Nigel Martyn - Fans memories of a reliable Leeds United number 1

Nigel Martyn's dependability as Leeds United's last line of defence made him the club's first-choice goalkeeper for six seasons.

His consistency was such that years later at a supporters' dinner, Martyn was named officially as United's greatest ever goalkeeper, beating off competition from the likes of Gary Sprake and John Lukic - men who both won championship medals at Elland Road.

He remains one of Leeds’ most astute signings in the modern era. He was being brought to Elland Road by Howard Wilkinson from Crystal Palace for a then record goalkeeper fee of £2.25 million in the summer of 1996.

Martyn will be remembered by a generation of supporters for string of outstanding and unforgettable performances between the sticks. One of his most notable displays of brilliance between the sticks was a man-of-the-match performance in the Stadio Olimpico against AS Roma in the 1999/2000 UEFA Cup campaign, when Leeds reached the semi-finals.

Your Yorkshire Evening Post asked the Elland Road faithful to share memories of Martyn who was restricted to 23 England caps over a decade having the misfortune of occupying David Seaman's shadow.

Responses included:

Liam G Smith - "By far the best keeper in Leeds United history."

Ella Wild - "On his first match for Leeds United, I was about 11 years old sat behind the goal with my dad and Nigel Martyn threw his gloves over to us at the end of the match! Still have them framed!"

Paul Benson - "Roma away UEFA Cup. Best ever goalkeeper performance ever seen."

Christian Doyle - "A save at Old Trafford, I think from a Nicky Butt header was exceptional. He got injured in the process. Absolute world class save."

David Wood "All the boys in our family bought the Nigel Martyn shirt, he was fantastic for Leeds."

Pete Bogojevic - "In my view our best keeper ever! Nige was quality."

Kevin Dwyer - "The last minute penalty save in the FA Cup at Palace. What an away day that was."

Michael Reeve - "One of my first games I can remember, he was out training before the game ball went over into the crowd I remember my old man caught it and gave it to me. Was so young didn’t really know what to do so ran it down and gave it to him. Got a rub of the head and a thumbs up. Fell in love with Leeds there and then."

David Lambert - "Nigel played many great games for us and was arguably our best ever keeper but one memory that sticks in my mind was 2001 in the Champions League against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu. Luis Figo crossed the ball and the ball struck a divot and turned 90 degrees into the net. Luckily Leeds had already qualified for the next phase but it must have been the softest goal of Nigel's career and one that I'm sure he will always remember."

Gavin Shoesmith - "Best Leeds keeper ever. Pleasure to watch him week in week out."

Richard Steventon - "A save he made at the City Ground from Brian Roy top corner was right behind it and thought that's in. Not sure how big Nige got to it."

Ken Richardson - "Our best ever goalie."

AL Bryans - "Brilliant goalkeeper, that's how I remember him at Leeds."

Johnny Shearn - "When he wasn’t involved in the game as Leeds had all of the possession he used to do sprint drills in his in-goal area."

Phil B (LUSCarborough) - "The game against Roma away in the UEFA Cup 2000, was the best goalkeeping display I’ve ever witnessed in 50 years of watching live football. In my opinion, he’s the best keeper that LUFC have ever had."

Big Mal (@malgly) - "I have watched Lufc for nearly 60 years and he is the best keeper we have ever had without doubt. (Although Meslier may go on to be the best in future years if he stays and develops at his current rate)."

Andy Couzens (@andycuz23) - "Great keeper and he did that all time it was just normal for Nigel."

Cllr Sam Firth (@CllrSamFirth) - "Nigel took some beating. Unlucky to be in the same generation as super David 'Safe Hands' Seaman. He was still at top of game when left for Everton. For years after, we still debated England's No1 pick for 2002 World Cup at school. No-one could've saved Ronaldinho's free kick!"

Nigel Scott - "The reception he got when he came back to Elland Road as an Everton player was the best I've ever heard."

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Laura Collins