David James was Aston Villa’s goalkeeper in the 2000 FA Cup final – the last to be played at the old Wembley Stadium.
He had a great career in many ways – the top clubs he joined; the England caps he won and the clean sheets (second best in the Premier League) and still the most penalties saved in the top flight.
David, now 53 years of age, is a bright, clear-thinking ex-player with a dry wit and a talented artist who is currently taking his goalkeeping coaching badges.
On Friday, he was one of the four panel guests at my annual Lord Taverners Charity Christmas Sports Lunch at a packed Edgbaston Stadium banqueting suite.
The others were the current England and Warwickshire cricket allrounder Chris Woakes, former Birmingham City manager and Coventry midfielder John Eustace and the Sky Sports football co-commentor Don Goodman, who scored goals as a striker for West Bromwich Albion Wolves and Sunderland.
James was with the Villa from 1999 to 2001. He helped Villa reach the FA Cup final in the penalty shoot-out semi-final but Chelsea won the final 1-0 with a 73rd-minute goal scored by Roberto Di Matteo.
That came after James fumbled Gianfranco Zola’s free-kick against his captain Gareth Southgate’s chest and Di Matteo swept in the loose ball.
David was to play in three other FA Cup finals – for Liverpool in 1996 losing to Manchester United and then 12 years later for Portsmouth in their winning final against Cardiff before captaining Pompey in their losing final 1-0 to double winners Chelsea in 2010.
However, James was in the Liverpool team that won the Football League Cup in 1995.
Born in Welwyn Garden City, he was been a lifelong Luton Town supporter but they never featured to his regret in the ten clubs that he played for in his 26 years as a player.
He did, however, join the Hatters in a coaching capacity to gain experience for a UEFA coaching licence.
David started with Watford in 1988 before being bought by Liverpool four years later to begin seven years at Anfield for his longest stint. He moved from there to Aston Villa.
Leaving Villa in 2001, he enjoyed three years in the West Ham goal before two years at Manchester City.
He certainly enjoyed his four years at Portsmouth. He explained to me that Pompey have a big community set-up and he loves clubs with the community connection. This is typical of David, who does so much for charity.
After visiting Malawi to help raise AIDS awareness in 2005, he set up the David James Foundation to help maize farmers develop more efficient production and also provide youngsters with mechanical and construction skills.
His foundation also stretches to help in this country such as providing funds at the University of Westminster for a student from Malawi to study for a master’s degree.
David is a very good artist and has auctioned lots of his painting to charity.
I was aware when he was a player that he often visited art galleries – unusual with respect for a footballer.
He also played for Bristol City, AFC Bournemouth, IBV and Kerala Blasters in India – where he stayed for four years, player/manager for three and manager for the last year.
His 13-year England career produced 53 appearances. For several years he was second choice to David Seaman but became first choice for Euro 2004 and 2010 World Cup.
He was made MBE in the 2012 Birthday Honours list for services to football and charity.
His records include the most penalty saves in the Premier League – 13 – and held the most clean sheets also in the Premier League – 142 – which has only been exceeded by Petr Cech.
James has also made the most number of league appearances in the top flight over 15 seasons.
James was an imposing goalkeeper and an outstanding shot-stopper. He used long throws and ability to organise his defence.
But he did, like many keepers, have his bad moments, sometimes on crosses and kicking distribution. But then again, he did make a career total of 958 club first team appearances of which 817 were in the league plus those 53 England caps and ten England Under-21 appearances.
Aston Villa had a sports psychologist while David was with the club and he says it was very helpful in his career from then on.
I suppose he will always be remembered along with the other ‘Spice Boys’ like Jamie Redknapp, John Barnes and Robbie Fowler for the cream suits that the Liverpool players wore, albeit made by Armani for whom James modelled, in that losing 1996 cup final against Manchester United.
I will remember him, too, for the kind phone call that David made to my home when I was recovering from a stroke in 2002 to wish me well and full recovery, which did eventually come. Typical of the man!
Gary Newbon: England No.1 ace David James made an art of keeping
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06.12.2023
David James was Aston Villa’s goalkeeper in the 2000 FA Cup final – the last to be played at the old Wembley Stadium.
He had a great career in many ways – the top clubs he joined; the England caps he won and the clean sheets (second best in the Premier League) and still the most penalties saved in the top flight.
David, now 53 years of age, is a bright, clear-thinking ex-player with a dry wit and a talented artist who is currently taking his goalkeeping coaching badges.
On Friday, he was one of the four panel guests at my annual Lord Taverners Charity Christmas Sports Lunch at a packed Edgbaston Stadium banqueting suite.
The others were the current England and Warwickshire cricket allrounder Chris Woakes, former Birmingham City manager and Coventry midfielder John Eustace and the Sky Sports football co-commentor Don Goodman, who scored goals as a striker for West Bromwich Albion Wolves and Sunderland.
James was with the Villa from 1999 to 2001. He helped Villa reach the FA Cup final in the penalty shoot-out semi-final but Chelsea won the final 1-0 with a 73rd-minute goal scored by Roberto Di Matteo.
That came after James fumbled Gianfranco Zola’s........
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