Hart of the City: A recap of the goalkeeper's career
Hart of the City: A recap of the goalkeeper's career When a 19-year-old goalkeeper joined City from Shrewsbury on this day in 2006, few could have predicted quite the heights he’d reach. By the end of his career, Joe Hart was a two-time Premier League winner, as well as FA Cup and League Cup victor too, and proud owner of 75 England caps including as first-choice at three major tournaments. When he made the move to City, Hart was already an experienced first teamer at the Salop side, having played 54 times including in every single league game of 2005/06.
A Head Boy in his final year at school and a part of Worcestershire County Cricket Club’s youth setup before focusing on football, it appeared Hart was always destined for success. But the summer of 2006 brought a move north to Manchester, the bright lights of the Premier League and intense competition. In other words, the kind of challenge that can either make or break a career.
The signing had been well researched, with manager Stuart Pearce and goalkeeping coach Tim Flowers spotted at Gay Meadow during the season to scout the talent. In his first year at City, Hart would be tussling with Swedish international Andreas Isaksson, Club favourite Nicky Weaver and a fellow future Premier League winner in Kasper Schmeichel for the spot between the posts. For that reason and the fact it was announced just a couple of weeks on from the end of a campaign when we struggled to a 15th place finish, Hart’s arrival didn’t capture many headlines.
A clean sheet in his very first competitive outing, a 0-0 draw against Sheffield United in October 2006, brought more eyes on him but that would prove his only senior appearance that year. But when Weaver, who was first choice much of that year, moved on in the summer of 2007, it left Hart, Schmeichel and Isaksson. Sven-Goran Eriksson clearly understood the talent of the two youngsters, giving Schmeichel the gloves in the early weeks of the season while Hart took the first two rounds of the League Cup.
The second of those performances brought a clean sheet against Norwich City and earned him the first-choice slot for the rest of the season. A strong, muscular build and shock of bright, spiky blonde hair meant Hart made for a pretty striking presence on the pitch, while he immediately carried the confidence of a young man who believed he was right where he was supposed to be. Ironically, some of his best saves early on came very much in the mould of Kasper’s father, Peter, who spread all of his limbs out like a starfish to smother any advancing attacker.
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