CRAIG FORREST

'Craig Forrest' (born September 20, 1967 in Coquitlam, British Columbia) is a Canadian soccer commentator and a former goalkeeper. He was the first-choice goalkeeper for Canada during the 1990s and either first or second choice at English club Ipswich Town from the late 1980s to mid-1990s. Forrest went on loan to Chelsea F.C. in 1997 and played with the likes of Gianluca Vialli, Gianfranco Zola, all under the guidance of the manager Ruud Gullit. A permanent move to Chelsea was turned down by the Ipswich Town Board of Directors. Forrest played a number of first-team games in the FA Premier League in the late 1990s with West Ham United.
Forrest joined Ipswich in 1984 and remained with the club until 1997, making 263 league appearances with the club. Forrest saw his first first-team action with 11 appearances on loan to Colchester United in 1987–88. From 1988–89 through to 1996–97, Forrest was in the Ipswich goal, including during 1991–92 season when the club won promotion to the Premiership by winning Division One which was in its inaugural year. Forrest was ever present that season. He was amongst only 11 foreign players which started that season, Peter Schmeichel, Hans Segers, Éric Cantona, Anders Limpar and Andrei Kanchelskis. In 1997 Forrest signed with West Ham for whom he remained until his retirement from football in 2002.
Debuting for Canada in 1988, Forrest earned 56 caps, the most of any goalkeeper in the history of the team, and also the most clean sheets before retiring from international football in 2002. The highlight of his international career was helping the Canadians win the 2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup, in which Forrest was named tournament MVP and Most Valuable Goalkeeper for allowing a mere three goals and stopping two penalties in his side's five games. Also during his international career Canada had a famous result 1-1 against Brazil only a month prior to them hoisting the World Cup in 1994. Forrest enjoyed playing against Brazil, also registering a 0-0 draw in the Confederations Cup in 2001 in Japan.
Forrest was forced to retire from pro soccer due to complications from acquiring and recovering from testicular cancer. He began working as a sports analyst with Rogers Sportsnet upon his retirement from playing.
Forrest is also infamous for his performances against Manchester United. In one performance against the Reds in 1995, Forrest could only look on as his team, Ipswich, was destroyed 9-0. In the same season Ipswich Town were proud to win 3-2 against the Red Devils at Portman Road. At the end of that season Forrest was honoured with the Players Player of the Year award and also the fans Player of the Year award.Forrest also had a 1-1 and a 0-0 result with Ipswich Town at Old Trafford. However, the 1999-2000 season saw him at the end of yet another mauling by the reds, letting in seven goals in a game that saw a Paul Scholes hat-trick and a magnificent free-kick from David Beckham.
Forrest was instrumental in Ipswich Town's first win at Anfield (Liverpool F.C.) in the club's history, a 1-0 result, the winning goal scored by Adam Tanner.
Forrest is considered by some to be one of the best players ever for Canada's national football team and continues to play a major role in promoting the game in Canada, appearing frequently as a broadcaster for the men's national team and Toronto FC on sportsnet and the CBC. He has a reputation as a competent, knowledgeable broadcaster.
Forrest is now the Canadian FIFA Ambassador for SOS Children's Villages, he joins a fine line of over 80 international stars who are official ambassadors which includes the likes of Andriy Shevchenko, Wayne Rooney, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Lucas Radebe, Carlos Dunga, Fabio Cannavaro, Roger Milla, George Weah, Samuel Eto'o and Hugo Sanchez. This is a cause he is very passionate about.

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External links

External links

★ Forrest's West Ham page with career Premier and Football League statistics at ''Sporting Heroes.net''

★ Craig Forrest Elected to Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame