David James (footballer, born 1970)

Template:Short description Template:For Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use British English Template:Infobox football biography David Benjamin James (born 1 August 1970) is an English former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. His most recent position was manager at Kerala Blasters FC in the Indian Super League in 2018. He is also a pundit on Sky Sports football coverage.

James is fifth on the list of all-time Premier League appearances, having played in 572 top-level matches, and held the Premier League record for most clean sheets with 169 until Petr Čech surpassed this record.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He holds the record for most penalties saved in Premier League history (13).<ref name="best penalty savers in Premier League history">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

He was capped 53 times by England between 1997 and 2010, and was first choice goalkeeper during the team's Euro 2004 and the 2010 World Cup campaigns. He was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2012 Birthday Honours for services to football and charity.<ref>Template:London Gazette</ref><ref name="MBE">Template:Cite news</ref>

Having started his career with Watford, James went on to feature in the Premier League for Liverpool, Aston Villa, West Ham United, Manchester City and Portsmouth. He gained a Football League Cup winner's medal with Liverpool in 1995, an FA Cup winner's medal with Portsmouth in 2008, as well as runners-up medals with Aston Villa in 2000, Liverpool in 1996 and Portsmouth in 2010. In 2010, at the age of 39, he became the oldest goalkeeper to appear in an FA Cup Final.<ref name="OldestKeeperFACup">Template:Cite news</ref> James dropped down a division in 2010 to play for Bristol City and later played for League One side AFC Bournemouth. He joined Icelandic side ÍBV Vestmannaeyjar in 2013 in a joint playing and coaching capacity, before officially retiring.

In October 2013, James took up a coaching position at Luton Town, the club he has supported since his childhood.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The following year, he became the marquee player and manager of the newly formed Kerala Blasters. He returned to the club in 2018,<ref name="auto">Template:Cite news</ref> being dismissed in December following an 11-match winless run.<ref name=Goal>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Club career

Watford

Born in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, James grew up supporting Luton Town.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He signed as a trainee with Luton's local rivals Watford upon leaving school, and was first selected for the club's senior team in 1989. In his days as a youth player, he helped Watford win the FA Youth Cup.<ref name="globeandmail">Template:Cite news</ref> Following the departure of Tony Coton, James made his league debut on 25 August 1990 in a 1–2 defeat against Millwall, and his performance resulted in an England U21 call-up for a match against the Republic of Ireland. He earned a total of ten caps for the U21s.

At club level, James made 89 first-team appearances for Watford, and was named the club's Player of the Season for the 1990–91 season, when he kept goal in all 46 Second Division games as Watford escaped relegation.<ref name=jones>Template:Cite book</ref> In 2008, James was inducted into the Watford Hall of Fame for his services to the club.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Liverpool

James was signed for £1.25 million by Liverpool on 6 July 1992.<ref name=jones/> He made his Liverpool debut on 16 August in a 0–1 league defeat to Nottingham Forest.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> After conceding twenty goals in eleven matches in the first half of the 1993–94, he was dropped in favour of veteran Bruce Grobbelaar, but was recalled to the starting line-up and kept his first clean sheet of the season in a 1–0 away win over Arsenal on 31 January 1993, which included a penalty save from Paul Merson.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He also received a runners-up medal in 1996 in the FA Cup while being on the losing side against Manchester United.

James rose to fame together with Liverpool teammates Steve McManaman, Jamie Redknapp, and Robbie Fowler, who were nicknamed the "Spice Boys" – an epithet named after the Spice Girls that was used by those who alleged the Liverpool team of the 1990s were more focused on partying than winning games. James' frequent blunders earned him the nickname Calamity James. He put down his spate of errors to an overindulgence in playing computer games that in turn affected his concentration.<ref name="CNN">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Despite winning the 1995 Football League Cup, James' hold on the starting position was put in jeopardy with the acquisition of Brad Friedel. He made 277 appearances for Liverpool in total.<ref name="autogenerated1"/>

Aston Villa

On 23 June 1999, James was sold to Aston Villa for £1.8 million.<ref name="autogenerated1">Template:Cite news</ref> He made his Villa debut on 7 August, and kept a clean sheet in a 1–0 away win over Newcastle United in the opening Premier League game. He was decisive in a penalty shoot-out against Bolton Wanderers in the 2000 FA Cup semi-final, but conceded Chelsea's winning goal in the ensuing final, the last to be staged at the old Wembley. Over two years, he made 85 appearances for Villa.<ref name="thisislondon"/>

West Ham United

James moved to West Ham United for £3.5 million on 11 July 2001, signing a four-year contract.<ref name="thisislondon">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> However, a serious knee injury sustained while on international duty kept him out for several months.<ref name="knee injury">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

James made his debut for West Ham on 24 November 2001 in a 1–0 home loss to Tottenham Hotspur.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}Template:Dead link</ref> In 2002–03, West Ham were relegated to the First Division. James stayed with West Ham at the start of the 2003–04 season.<ref name="undisclosed">Template:Cite news Template:Dead link</ref> He played 102 total games in all competitions for West Ham.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Manchester City

Template:Quote box James returned to the Premier League by signing for Manchester City on 14 January 2004 for £2 million fee as a replacement for the retired David Seaman, on Seaman's recommendation.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He reunited with his former Liverpool "Spice Boys" teammates Robbie Fowler and Steve McManaman.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

James made his debut on 17 January 2004 in a 1–1 home draw with Blackburn Rovers.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> City won only four of the seventeen matches that James started, two of which came after James saved penalties against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leicester City.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> James said that exploring the field of sport psychology improved his skills as a goalkeeper, particularly saving penalty kicks.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

On the last day of the 2004–05 season, James was playing for City who needed to beat Middlesbrough to qualify for the UEFA Cup at the opposition's expense. With five minutes remaining the score was 1–1, when City's manager Stuart Pearce replaced midfielder Claudio Reyna with the substitute goalkeeper Nicky Weaver, and James was moved to play in attack for the remainder of the game. The unusual tactic almost worked when, in injury time, Middlesbrough defender Franck Queudrue conceded a penalty by handling a cross that was aimed at James. However, Fowler's penalty was saved by Middlesbrough goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, meaning they qualified for the UEFA Cup at City's expense.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Portsmouth

James during his time at Portsmouth

On 10 August 2006, James, who had separated from his wife, stated that he needed to leave Manchester City to be closer to his children, who lived in London. Manchester City confirmed they had accepted a bid from Portsmouth.<ref name="pompey bid">Template:Cite news</ref> Two days later, he joined Portsmouth for £1.2 million, signing a two-year deal.<ref name="pompey move">Template:Cite news</ref>

James kept clean sheets in his first five appearances for Portsmouth.<ref>Template:Cite news Template:Dead link</ref> On 22 April 2007, James kept his 142nd Premier League clean sheet in a goalless draw with Aston Villa, breaking the record of 141 previously held by David Seaman.<ref>Aston Villa 0–0 Portsmouth </ref> At the end of 2006–07, James was named Portsmouth's player of the season.

James has made the most league appearances<ref>Premier League official appearance statsTemplate:Dead link</ref> of any goalkeeper since the formation of the Premier League over fifteen seasons, in addition to conceding the most goals.<ref>"Premier League official goalkeeper conceded stats"Template:Dead link</ref> On 30 January 2008, in a league match against Manchester United, he became the third player (after Gary Speed and Ryan Giggs) to cross the 500-match threshold.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

James signed a one-year contract extension in May 2007, which kept him at Fratton Park until the end of the 2008–09 season.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> James won the second major trophy of his career during that season, as Portsmouth claimed a 1–0 victory over Cardiff City at Wembley Stadium in the 2008 FA Cup Final. James was named as the goalkeeper in the PFA Team of the Year for 2007–08; only he and Aston Villa's Ashley Young were from teams outside the top four.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On 8 November 2008, he made his 100th appearance for Portsmouth.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

He holds the distinction of twice having been the record holder for consecutive Premier League appearances, with 159 during his Liverpool days from February 1994 to February 1998, and 166 between Manchester City and Portsmouth from 2006 to 2008; both streaks were eventually topped by Chelsea's Frank Lampard and Tottenham Hotspur's Brad Friedel, respectively.<ref name="friedel">I play for Aston Villa not for myself says Brad Friedel Template:Webarchive – Birmingham Mail, 29 November 2008, Retrieved on 29 November 2008</ref>

On 14 February 2009 against Manchester City, James made his 536th Premier League appearance, breaking Speed's all-time record.<ref name="speed">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

On 22 April 2009, Times Online named James as the 15th greatest player in Portsmouth's history.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Dead link</ref>

James captained Portsmouth in the FA Cup semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur where Portsmouth won 2–0 in extra time, describing the experience as "superb".<ref name="massive">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He also captained the team in the final as Portsmouth were beaten 1–0 by double winners Chelsea.

His contract expired at the end of the 2009–10 season, and he expressed interest in succeeding Avram Grant as Portsmouth manager,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> though this came to nothing. The club offered him a new playing contract, but withdrew the offer after he failed to commit to the club; therefore, James left Portsmouth and became a free agent.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Bristol City

James playing for Bristol City in a Severnside derby against Cardiff City, 2010

James signed a one-year contract with Championship side Bristol City on 30 July 2010, with the option of a second year.<ref name="bbc-news">Template:Cite news</ref> He stated that he hoped that his performances at the club would keep him on the radar for the England team and that his decision to join them was motivated by a desire to be closer to his family home in Devon.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

James' league debut for Bristol City came on 7 August 2010 in a 3–0 defeat to Millwall.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On 11 February 2011, the eve of his 850th club appearance, James announced he had signed a contract extension with the club until June 2012.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On 10 March 2012, James reached 900 club appearances in a game against Cardiff City in the Severnside derby, in which he was made captain as a mark of respect.<ref name="900app">Template:Cite news</ref>

He was released by Bristol City on 1 May 2012,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and in July 2012 began training with Exeter City.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

AFC Bournemouth

On 27 September 2012, he arrived at Dean Court to train with AFC Bournemouth, signing a one-year deal to play for them the following day.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> However, he did not see out the contract, leaving the club by mutual consent in March 2013 after making 19 appearances.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

ÍBV Vestmannaeyjar

On 2 April 2013, James signed a contract with Icelandic club ÍBV until the end of the 2013 season in a joint player/coach capacity.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He linked up with former Portsmouth teammate Hermann Hreiðarsson, the manager of ÍBV. The ÍBV chairman stated that James was not being paid high wages, and that he was primarily playing out of kindness and to gain coaching experience.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> His arrival at ÍBV saw much higher attendances than in previous years.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> ÍBV ended the season in sixth position, and James announced his retirement from playing.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Kerala Blasters and retirement

He was signed by Kerala Blasters FC, owned by Sachin Tendulkar, for the 2014 Indian Super League as a player-manager. He said "I hope my involvement with ISL will be the start of something great."<ref name="KB">Template:Cite news</ref> The team's first fixture on 13 October, in which James played, resulted in a 1–0 defeat at NorthEast United.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> His team eventually became the runners up in the inaugural ISL tournament by losing to Atletico de Kolkata 1–0 in the finals.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> James retired at the end of the season.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

International career

Youth career and early senior career

After making one England under-21 appearance whilst at Watford, James made his full debut for Glenn Hoddle's England in a friendly against Mexico on 29 March 1997 when he was a Liverpool player. He kept his first international clean sheet as England beat Mexico 2–0 with goals from Teddy Sheringham and James' Liverpool teammate Robbie Fowler. He was in the provisional 28-man squad for Euro 2000 before missing the final cut.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

James is the only black goalkeeper to represent England as a full international.<ref name=black>Template:Cite news</ref>

Years of rotation and Euro 2004

James was selected by Sven-Göran Eriksson for his 23-man squad for the 2002 FIFA World Cup. He was third choice behind David Seaman and Nigel Martyn, as the veteran Arsenal goalkeeper played in all five of England's games.

For several years he had to play understudy to England's regular keeper, David Seaman. When Seaman was dropped after making a mistake against FYR Macedonia in 2002, James became the new England number one. He retained his place in the England team even after West Ham's relegation to the First Division in 2003, and was the only player from outside the top flight to win an England cap between 1999 (Michael Gray) and 2007 (David Nugent). He went on to play in all of England's matches at Euro 2004.

James was dropped from the starting XI, his place being taken by Tottenham's Paul Robinson. James came on as a half-time substitute and conceded all four goals in the 4–1 drubbing England suffered at the hands of Denmark during a friendly on 17 August 2005 – their worst defeat in 25 years.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> James still remained part of the England squad, and was selected as the second-choice goalkeeper behind Robinson for the 2006 World Cup in Germany, though he did not play.

Along with fellow veterans David Beckham and Sol Campbell, James was dropped from the England squad at the start of Steve McClaren's reign and was not called up during the 2006–07 season. He was recalled for the friendly with Germany on 22 August 2007, over a year since first being omitted. James played the whole of the second half of England's 2–1 defeat to Germany as a substitute for Robinson. In so doing, he became the first Portsmouth player to play for the senior England team since Mark Hateley in 1984. However, Scott Carson was chosen ahead of both James and Robinson for the decisive Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia on 21 November 2007. England lost the match 2-3, partly due to a fumble by Carson, which gifted Croatia the game's opening goal.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Following England's failure to qualify for Euro 2008 McClaren was sacked as England manager and replaced by Fabio Capello. James was subsequently critical of McClaren's treatment of England's goalkeepers.<ref>Keeper James hits out at McClaren BBC Sport, 25 November 2007</ref>

2010 World Cup cycle

On 7 February 2008, James was selected as goalkeeper for Capello's first match in charge, a friendly against Switzerland. It was his first start for England since a friendly with Colombia in May 2005.<ref>England Senior Team Archive Template:Webarchive TheFA.com</ref> James firmly re-established himself as England's first choice goalkeeper, starting in each of Capello's first 13 games in charge. Persistent injury problems over the following year left James' hopes of retaining the No. 1 spot for the 2010 World Cup in doubt, with Capello stating he would only consider players who were 100% fit for his squad.<ref>[1] Template:Webarchive</ref> After the World Cup qualifier against Ukraine on 1 April 2009, James did not start a match for England until the final friendly before the World Cup against Japan on 30 May 2010.<ref>[2].</ref>

Prior to the tournament, James was backed to reclaim the number one shirt by former England goalkeepers Gordon Banks<ref>David James should start for England at World Cup, says Gordon Banks Template:Webarchive guardian.co.uk, 19 May 2010</ref> and David Seaman.<ref>David Seaman exclusive: Why David James must be England's World Cup goalkeeper – The Big Interview Template:Webarchive mirrorfootball.co.uk, 12 March 2010</ref>

On 3 June 2010, it was confirmed that James would be travelling to the World Cup Finals in South Africa, and would be allocated the number 1 jersey. He was the oldest footballer in the tournament.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> James was not selected for the first game of the World Cup against the United States, with Robert Green instead starting in the England goal. However, Green made an error that allowed Clint Dempsey to score an equaliser that resulted in the game being drawn.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> James returned to the starting line-up in the next game, keeping a clean sheet against Algeria on 18 June 2010. In doing so James became the oldest ever World Cup debutant at 39 years and 321 days old.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Five days later, he kept another clean sheet as England won against Slovenia 1–0 to ensure that they would reach the last 16, although they finished second in Group C behind the United States.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> They were eliminated in the following round after a 4–1 defeat to Germany.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Style of play

James was an aggressive and imposing goalkeeper, who was known for his excellent shot-stopping ability and ability to produce long throws, as well as his professionalism, leadership, and ability to organise his defence; however, he also came under criticism in the media for his perceived poor decision–making and distribution with his feet, although he was able to improve upon this aspect of his game as his career progressed. His ability to claim crosses was also cited as a weakness in his gameplay. His inconsistency and error–prone performances led to him being nicknamed "Calamity James" in the media. In his youth, his role model was Italian goalkeeper Dino Zoff.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> James was also known for his penalty-stopping abilities.<ref name="best penalty savers in Premier League history"/>

Coaching career

Commenting on the comparatively low numbers of black players who become managers in English football, James said in 2012 that "I struggle with the racist issue in football because I don't see it, and that's not because I've got my head in the sand. In the earlier days, yes, but the game's changed...If you don't want to go, an [sic] moan about not getting jobs, well, probably because you haven't been on the course is the reason why you haven't got a job."<ref name=black/>

ÍBV

James served as a player-coach for manager Hermann Hreiðarsson at ÍBV in the Icelandic Úrvalsdeild karla during the 2013 season.

Luton Town

Following his stint at ÍBV, James joined Luton Town in October 2013 in a coaching capacity in order to gain experience towards a UEFA A-licence qualification.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Kerala Blasters

James was the player-manager of Kerala Blasters FC in the Indian Super League 2014 season.<ref name="KB"/> Utilising a distinctly British identity, signing players such as Stephen Pearson and Michael Chopra, he took them to the ISL playoffs at the first attempt, after a 4th-place finish in the league phase. In the playoffs, extra time was needed to see off Chennaiyin 4–3 on aggregate, taking James and Kerala Blasters to the 2014 Indian Super League final, only to lose 1–0 to Atlético de Kolkata. James left the club at the end of his contract.

James returned to the helm of the club as their head coach a day after the sacking of Rene Meulensteen on 3 January 2018, following a string of poor performances.<ref name="auto"/> He set about rebuilding the side in the January transfer window, releasing Mark Sifneos and signing Iceland international midfielder Guðjón Baldvinsson on loan from Stjarnan, along with appointing former Portsmouth teammate Hermann Hreiðarsson as his assistant. Despite overseeing a turnaround in form, he could only guide the Blasters to 6th place at the end the 2017–18 Indian Super League season, missing out on the play-offs.

The club started the 2018–19 Indian Super League season with a victory, beating ATK 2–0 at Salt Lake Stadium.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> However this was followed by an 11-match winless run, which resulted in James' sacking in December 2018<ref name="Goal"/>

Þróttur Vogum

In July 2020, James served as an assistant coach to Hermann Hreiðarsson with Icelandic club Þróttur Vogum for one game.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Personal life

James in 2005

James was brought up in Welwyn Garden City, attending the Sir Frederic Osborn School.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He is of mixed Jamaican and English descent, and spent part of his childhood in Jamaica.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He has four children with his former wife Tanya,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> whom he divorced in 2005, and as of June 2007 lived in Chudleigh, Devon with his partner, Amanda Salmon.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

James has gained attention for modelling assignments, first with Giorgio Armani in 1995,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and with H&M in 2005.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

James was known for experimenting with his hairstyle. In May 2007, a "Who Ate All the Pies" column ridiculed him, among David Beckham and others,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> for "backcombed efforts",<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and likened a previous November 2006 cut to fictional character Clark Kent,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> both captured by BBC Match of the Day.

During the 2003 off-season, James was a guest at the training camp of American football team the Miami Dolphins, where he studied their training and conditioning methods.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

James was a 20-a-day smoker during his early career, having taken up the habit while sidelined with injury at the age of 15 and quit for the new millennium. He fronted an anti-smoking campaign in 2008.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Charity work

In 2005, James visited the south eastern African nation of Malawi to help raise AIDS awareness.<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Dead link</ref> He subsequently set up the David James Foundation in order to help maize farmers in Malawi develop more efficient production techniques.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The foundation also aims to give teenagers the skills, such as mechanical and construction skills, needed to go out and work. James has also made connections with West Exe Technology College, Exeter. This college has brought to his attention the Malawian charity, Friends of Mulanje Orphans.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The foundation funds the David James Foundation Scholarship at the University of Westminster, which funds a student from Malawi to study for a master's degree at Westminster.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The charity has been supported by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE).<ref name="chem">FA Cup winner unites with chemical engineers to tackle povertyTemplate:Dead link – icheme.org, 22 May 2008, Retrieved on 29 November 2008</ref> James is also a global ambassador for the Special Olympics and works with Access Sport to provide sports provision in deprived areas of the United Kingdom.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In March 2024, James played for AFC Hutwood against Madeinheath United in the City of Southampton Sunday Football League Division One as a goodwill gesture after the club donated a number of football boots to the Football Rebooted charity of which he was an ambassador.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He played the first half in goal and the second half outfield, scoring the winner with a free kick in a 2–1 victory.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Art and writing

James is an artist, and has auctioned several of his paintings for charity.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He was the featured painter in episode three of the fourth series of Extraordinary Portraits, when he painted Gill Sayell.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> James also illustrated the children's book Harry's Magic Pockets: The Circus written by his friend, Steve Pearson.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

He writes a regular column for The Observer newspaper, and donates his article fee to charity.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Bankruptcy

In May 2014, James was declared bankrupt. Despite earning an estimated £20m from his footballing career, owning several properties and having a lucrative contract modeling for Armani, James' debts had built up since his divorce from his wife, Tanya, in 2005.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In November 2014, James placed for sale hundreds of items of football memorabilia collected during his career, to pay off the debts. Items included 150 signed shirts, shorts and match balls as well as his customised Vauxhall Astra van and Raleigh Chopper bikes.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Media career

Football broadcasting

Shortly before Euro 2012, James presented a BBC programme entitled Euro's Most Shocking Moments alongside Richard Bacon.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He was also a pundit for the channel at the tournament in Poland and Ukraine.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

James was one of BT Sport's first pundits in 2013.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> James worked as a pundit for Eurosport at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and for India's Sony Ten at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On 6 June 2021, James presented Football Scores with David James on classical music radio station Scala Radio.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Contests and game shows

James was a contestant on the seventeenth series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2019.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He was partnered with Nadiya Bychkova and was the fourth celebrity to be eliminated after a dance-off with Mike Bushell and Katya Jones.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

James has been a guest on television game shows, including Countdown (2016),<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Go 8 Bit (2016),<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Richard Osman's House of Games (2020),<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Celebrity Catchphrase (2021),<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Taskmaster (2024)<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and Beat the Chasers (2024).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In March 2021, James won £1,250 for a homeless people's charity on Pointless Celebrities.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2022, James competed on Celebrity Mastermind with his specialist subject being the artist Roy Lichtenstein.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In that same year he appeared on a Soccer Aid edition of The Chase: Celebrity Special, breaking the celebrity record for most questions answered during the cash-builder segment of the show.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He made another appearance on The Chase: Celebrity Special in 2023.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Career statistics

Club

citation

CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Club	Season	League			National CupTemplate:Efn		League Cup		Continental		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Watford	1990–91	Second Division	46	0	1	0	2	0	—		0	0	49	0
	1991–92	Second Division	43	0	1	0	4	0	—		1Template:Efn	0	49	0
	Total		89	0	2	0	6	0	—		1	0	98	0
Liverpool	1992–93	Premier League	29	0	0	0	1	0	1Template:Efn	0	—		31	0
	1993–94	Premier League	14	0	0	0	0	0	—		—		14	0
	1994–95	Premier League	42	0	7	0	8	0	—		—		57	0
	1995–96	Premier League	38	0	7	0	4	0	4Template:Efn	0	—		53	0
	1996–97	Premier League	38	0	2	0	4	0	8Template:Efn	0	—		52	0
	1997–98	Premier League	27	0	1	0	5	0	4Template:Efn	0	—		37	0
	1998–99	Premier League	26	0	2	0	0	0	5Template:Efn	0	—		33	0
	Total		214	0	19	0	22	0	22	0	—		277	0
Aston Villa	1999–2000	Premier League	29	0	5	0	5	0	—		—		39	0
	2000–01	Premier League	38	0	3	0	1	0	4Template:Efn	0	—		46	0
	Total		67	0	8	0	6	0	4	0	—		85	0
West Ham United	2001–02	Premier League	26	0	3	0	0	0	—		—		29	0
	2002–03	Premier League	38	0	2	0	2	0	—		—		42	0
	2003–04	Championship	27	0	1	0	3	0	—		—		31	0
	Total		91	0	6	0	5	0	—		—		102	0
Manchester City	2003–04	Premier League	17	0	—		—		—		—		17	0
	2004–05	Premier League	38	0	1	0	0	0	—		—		39	0
	2005–06	Premier League	38	0	5	0	1	0	—		—		44	0
	Total		93	0	6	0	1	0	—		—		100	0
Portsmouth	2006–07	Premier League	38	0	2	0	1	0	—		—		41	0
	2007–08	Premier League	35	0	6	0	1	0	—		—		42	0
	2008–09	Premier League	36	0	3	0	1	0	5Template:Efn	0	1Template:Efn	0	46	0
	2009–10	Premier League	25	0	4	0	0	0	—		—		29	0
	Total		134	0	15	0	3	0	5	0	1	0	158	0
Bristol City	2010–11	Championship	45	0	1	0	0	0	—		—		46	0
	2011–12	Championship	36	0	1	0	1	0	—		—		38	0
	Total		81	0	2	0	1	0	—		—		84	0
AFC Bournemouth	2012–13	League One	19	0	0	0	—		—		—		19	0
ÍBV	2013	Úrvalsdeild	17	0	2	0	—		4Template:Efn	0	—		23	0
Kerala Blasters	2014	Indian Super League	12	0	—		—		—		—		12	0
Career total			817	0	60	0	44	0	35	0	2	0	958	0

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year<ref>Template:NFT player</ref>

National team	Year	Apps	Goals
England	1997	1	0
	2000	1	0
	2001	3	0
	2002	5	0
	2003	11	0
	2004	9	0
	2005	3	0
	2006	1	0
	2007	1	0
	2008	10	0
	2009	4	0
	2010	4	0
Total		53	0

Managerial

Team	Nat	From	To	Record
				G	W	D	L	Win %
Kerala Blasters	Template:Flagicon	20 August 2014	20 December 2014
Kerala Blasters	Template:Flagicon	3 January 2018	28 December 2018
Total

Honours

Liverpool

• Football League Cup: 1994–95<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Portsmouth

• FA Cup: 2007–08;<ref name=SW>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> runner-up: 2009–10<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

AFC Bournemouth

• Football League One runner-up: 2012–13

Individual

• Toulon Tournament Best Goalkeeper: 1991<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

• PFA Team of the Year: 1991–92 Second Division,<ref name=Lynch149>Template:Cite book</ref> 1995–96 Premier League,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> 2007–08 Premier League<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

See also

• List of men's footballers with the most official appearances

External links

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• Template:Soccerbase
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• David James index at Sportingheroes.net Template:Webarchive
• BBC profile
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