Jim Montgomery

Last updated : 06 February 2010 By Brian Cartlidge
 
 

Born in Sunderland on 9th October 1943 Montogomery joined his hometown club on leaving school in 1958 and turned professional two years later.

He made his League debut in season 1961-2 and went on to appear in a record 537 League games for Sunderland, winning an FA Cup winners medal in 1973, when, with his sde 1-0 up, his never-to-be-forgotten double save thwarted a Leeds United equaliser.

In February 1977, after a short loan spell with Southampton, Montgomery moved to St. Andrews and made 73 League appearances for Blues during his two-and-a-half year spell at the club before moving on to Nottingham Forest in August 1979 as cover for England keeper Peter Shilton.

However, a year later he was back at St. Andrew's as temporary coach before returning to Sunderland to become senior goalkeeping coach.

At 37 years old was re-registered as a non-contract reserve goalkeeper.

A great shot-stopper, Montgomery represented England at both Youth and Under-23 level and were it not for the presence of the great Gordon Banks he would surely have gained a full England cap.