 on Tour...]

John Shaw and Ray Cashley.

Think Billy Mercer would have been amazing but for his injury.

Some entertaining ones on loan too! Sieb Dykstra, Ian Leigh and Timmy Carter - at least I can chuckle now!

[EmersonsKev]

Forgot about Billy! He was good, such a shame about his injuries. I seem to remember that he wore number 2 when he first signed as well.

Bang on, he wore the number 2 shirt against Stoke in the Auto windscreens final Wembley, confused the commentators no end.

The noise of Delilah ringing out from the Stokies still makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.

[alandicks]

Ray Cashley. Even scored a goal against Hull City.

First keeper I ever saw was Mike Gibson and he wasn't bad.

[hooered]

1.   Mike Gibson

 

2   Ray Cashley

 

3   Keith Welch

[Enoch]

Has to be Basso in my time of watching city (10 years)

[richwwtk]

Last 10 years, I'd say Heaton was the best, Basso my favourite.

 

My all time top 5 keepers in my time watching the City though would be:

 

1. Keith Waugh
2. Billy Mercer
3. Keith Welch
4. Ronnie Sinclair
5. Tom Heaton

Loved Waughy....especially remember his double wonder save in the League Cup semi against Forest at the Gate.  At the time I'd never seen a keeper move so fast after making a save.

 

There are times when I think Keith Waugh is criminally overlooked every time a best City goalkeeper thread comes up. Always been my favourite.

[redsince1994]

In my time watching City, Tom Heaton is probably the best keeper but Basso was by far my favourite.

[Strawberry2157.]

Keith Waugh for me too. Liked Welshy too.

[Marina's Rolls Royce]

Frank Fielding

[Red-Robbo]

Cashley, Welch, Basso

[You Do The Dziekanowski]

In my time it has to be flapper

[HoldenBall]

Basso best we've had for a long time.

[ashton_fan]

The best keeper I've seen play for us was Swedish International Jan Moller, he wasn't with us all that long but made 48 appearances when Bob Houghton/Roy Hodgson were manager. Although that was one of our least successful periods we didn't let in many goals because of our star keeper. He was tall and very agile, commanding in his box and totally unflappable gaining 17 international caps. I've seen all the others on this post but I'd choose him over all of them.

 

My second choice would be Basso because of his brilliant temperament, if he made a mistake it was forgotten in an instant.

[zyderiup]

Andy Leaning although I was Ronnie Sinclair when playing over the park as a lad. All because of his heroic crash into the post vs Chelsea.

 

Welch was frustrating. One of those where a shot that seemed easy enough to catch or parry had to be tipped over the bar for the cameras!

[CotswoldRed]

I'm going with Welch.

 

Always liked Andy Leaning but he did have a penchant for letting a few too many slip past.

[Northern Red]

Bo Anderson for me.......

 

The next Schmeichel....

[EmersonsKev]

The next Schmeichel....

He was though! However we were not informed it was the dog Schmichel from Corrie.

[exiledinwatford]

The OP said 10 years. If you judge a keeper on the level playing now then Heaton (Burnley Prem) then Deano (Ipswich Champ) would have to be the best assuming both are better than anyone currently at AG. I would guess that if Basso had been 10 years younger he would have achieved his move to a higher level.

 

If you judge by career achievement then buying the current England keeper James would have to figure.

 

Best keeper for City in my lifetime? The legend Gibbo.

[wendyredredrobin]

Always felt safe with Gibbo in goal, though his lack of height was a disadvantage.  He still claimed crosses well.

 

Cashley was a good bloke and OK in division 2, but when we got promoted, the other teams found his weakness as he would just stand and watch a hard shot from distance shoot into the net without moving.

 

For me, the best was John Shaw, though Jan Moller was pretty good too, but was not with us for very long.

 

Who was the worst though?

[alexukhc]

Liam Fontaine

[wendyredredrobin]

Don't think anyone has mentioned our England international keeper David James.

 

Edit - sorry, yes he was mentioned.

[IdliketoRogerMoore]

Bang on, he wore the number 2 shirt against Stoke in the Auto windscreens final Wembley, confused the commentators no end.

The noise of Delilah ringing out from the Stokies still makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.

i remember before the game each team got to pick a song to be played over the tannoy stoke naturally picked Delilah and some absolute knob picked hi ho silver lining!

[alexukhc]

Brian Tinnion

['Orns]

Sinclair, for quite a small bloke was a great goalkeeper

Mercer would've been fantastic, if only we'd signed him 4 or 5 years before. Didn't he wear number 2 in his first season at the club?

[22A]

Ray Cashley. Even scored a goal against Hull City.

First keeper I ever saw was Mike Gibson and he wasn't bad.

Snap! MG was the first goalie I saw and wondered how we'd ever replace him. I just didn't rate RC when he came in, but he grew into the role.

Gibson was signed from Shrewsbury despite John Atyeo frequently scoring past him. Cardiff hit three past Mike when he played for City and he still won Man of the Match as everyone (City & Cardiff) agreed he was the best player on the pitch. Peter Godsiff referred to him as chunky and fearless.

Going back to the late forties, City hit eight past Dartmouth in a Cup game, then signed their goalie because our then Manager reckoned he was better than the one we had. In the fifties Tony Cook was both good & bad in spells, so I believe Anderson(?) was signed from the gas.

In the late eighties, Keith Waugh was a useful goalie. After our run to the League Cup semi final he was signed by Coventry to be their reserve keeper.

Andy Leaning was a useful goalie. When Steve Phillips took over in goal I was assured he wasn't the finished article, but like Ray Cashley he developed. As has been posted Adriano B also impressed.

[22A]

Brian Tinnion

Only let in one goal every two games didn't he.

Another useful stand in goalie was John Galley. Took over when Cashley was injured v Millwall in a 2-2 draw.

[Alex#40]

Technically Mercer was the best I've seen down here, terrible injury stopped him being a potential hero down here.

 

Undoubtedly though Basso is the best overall keeper I've seen in my time for a number of reasons.

[Guest bristol south end]

John Shaw was my favorite.  Before and after boldness.

[lost black rat]

Sieb Dijkstra 

Never have I seen a keeper dominate the box as Dijkstra did if the ball was in the box it was his . If, you got in the way you would have been hit by a 6ft 5 steam train home or away players good shot stopper to.

[BristolNorthEndRed]

Last ten years - None. My favourires are:-

 

1/Mike GIBSON

2/Ray CASHLEY

3/Keith WELCH

4/John SHAW

 

 

 

 

[richwwtk]

i remember before the game each team got to pick a song to be played over the tannoy stoke naturally picked Delilah and some absolute knob picked hi ho silver lining!

 No idea of his name but that would be our 'Commercial Director' or somesuch at the time, one of the biggest bellends ever to be associated with City.

 

He approached the football league before that game to ask that, if we won, could the trophy please be presented to our mascot (city Cat at the time I think), rather than the captain as this would be more 'family friendly'.

 

The suggestion was rightly laughed out of the door

[Br 1st ol]

Roll the ball out....Pruuuudoe.

[Peter O Hanraha-hanrahan]

Keith Waugh was in goal when I first started watching City, Ronnie Sinclair is definitely one of my favourites as is Keith Welch.

Phillips was ok, Basso was better. I liked Heaton.

Overall Sinclair for me.

[City Rocker]

 No idea of his name but that would be our 'Commercial Director' or somesuch at the time, one of the biggest bellends ever to be associated with City.

 

He approached the football league before that game to ask that, if we won, could the trophy please be presented to our mascot (city Cat at the time I think), rather than the captain as this would be more 'family friendly'.

 

The suggestion was rightly laughed out of the door

 

Richard Gould?

[Br 1st ol]

Richard Gould?

You may mock, but Richard Gould is now CEO at Surrey CC and favourite for the CEO role at ECB.

There aren't many that leave AG for better futures. (Hodgson, Mcclaren, Moyes, Cole, Caulker, Rose, excepted)

[BCFC_Dan]

 No idea of his name but that would be our 'Commercial Director' or somesuch at the time, one of the biggest bellends ever to be associated with City.

 

He approached the football league before that game to ask that, if we won, could the trophy please be presented to our mascot (city Cat at the time I think), rather than the captain as this would be more 'family friendly'.

 

The suggestion was rightly laughed out of the door

 

I think it was this modest chap: http://www.sportspromedia.com/notes_and_insights/soccers_new_leader/

 

The Bristol City part of his extensive career comes a little over halfway down, by the second picture. Turns out he was then "wooed" away by the FA, which I imagine was much like when Portsmouth poached Tony Pulis from us.

[Swede]

Basso is the best keeper we've ever had without a doubt.

 

Jan Moller runs him close as he was so imposing.

 

Of the rest, John Shaw was very good and should have played for Scotland. Tom Heaton was an extremely good keeper and worthy of a mention as is the much maligned David James, there's not many keepers who can say they've saved two penalties in a match as James did at Reading.

[BCFC Jordan]

Basso probably edges it because he was in a far better team, closely followed by Tom Heaton.

[NVMal]

Don't think anyone has mentioned our England international keeper David James.

 

Edit - sorry, yes he was mentioned.

 

We're talking about the best. See other thread for the worst keeper, where James will feature more prominently.

[Swede]

I forgot to mention Billy Mercer who would have been the best keeper had it not been for a career ending injury.

[handsofclay]

Best City keeper I seen at Ashton Gate was Kevin Keelan of Norwich City. Remember once in a top flight game we went 3-0 up after about 15 mins. Keelan then badly injured his hand, remained in goal and stopped everything thereafter with his feet. Despite numerous attempts we couldn't add to the tally and if memory serves we gave him a standing ovation at the end of the game. Also seen him perform brilliantly in several games before that.

The best Bristol City goalkeepers I have seen have all been mentioned, Gibson, Miller, Waugh, Welch, Basso etc. But one who has slipped the net is Len Bond. I remember he was chosen to keep goal in the South West heats of the young penalty taker of the year challenge on Saturday lunchtime ITV prog On the Ball hosted by Brian Moore and the fact nobody in that heat reached the final shows what a great keeper he was (or how bad the pen takers were in our heat). I recall he played a couple of games for us in the top flight before he got injured in a game at Aston Villa. Then I think he went to Exeter.

Coincidentally, in the 1980s when I lived in Whitchurch Mike Gibson knocked on my door one day with a parcel in his hands. I was just recovering from that shock when Ray Cashley knocked on my door one evening later that same week selling scratchcards for Weston super Mare F.C.

[Guest S. Bristol Born & Red]

Jan Moller was the best i've seen during my time supporting City

[Aaron-Bcfc]

Basso, had we gone up in 08 I think he would've been seen as one of the best in the Premier League. Like Marshall with Cardiff last year, always been a top keeper but as soon as they reach Prem pundits take notice

[Aizoon]

Tony Cook was certainly the biggest drinker ever to keep goal for City

 

For me, it's a toss-up between Mike Gibson and Adriano Basso. Hard to imagine two more different keepers, but both superb at the job.

[6hobbsy66]

Jan Moller was the best keeper I've seen in my years supporting city and he was huge.

[wendyredredrobin]

Best City keeper I seen at Ashton Gate was Kevin Keelan of Norwich City. Remember once in a top flight game we went 3-0 up after about 15 mins. Keelan then badly injured his hand, remained in goal and stopped everything thereafter with his feet. Despite numerous attempts we couldn't add to the tally and if memory serves we gave him a standing ovation at the end of the game. Also seen him perform brilliantly in several games before that.

The best Bristol City goalkeepers I have seen have all been mentioned, Gibson, Miller, Waugh, Welch, Basso etc. But one who has slipped the net is Len Bond. I remember he was chosen to keep goal in the South West heats of the young penalty taker of the year challenge on Saturday lunchtime ITV prog On the Ball hosted by Brian Moore and the fact nobody in that heat reached the final shows what a great keeper he was (or how bad the pen takers were in our heat). I recall he played a couple of games for us in the top flight before he got injured in a game at Aston Villa. Then I think he went to Exeter.

Coincidentally, in the 1980s when I lived in Whitchurch Mike Gibson knocked on my door one day with a parcel in his hands. I was just recovering from that shock when Ray Cashley knocked on my door one evening later that same week selling scratchcards for Weston super Mare F.C.

 

Remember him well - he always played a blinder against us for Norwich.  Always, not once in a while, it was every season.

[22A]

Gibson & Cashley both saved penalties on their debuts.

[Talk Of The Town]

Keith Waugh was in goal when I first started watching City, Ronnie Sinclair is definitely one of my favourites as is Keith Welch.

Phillips was ok, Basso was better. I liked Heaton.

Overall Sinclair for me.

Ronnie Sinclair pretty much a number 2 throughout his career. Played 40 odd games for us and 232 apperences in an 18 year career.

Strange choice for me. Imo

[foghornred]

Billy Mercer played one full season and won player of the season,number one for me.

[redsquirrel]

basso for me,i can remember bond,cashley,shaw etc but dont recall any outstanding saves. basso was good at most things,such a shame his boots got too big, (or should that be small ???)

[Big Red Rich]

Basso, had we gone up in 08 I think he would've been seen as one of the best in the Premier League. Like Marshall with Cardiff last year, always been a top keeper but as soon as they reach Prem pundits take notice

I've got to disagree, had we gone up he would have been found out for the clown he was. You never see Marshall make the sort of mistakes that Basso made, his athletic saves were evened out by his clown like antics.

[Peter O Hanraha-hanrahan]

Ronnie Sinclair pretty much a number 2 throughout his career. Played 40 odd games for us and 232 apperences in an 18 year career.

Strange choice for me. Imo

Perhaps my choice is influenced by nostalgia, he was the keeper we had the season I was first allowed to go to the Gate with my mates so would've only been 11 or 12. I thought he was a pretty decent keeper plus i dont really care about 'career stats' if Im honest. Not necessarily the best but my favourite.

[Rich]

Without doubt, Moller was our best keeper during my time, unfortunately we saw too little of him and his time here was in a relegation bound team. I'm absolutely sure he would have become a legend.

Basso was great and his positivity rubbed off on the team but, he was in a good team, not one travelling downwards, there's a big difference to peoples perception of abilities. Mollers credentials were good.

[Lew-T]

Tom Heaton for me. Top keeper!

Basso was a favourite though.