Clemence calls for a hero

By John May BBC Sport Online

Clemence (left) and Shilton were a formidable pair

Former goalkeeping great Ray Clemence says the time has come for England's crop of goalkeeping hopefuls to grab their chance and create their own legend.

England goalkeeping coach Clemence also told BBC Sport Online that the halcyon days of England goalkeeping need not die with David Seaman's retirement.

Seaman remains England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson's number one choice.

Shilts and I were under pressure all the time, there were at least four or five other goalkeepers who were good enough to play for England

Ray Clemence

But as Eriksson ponders the approaching friendly against Australia and his longer-term strategy, a clear natural successor has yet to emerge.

Liverpool's Chris Kirkland, Leeds' Paul Robinson and West Brom's Russell Hoult are unproven at international level while West Ham's David James does not enjoy Eriksson's complete trust.

The uncertainty surrounding Seaman's successor raises questions as to when next one man will make England's goalkeeping jersey his own personal property.

Cap that

Multi-capped England keepers

Peter Shilton: 125caps.

David Seaman: 75caps.

Gordon Banks: 73caps.

Ray Clemence: 61caps.

Chris Woods: 43caps

From the days of Gordon Banks, England's goalkeeper was almost the first name to be inked on to the team-sheet.

Clemence's 61 caps would have been more had he not been in direct competition for much of his career with record-breaking Peter Shilton.

Chris Wood largely bridged the gap between Shilton and Seaman, whose count stands at 75 caps.

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Clemence, currently in Egypt with England's Under-18s, admitted: "Over the last 40 or 50 years there have probably been only six goalkeepers, and England have been lucky in that respect.

"In those days, somebody got into the side and made the place their own, but there was still plenty of competition.

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"Shilts and I were under pressure all the time.

"Although we tended to get the jersey, there were at least four or five other goalkeepers in the old First Division who were good enough to play for England.

"Shilts and I always knew that if we didn't perform there was somebody who could take our place."

Clemence did not feel increasingly intense media attention on errors now made it difficult for the England coach to persist with a goalkeeper.

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David James: 10caps

Paul Robinson: uncapped

Chris Kirkland: uncapped

Russell Hoult: uncapped

The former England keeper said: "I don't think it's any different to what it was 30 years ago.

"Goalkeepers were under as much pressure back then as they are today.

"That goes with the position and I don't think you can be a goalkeeper if you're not a strong character.

"There are people out there who still have to be tried and given the opportunity, who knows if they can go on to win 50 or 60 caps.

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"When David Seaman decides to step down it will create an opportunity for somebody to step forward and stake their claim.

"The oportunity will be there and it is up to them to take it."