Dave Beasant started his footballing career with non-league Edgware Town way back in the 70s, but signed for Wimbledon when they got promoted to the old third division in 1979.

Beasant is probably most famous for the long time he spent with Wimbledon, and stayed between the sticks for nine years and making 340 appearances for the crazy gang during their meteoric rise to the old first division. During this famous era for the club, Beasant captained the club to FA Cup victory in 1988, saving a spot kick in the final. His loyalty and strong performances ensured interest from top clubs, and he transferred to Newcastle in 1988 for a fee of £750,000.

Newcastle flopped while Beasant was there, and they were relegated in his first and only season there, in fact he did not complete a season as he transferred to Chelsea in January of 1989, where he stayed for almost 5 years. Beasant made 133 appearances for the club before falling out of favour under Glenn Hoddle and being transferred, this time to Southampton for £300,000.

Beasant was a fan favourite at The Dell, where he made 105 appearances and won their player of the season award during his four years at Southampton, but again found himself out of favour, and this time transferred to Nottingham Forest.

In spite of being 38 when he transferred to Forest, he found himself their first choice keeper for almost 4 years, making him their eldest ever professional player at the age of 42. Dave continued to amaze as even after his time at Nottingham Forest was over he kept on playing regularly for Portsmouth, where he made 27 appearances, before making an astonishing return to the top level of football with Spurs as an emergency loan where he played one game, and then making his final appearances at Brighton, aged 45! Even after this he was registered on the books at Fulham as a backup, though he never made his debut for the Londoners and retired in 2004.

Dave Beasant is a stunning example of a goalkeeper going on for many years past what you’d expect, and the likes of Brad Friedel and Mark Schwarzer will be looking to follow in his footsteps.

He made just two appearances for his country, England, against Yugoslavia and Italy.

Having retired, Beasant became a coach at the club he ended his career with, Fulham, and is currently a senior coach at Glenn Hoddle’s football academy.

Dave Beasant, The North Stand salutes you!