Athletic, elegant and decisive goalkeeper for England, Liverpool and SpursIt says much about the outstanding ability of Ray Clemence, who has died aged 72 after suffering from prostate cancer, that he was able to amass 61 caps for England during an era in which he was vying for his place against Gordon Banks and Peter Shilton, the two best England goalkeepers of all time. Succeeding Banks between the posts in 1972, Clemence battled with Shilton for the keeper’s jersey for much of the 1970s until his slightly younger rival achieved ascendancy.
However, while Clemence’s years with England brought much acclaim, it was his career in the domestic game that delivered the glory. As the last line of defence in the great Liverpool sides of the 70s he won three European Cups, five First Division championships, two Uefa Cups, an FA Cup and a League Cup before a move to Tottenham in the early 80s added FA Cup and Uefa Cup winners medals to that tally. He then became a member of the Spurs backroom staff and subsequently enjoyed a long tenure as England’s goalkeeping coach.
Continue reading...

More...