Pavel Srnícek
Encyclopedia
Pavel Srníček is a Czech
former football goalkeeper
.
, who left within months to be succeeded by Ossie Ardiles - by this time his transfer had been made permanent, and he was soon established as the club's first choice goalkeeper after the appointment of Kevin Keegan
as manager in February 1992. He was a key player in the team that won promotion to the FA Premier League
as Division One
champions in 1992-93
, and quickly established themselves as a top side, not finishing outside the top six in any of the next four seasons. He almost collected a title medal in 1995-96
, when Newcastle had led the league by 10 points at Christmas, only to be overhauled by Manchester United
during the final three months of the season.
He later faced competition from Shaka Hislop
for the number 1 jersey, but a frying pan injury to Hislop enabled Srníček to keep his place. In 1997, Newcastle signed Shay Given
, and after making only one appearance for the club that season, Srníček returned to his old club before coming back to the Premiership with Sheffield Wednesday
. He had relative success with Wednesday before being released by the club in 2000.
Since then he has had various spells at other clubs including Brescia
, Portsmouth F.C.
, West Ham United
and Beira-Mar.
For over 10 years, he was also the only goalkeeper to receive a rating of 10/10, in the individual players ratings in British tabloid The Sun
, despite being on the losing side in a 1996-97
season Premiership match against Liverpool
, until Robert Green
received the same rating for his performance as West Ham goalkeeper against Arsenal
.
Srníček made an emotional return to Newcastle in 2006, signing a short-term deal until the end of the year as cover for the injured Shay Given.
Srníček did not appear for Newcastle until Saturday 23 December (the last match before the end of his original contract), when Newcastle defeated Tottenham Hotspur
3-1. Srníček was brought on for injured Shay Given who pulled his groin in the 87th minute, and received a huge, tremendous reception from the Newcastle crowd; this was his 150th appearance for the Magpies. Srníček was also voted one of the most popular Newcastle United players of all time.
On 23 December 2006, after making his second appearance for the club, he signed a new contract running until the end of the season.
On 16 May 2007, following Sam Allardyce
's appointment as Manager of Newcastle United, he was told his contract would not be renewed.
With the news of his release, he finally drew a close on his career.
He has since begun the Srnicek school of goalkeeping in Czech Republic offering youngsters from around the world to learn from his unique coaching styles. He is also involved in a number of charity organisations. . Pavel is a keen golfer and recently won a Peugeot 306 at Alton Towers.
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
former football goalkeeper
Goalkeeper (football)
In association football, the goalkeeper occupies a position that represents the last line of defence between the opponent's offence and his own team's goal. The primary role of the goalkeeper is to defend his team's goal and prevent the opposition from scoring a goal...
.
Career
Srníček was originally signed by Newcastle in December 1990 on loan from Banik Ostrava by manager Jim SmithJim Smith (footballer)
James Michael "Jim" Smith is a retired English footballer and manager. As a player, he made 249 appearances in the Fourth Division of The Football League, representing Aldershot, Halifax Town, Lincoln City and Colchester United, and played for three-and-a-half years for Boston United of the...
, who left within months to be succeeded by Ossie Ardiles - by this time his transfer had been made permanent, and he was soon established as the club's first choice goalkeeper after the appointment of Kevin Keegan
Kevin Keegan
Joseph Kevin Keegan, OBE is a former international footballer and former manager of the England national football team and several English clubs, most notably Newcastle United....
as manager in February 1992. He was a key player in the team that won promotion to the FA Premier League
FA Premier League
The Premier League is an English professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the English football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with The Football League. The Premier...
as Division One
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
champions in 1992-93
1992-93 in English football
The 1992–1993 season was the 113th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:This season saw the birth of the FA Premier League. This meant a break-up of the 104-year-old Football League that had operated until then with four divisions....
, and quickly established themselves as a top side, not finishing outside the top six in any of the next four seasons. He almost collected a title medal in 1995-96
1995-96 in English football
- Premiership :Newcastle United were 12 points clear at the top of Manchester United, but Alex Ferguson's relatively young and inexperienced side overhauled them during the second half of the season to win the title....
, when Newcastle had led the league by 10 points at Christmas, only to be overhauled by Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
during the final three months of the season.
He later faced competition from Shaka Hislop
Shaka Hislop
Neil Shaka Hislop, CM is a former professional football goalkeeper. The majority of his career was spent in the top division in England where he was a part of the Newcastle United team which finished second in the Premier League for two successive seasons under Kevin Keegan's first tenure...
for the number 1 jersey, but a frying pan injury to Hislop enabled Srníček to keep his place. In 1997, Newcastle signed Shay Given
Shay Given
Séamus John James "Shay" Given is an Irish footballer who plays for Aston Villa and the Republic of Ireland national team as a goalkeeper. He won the PFA's Player of the Year in 2002....
, and after making only one appearance for the club that season, Srníček returned to his old club before coming back to the Premiership with Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
. He had relative success with Wednesday before being released by the club in 2000.
Since then he has had various spells at other clubs including Brescia
Brescia
Brescia is a city and comune in the region of Lombardy in northern Italy. It is situated at the foot of the Alps, between the Mella and the Naviglio, with a population of around 197,000. It is the second largest city in Lombardy, after the capital, Milan...
, Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
, West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
and Beira-Mar.
For over 10 years, he was also the only goalkeeper to receive a rating of 10/10, in the individual players ratings in British tabloid The Sun
The Sun (newspaper)
The Sun is a daily national tabloid newspaper published in the United Kingdom and owned by News Corporation. Sister editions are published in Glasgow and Dublin...
, despite being on the losing side in a 1996-97
1996-97 in English football
The 1996–1997 season was the 117th season of competitive football in England.Arrival into the league and exit out of the league returns in the fourth tier for the first time after its 3 season absence with only 1 relegation spot.- Premier League :...
season Premiership match against Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
, until Robert Green
Robert Green
Robert Paul Green is an English footballer who plays for West Ham United and the England national football team as a goalkeeper.-Norwich City:...
received the same rating for his performance as West Ham goalkeeper against Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
.
Srníček made an emotional return to Newcastle in 2006, signing a short-term deal until the end of the year as cover for the injured Shay Given.
Srníček did not appear for Newcastle until Saturday 23 December (the last match before the end of his original contract), when Newcastle defeated Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
3-1. Srníček was brought on for injured Shay Given who pulled his groin in the 87th minute, and received a huge, tremendous reception from the Newcastle crowd; this was his 150th appearance for the Magpies. Srníček was also voted one of the most popular Newcastle United players of all time.
On 23 December 2006, after making his second appearance for the club, he signed a new contract running until the end of the season.
On 16 May 2007, following Sam Allardyce
Sam Allardyce
Samuel "Sam" Allardyce , nicknamed "Big Sam", is an English football manager and former professional player. In June 2011 he was appointed as manager of West Ham United....
's appointment as Manager of Newcastle United, he was told his contract would not be renewed.
With the news of his release, he finally drew a close on his career.
He has since begun the Srnicek school of goalkeeping in Czech Republic offering youngsters from around the world to learn from his unique coaching styles. He is also involved in a number of charity organisations. . Pavel is a keen golfer and recently won a Peugeot 306 at Alton Towers.