Dave Beasant

Dave Beasant was born in Park Royal Hospital in 1959 in the London Borough of Brent. His childhood dreams were clear and not lacking in ambition: to score goals for his beloved QPR and England. Kickabouts in the street and school team fixtures — where he initially created a name for himself as a dominant striker before turning Goalkeeper — dominated Dave’s earliest memories. Inspiration was all around, both in watching his hero, Rodney Marsh, and fellow Willesden High School peer, Luther Blissett. 

Dave Beasant joined AFC Wimbledon, and the Football League, in 1979 at the age of 20. A slow start, he made just one appearance after his debut against Blackpool on 12 January, 1980. The following season brought with it new opportunities, and Dave became a staple in the first team, earning their way back to promotion. From here on, Dave Beasant was a mainstay at Wimbledon, staying with the The Dons for nine years.

His loyalty was rewarded with personal and professional laurels, including: Football League Fourth Division Champions in 1983; Football League Third Division runners-up in 1984; and FA Cup winners in 1988 after a historic win over Liverpool. Dave also made history that day, as the first goalkeeper to save a penalty kick in an FA Cup final, and the first goalkeeper to captain his team in an FA Cup final. The celebrated match was his last with Wimbledon.

After nine years with his first club, Dave enjoyed spells with Newcastle United, Chelsea, Southampton, Nottingham Forest, Tottenham, Portsmouth, Wigan, Brighton & Hove Albion, and Fulham amongst others. The most revered goalkeeper of his time, he amassed 900 first-team appearances over the course of his his career, and competed in two full international matches for England under Manager, Bobby Robson. As luck would have it, both of The Three Lions fixtures took place on home turf at Wembley Stadium. 

Shortly before hanging up his boots, Dave impressed supporters as the oldest player registered with any professional club in England at the time. At the age of 43, he played his final Premier League match for Brighton & Hove Albion in the 2002-03 season. He was swiftly appointed Goalkeeping Coach at Fulham Football Club, in addition to Northern Ireland under the guidance of former Wimbledon teammate, Lawrie Sanchez. In 2008, he became a Senior Coach at Glenn Hoddle Academy, with subsequent appointments to Bristol Rovers, Stevenage, and Reading.

Few former professional footballers, let alone professional athletes, have as much insight into both sides of the game as Dave Beasant. His vast experience across the English game as both a player — ironically, often without a goalkeeper coach of his own — and coach make him an insightful and trusted ambassador of the game.