Nigel Martyn

A fantastic keeper - confident and commanding - who almost single-handedly kept Leeds up in the 96-97 season. He committed a couple of howlers in 97-98 season - notably charging off his line and giving Newcastle an empty net to aim for - and his kicking wasn't wonderful, but he was justifiably regarded as England's number 2 keeper behind ex-Leeds player David Seaman.

Although Nigel picked up a rib injury which kept him out of a couple of games, he had another good season in 98-99, and Leeds had one of the most parsimonious defences in the league. With David Seaman injured, his England chances were looking better.

Voted into the Premier League Team of the Year 2000 by his fellow professionals, Nige remained second choice England keeper behind David Seaman - and when he finally got his big chance against Romania in Euro 2000, he made some great saves, but a combination of an uncertain defence and Nige's occasional rush of blood played some part in the infamous 2-3 defeat.

In 2000-01, he suffered a long absence due to a groin injury, and saw just what a battle he will have to keep his place ahead of Paul Robinson in the next couple of years. However, he returned with his shot-stopping as good as ever, although he did seem a bit more tentative with his kicking, and played a major part in the latter half of Leeds' Champions League campaign.

In 2002, he recovered some confidence in his kicking and his overall game is back to its best. He was picked by England for the World Cup squad, but the return to fitness of David Seaman left him on the sidelines. After all that largely pointless travelling he was reluctant to go on Leeds' commercially-driven tour of the Far East for the pre-season and when the squad returned he found that Paul Robinson had done enough to convince new manager Terry Venables that he was the one who would start between the sticks for the new season and has remained on the bench since.

In summer 2003, Peter Reid made it clear - once the player finally decided to stay - that Paul Robinson was going to continue as first choice, and Martyn was linked with moves to Chelsea as backup to Carlo Cudicini, or to Everton where he might give Richard Wright a run for his money. After the Chelsea move fell through because the player was unwilling to move his family down to London for a role with little chance of first-team football he looked to be settled at Elland Road, but just before deadline day - and with Everton's Richard Wright injured - a deal was agreed with Everton and Martyn agreed personal terms shortly afterwards. He has been a great servant to the club and we wish him well for the future.

Hannah writes: Nigel Martyn is the best forever and i love him! He's an amazing goalkeeper.

Rebecca says: I met Nigel in the White Rose Centre and he was really charming and nice. He signed my Leeds magazine and I had my picture taken with him. It was a great day, thanks a lot!

Barnie says: I think we owe Nige a lot for all his great saves. He's a fantastic keep and the best shot stopper in the League. When opposition have shots, we think 'Oh no, 1-0', then all of a sudden he comes flying across the goal and saves it, amazing. The whole stadium goes silent with relief. The amount of times he has saved us from losing - I've lost count, when he makes a mistake people are on his back, when he's the one that put us in the next round anyway. 10/10

Simon says: I believe that Nige is England's #1 as he is so dependable week in week out. He is a great asset to the Leeds team and will always be remembered. Being a season ticket holder you get to see the great saves he makes that the TV misses out.

Becky Wark says: he's a brill keeper and should be knighted for the great penalty saves for England and for Leeds.

Anonymous says: I met Nigel Martyn in the Queen Vic, he was really ignorant 2 me!! I offered 2 buy him a drink but he told me 2 go and s*rew myself!!!

Raluca says: I don't like how he plays and I think that he should be put in the second line!!!!! He is the worst player from the team!

Vikki says: Lee used to go to the 'Bull's Head' pub for after-match drinks with the rest of the Man Utd posse & make my heart swell! Thanks Lee for giving me confidence as could lip-read/ hear what they were saying!

Harold Kuster says: hello this is a message from holland from a PSV supporter. I met Mr Martyn after the match in Eindhoven and take a picture with him. That was really nice. Sorry for the week after.

Sarah says: Nigel Martyn is a brilliant goalkeeper and should play for England in every match! He is the most amazing goalkeeper I have ever seen!

Saz says: Nigel is the best looking guy on the earth and the best goalkeeper!

Pagey says: Saz - further to your above comment re: Nigel Martyn, we would be interested in sponsoring you over the coming seasons. You can get my address from any our our branches.
Managing Director
Vision Express

Beefy Barton says: I AM HIS BUTCHER

Sarah says: Nigel is da best an i love him!

Catherine Martyn says: Hi, I really dont know who you are, but I think it's cool that your last name is Martyn with a Y because thats how mine is spelled. I only found this website through the search. I just never thought I'd see another Martyn with a Y. Thats just what I wanted to tell you. Who knows, we might be related. :O)

hanif says: Nigel Martyn is the best keeper i have ever seen.i love him. i think he should be the num.1 keeper for england and leeds

Andre Blazey says: Attention Nigel Martyn. Just a note to wish you continued football success . From all the ST. Blazey Football Club fans .Nigel type in a register yourself on the St. Blazey Football Club messagerboard to talk with all the football fans.

Daniel Mills says: Your the best from big time fan Daniel Mills

Disgruntled Irish leeds fan ! says: Where are you ? Dude ! if you can't play then at least teach Paul how they put da figs in da fig rolls ! Terry vegetables is makin' a shambles of things.... Bring back David O'Leary !!!

milkylin says: I saw him play for crystal palace what a great keeper we miss him should be in leeds first team a waste of talent what is terry thinking of

Chaddy says: Nigel is one of the best blokes you could ever meet, I grew up with him in St.Austell and have had great pleasure following his career. I scored loads of goals past him though playing in the park!

Max Harlow says: Nigel Martyn's save at Villa Park (April 2002) to stop the home side from grabbing a last-gasp equaliser has to be the most wonderful bit of foresight I have ever seen in my life! After making a damn good save (jumped up in the air and caught it at the top right corner), he saw he was falling back into the goalmouth, and in a split second threw the ball round the post for a corner. Many lesser goalkeepers would not have had time to realise this and conceded an embarrassing o.g., but not big Nige. It's such a shame that his pointless trip to the World Cup has lost him his place in the side and effectively ended an international career that never really got started. But Robbo's doing so well, we couldn't possibly change things (unless the Elland Road injury curse strikes again). Still, it's good to know we have such a safe pair of hands on the bench.

Janine (Blazey) says: I have been a fan of Nigel's for 13 years, and have followed his career everywhere. I am a Palace fan, and I think you Leeds guys are very lucky, he is a great keeper. He used to be a good laugh down the Palace training ground, Vic B trained him well! I'm not surprised so many girls fall for him, I adore him too, his wife Amanda, is a lucky lady! Nige, you're wonderful, I really hope you get first team football again soon, thank you for the picture you sent me and thank you for coming back to the Palace yesterday (16/2/03), it was great to see you again. Your loyalist fan, Janine xxx

smithys no.1fan says: nige is a Dark-haired, Interesting, Comical King. read the letters

Ben says: Nigel Martyn is a Bristol Rovers legend - i hope you sell him soon though as we could do with a few quid for the sell on clause!

Nosedive says: Leeds have never had a greater goalkeeper than Big Nige. Paul Robinson's got a hell of a lot to live up to.

Karl Green says: i love leeds united and i have all my faith in them staying in the premiership

vicky adams says: hello to my fellow cornish man i dont live in st austall but i live near so if u ever come past drop me a line or email me at alan_smith_lover _at_ hotmil.com

Richard Hattersley says: I think your a brill player and yeh i surport leeds utd BUT you'd be better off going if we're keeping Robinsonyou can keep your class at another club and you'll get in the England team

Ross Wilson says: I have no personal memories to share.However, having just read of his transfer to Everton I would like to find a way to let him know many fans will miss him, and wish him the best .

andy says: thanks nige 4 years of service 2 leeds all da best at everton hope eriksson gives u da shot u have earned.

Adolf says: I am an Everton fan myself but I share the same comment to most Leeds fans about Nigel Martyn - a brilliant goalkeeper. Despite his age, he performs solidly and clearly solves the team's goalkeeping's cock-up. Thanks Nigel Martyn !!

Karen Davies says: yes i saw him play he has the sexiest bum ever seen i saw him in goal at elland road against nottingham forest what can I say the first 45 minutes wow

craig says: why has he joined everton

Anon says: I met Nigel Martyn unaware of who he actually was whilst serving him in a local pub in St Austell. Loads of people where coming up asking him for autographs and photo's whilst he was trying to purchase beer at the bar. I must say I thought he was a really decent and polite guy and hope to bump into him again in the future !!

April says: he has really cute butt.lol yeah...im Leeds fan and as Leeds's gone to 1st division.i still love them of course but in my country,v dont air match from 1st division and as a huge fan of Martyn meself.im now supporting Everton as 2nd team. Leeds used to some to my country once but Martyn didnt come.it's huge sad.Next year,2005,they say that Everton will come to Thailand.i hope that Martyn will joy the team this time and come coz im his fan for like 4years now. ^_^