Tribute To A Great Servant

Last updated : 02 September 2003 By Kevin Markey

Nigel served under an incredible five managers whilst at Leeds, Howard Wilkinson who bought him from Crystal Palace in 1996, George Graham, David O'Leary, Terry Venables and Peter Reid.

As one of the most experienced players in the Leeds United squad, Nigel has brought much to The Whites since his £2.25m move from Palace. Having played 273 games in a Leeds shirt he has proved his worth and has collected 23 international caps for his country.

Despite featuring in England's World Cup squad before the start of the 2002/03 season Nigel failed to win back his first team place and talented youngster Paul Robinson became No 1 after being handed the opportunity following a string of injuries to Martyn.

Martyn is a commanding keeper though, with a likeable laid back personality off the pitch. One of the most consistent Premiership keepers who has been in and around the England squad for years, he has had many backers for the position of England's No 1. His international career would have flourished were it not for David Seaman's continuing involvement, but he still remains one of the finest goalkeepers with a British passport.

Nigel is a reliable keeper, confident and commanding, who almost single-handedly kept Leeds up in the 1996-97 season.

Although Nigel picked up a rib injury which kept him out for a couple of games, he had another good season in 1998-99 and with Seaman injured, his England chances vastly improved.

Voted onto the Premier League Team Year 2000 by his fellow professionals, Nigel remained 2nd choice England keeper behind Seaman but when he finally got his big chance against Romania in Euro 2000, he made some great saves, although a combination of an uncertain defence and Nigel'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 had to keep his place ahead of Robinson in the next couple of years. However, he returned with his shot-stopping as good as ever and played a major part in the latter half of Leeds' famous Champions League campaign.

In 2002 his overall game was back to its best. He was picked by England for the World Cup squad, but the return to fitness of Seaman left him on the sidelines again. After the World Cup he was reluctant to go on Leeds' tour of the Far East for pre-season and when the squad returned he found that Robinson had done enough to convince new manager Venables that he was the one who would start the new season and he has remained on the Leeds bench since.

In summer 2003, Reid made it clear, once Robinson pledged his future to stay at Elland Road, that he was going to continue as first choice. Martyn was linked with moves to Chelsea as backup to Carlo Cudicini, and eventually signed for Everton where he might give Richard Wright a run for his money.

My own personal memory of Nigel was in the Uefa cup match away to Roma where he kept a clean sheet in a goalless draw with some outstanding saves, enabling Leeds to win the 2nd leg at Elland Road 1-0. Also the England game against Greece at Old Trafford, where people forget that he had kept them in the game long before Beckham's free kick at the death.

Good luck Nigel, except when you're playing The Whites of course!

Appearances Started YC RC Sub-On Sub-Off Goals
Club Career Record
Leeds United27327351020
Crystal Palace34934931010
Bristol Rovers12412400000
International Career Record
England B0000000
England232000360
Thanks to jabba at leedsfans.org.uk for some of the info above on Nigel.