Top 25 North goalkeepers

Jul 17 2011 by Mark Douglas, Sunday Sun

OF all the categories covered in this mammoth exercise, picking the top managers and goalies has undoubtedly proved the toughest.

Not only did they provide the most difficult calls at the top (how to choose between the man responsible for the greatest FA Cup moment in North East history and the last boss to conquer Europe), but they also provided a unique challenge further down the list.

For while thousands of defenders, midfielders and strikers have plied their trade on our patch, only a select few have occupied these two specialist positions. That meant we had to narrow the field to 25 apiece, and allowed for some left field, although still deserving, candidates.

When it comes to ‘keepers, we’ve had some of the very, very best. And the fact two of these greats could be in goal for Sunderland and Newcastle United come the start of the season should reassure us that our teams remain in safe hands.

25: Shaka Hislop (Newcastle 95-98, 53)

Hislop spent much of his Toon career battling with Pavel Srnicek for the number one jersey but when he did play, he let few people down.

In an Entertainers era when attacking was to the fore he was the last line of defence and that meant clean sheets were at a premium.

But his reflexes and agility also meant he pulled off some world class saves for Newcastle.

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