Young at Hart
Tuesday, 03 June, 2008
Joe Hart's debut against Trinidad and Tobago makes him one of England's youngest-ever goalkeepers.
Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart was a second-half substitute for David James in England's friendly with Trinidad & Tobago on Sunday.
It was Joe's debut for the England senior team after 12 appearances at Under-21 level and clearly he must be one of England's youngest 'keepers.
He was 21 years 43 days old when he donned the gloves in Port of Spain at the weekend, which makes him almost a month younger than the legendary Peter Shilton when he made his senior debut.
Shilts' fantastic England career started with a Wembley friendly against East Germany in 1970, lasted for 20 years and left him with a record 125 caps.
But Joe Hart is only seventh in the all-time list of youngest England goalkeepers. The youngest ever is Billy Moon of Old Westminsters, who won his first cap against Wales in 1888 when he was 19 years 222 days old. England won 5-1 at Crewe.
Described as "resourceful, confident, courageous and quick with hands and feet", the talented Billy also played County cricket for Middlesex.
Here are the top ten youngest England goalies
- Billy Moon v Wales in 1888 (19 years, 222 days)
- WJ Maynard v Scotland in 1872 (19 years, 257 days)
- Rupert Anderson v Wales in 1879 (19 years, 264 days)
- Alan Hodgkinson v Scotland in 1957 (20 years,172 days)
- RG "Tim" Williamson v Ireland in 1905 (20 years, 264 days)
- John Sands v Wales in 1880* (21 years, 11 days)
- Joe Hart v Trinidad & Tobago in 2008 (21 years, 43 days)
- HA Swepstone v Scotland in 1880 (21 years, 59 days)
- John Rawlinson v Ireland in 1882 (21 years. 59 days)
- Peter Shilton v East Germany in 1970 (21 years, 68 days)
*John Sands may have been younger, perhaps 20