Czech-born Newcastle goalkeeper who was accorded honorary Geordie status by the Gallowgate crowd
Pavel Srníček, who has died aged 47, kept goal for Newcastle United from 1991 until 1998, notably during the era of Kevin Keegan’s management when the side challenged for the Premier League title; the Czech international became a firm favourite with the Gallowgate crowd, who honoured him with the chant “Pavel is a Geordie”.
Srníček arrived in Newcastle aged 20 having played only for his home town club, Banik Ostrava, and with Czechoslovakia adjusting to the end of communism. He had impressed Newcastle in a trial match but spoke no English and struggled to come to terms with Geordie – and indeed British – culture.
He was shocked that there was just one bath for all the players to share at the training ground, and that coaching even for goalkeepers consisted largely of running. Under Jim Smith and then Ossie Ardiles, he endured a torrid introduction to football played much faster than he was used to. With the team facing relegation to the Third Division, he conceded 32 goals in 15 games, including six in one match.
Pavel Srnícek in action in 1995
Yet although Srníček always felt keenly that his managers never put enough faith in him, his passion for the team and sheer ability won round the fans; he in turn even came to like chip butties. Strongly built yet agile, a superb shot-stopper and more comfortable than most keepers with the ball at his feet, he became Keegan’s first choice in their promotion-winning season of 1993.
He was a key member of the cavalier side, which included Les Ferdinand, David Ginola and Peter Beardsley, that lost the league to Manchester United in 1995-96 after having led by 12 points at Christmas. Against Everton that season, Srníček made a memorable save from Anders Limpar by changing direction in mid-flight to account for a deflection. The former England keeper Gordon Banks said it was one of the 10 best saves he had seen.
In 1993, Srníček won his first cap for his country – until then, the Czech FA had apparently been unaware that he was playing for Newcastle. He went on to win 49 in total, was reserve keeper at Euro 96 (when the Czechs were runners-up) and first choice for Euro 2000.
He left St James’s Park after failing to convince Kenny Dalglish of his worth – in his memoir he had hard things to say about the Scot’s treatment of him – and having played almost 190 matches for Newcastle. In 2006 he made a brief but emotional return to the club as cover for the injured Shay Given and was given a rousing reception when he came on against Spurs. Then 38, he played his last match for the Toon on Boxing Day that year.
Pavel Srníček was born in Ostrava, Czechoslovakia, on March 10 1968. His father worked as a woodcutter, while his mother – who had spent her first few years in France – was a farm labourer. The family lived in a rural village and were so poor that Pavel, one of five children, often had to wear his sisters’ cast-offs. He paid for his first pair of jeans at 15 by working for a month building a crematorium.
His parents took little interest in his education and his father, who became an alcoholic, hated sport and never came to see Srníček play for club or country. Despite these obstacles, Pavel’s talent won him a place at 17 with Banik Ostrava, then in the second division. Under communism, there was no professional league and Srníček had a day job in the textile industry. He then did two years compulsory military service, with the Velvet Revolution occurring as that ended.
Pavel Srnícek celebrating in 1999
After leaving Newcastle, Srníček spent two seasons at Sheffield Wednesday until they were relegated in 2000. He then had three years in Italy with Brescia, playing alongside Roberto Baggio, Andrea Pirlo and Pep Guardiola. Fond though he was of the Italian lifestyle – his villa overlooked Lake Garda – he wearied of the endemic corruption.
His being underpaid runs as a leitmotif through his entertainingly frank memoir, Pavel is a Geordie, written with Will Scott and published last month. In it, Srníček recounts how he was cheated out of his proper wages both by his agent and by Brescia, who promised he would be repaid by Cosenza if he went on loan to them. Shortly after he arrived at his new club, it went bankrupt.
In 2003-04, he had brief spells with Portsmouth and West Ham, before moving to Portugal to play for Beira Mar. They were relegated from the top flight in his first season, but the following year were promoted back as champions.
After retiring, he set up a goalkeeping school and since 2011 had coached at Sparta Prague. Away from the pitch, he liked to cook and enjoyed karaoke singing. He died after suffering a heart attack whilst jogging on December 20.
He was divorced, in 2007, from his wife Pavla, whom he married in 1987. Their son Maxim and daughter Vendy survive him.
Pavel Srníček, born March 10 1968, died December 29 2015
No comments:
Post a Comment