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
,p>Super Ste says: Nige is the best Leeds keeper ever by a country
mile, he's everything you want in a goalkeeper, even now and playing
at a smaller club he's the best English keeper on the planet - we
should take him to Portugal and make up for all the caps he's had
stolen from him from far lesser men. Nige is NUMBER ONE!
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. ^_^
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