van_der_gouw_raimond
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| Name: Raimond van der Gouw |
Nationality: Holland |
| Position: goalkeeper |
Signing Information: Transferred from: Vitesse Arnhem, 01/07/1996, £500,000 |
| Birthdate: 24-03-1963 |
Years at Club: 1996-2002 |
| Age: (61) |
Debut: 21/09/1996 v Aston Villa (A) 0-0 (Premiership) |
| Birthplace: Oldenzaal, Netherlands |
Previous clubs: Go Ahead Eagles, Vitesse Arnhem |
| Height: 6' 3" (1.91m) |
Farewell to Manchester United: Transferred to West Ham United, 06/2002, £Free |
| Weight: 13st 7lbs (85.73kg) |
Passed Away: |
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Raimond van der Gouw is a former Dutch footballer best known for his role as Manchester United’s reliable backup goalkeeper. Despite rarely being the first-choice keeper, van der Gouw was highly valued for his professionalism, experience, and ability to step in during crucial moments, particularly during Manchester United’s dominant era under Sir Alex Ferguson. He was a part of the squad during several Premier League title wins and contributed to United’s success in the 1999 treble-winning season.
Early Career and Move to Manchester United
Van der Gouw began his career in the Netherlands, playing for clubs such as Go Ahead Eagles and Vitesse Arnhem, where he established himself as a solid and dependable goalkeeper. His performances in the Eredivisie attracted the attention of Manchester United, and in 1996, at the age of 33, he signed for the Premier League giants as backup to Peter Schmeichel.
Career at Manchester United (1996–2002)
Although van der Gouw spent the majority of his time as a second-choice goalkeeper behind United legends like Peter Schmeichel and later Fabien Barthez, he was called upon during several important moments and always delivered when needed. His calm demeanor, experience, and shot-stopping abilities made him a dependable option for Sir Alex Ferguson during critical periods.
Key Achievements at Manchester United:
Premier League Titles: Van der Gouw was part of the Manchester United squad that won two Premier League titles in 1997 and 2000. While he was primarily a backup, he made valuable contributions, keeping clean sheets in several games when called upon.
1999 Treble-Winning Season: Although van der Gouw was not the primary goalkeeper during the 1999 treble campaign, he played a role as a dependable backup to Peter Schmeichel during one of Manchester United’s most successful periods.
FA Cups and Domestic Success: He also won the FA Cup with United in 1999 as part of the treble, adding domestic cup triumphs to his honors at the club.
Role and Playing Style
Van der Gouw’s role at Manchester United was as a steady, experienced backup goalkeeper, trusted by Ferguson to step in when needed, especially during injury crises or in cup competitions. His positional awareness, shot-stopping, and reliability under pressure made him an ideal reserve goalkeeper for a club of United’s stature. His professionalism and team-first attitude earned him the respect of his teammates and coaches.
Later Career and Coaching
After leaving Manchester United in 2002, van der Gouw had brief spells with West Ham United, RKC Waalwijk, and AGOVV Apeldoorn, before retiring from professional football in 2007. Following his retirement, van der Gouw transitioned into coaching, taking on goalkeeper coaching roles, including at Vitesse Arnhem, where he helped develop young goalkeepers in the Netherlands.
Legacy
Though Raimond van der Gouw was never Manchester United’s first-choice goalkeeper, he played an important role in one of the club’s most successful periods. His professionalism, dependability, and ability to perform when called upon made him a highly respected figure at Old Trafford. Van der Gouw’s time at United is a testament to the value of having experienced, reliable squad players who can step up during critical moments. His calm presence behind the scenes contributed to the club's overall success during the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Summary
Raimond van der Gouw served as Manchester United’s backup goalkeeper from 1996 to 2002, contributing to the club’s Premier League and FA Cup successes and being part of the legendary 1999 treble-winning squad. Known for his professionalism, shot-stopping ability, and leadership, van der Gouw was a dependable backup who stepped in during key moments. After retiring, he transitioned into coaching, continuing his involvement in football. |
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| League |
League Cup |
FA Cup |
Charity Shield |
European Cup |
Europa League |
Super Cup |
Cup Winners Cup |
Inter-Continental Cup |
World Clubs Cup |
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| No |
Season |
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Season
Goals |
Season
Apps |
| 1 |
1996-1997 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
| 2 |
1997-1998 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
| 3 |
1998-1999 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
8 |
| 4 |
1999-2000 |
0 |
14 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
23 |
| 5 |
2000-2001 |
0 |
10 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
15 |
| 6 |
2001-2002 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
| TOTALS |
0 |
37 |
0 |
9 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
11 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
60 |
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