USL W-League

150px
Countries	United States  Canada
Confederation	US Soccer
Founded	1995
Divisions	5
Number of teams	30
Levels on pyramid	2
Promotion to	None
Relegation to	None
Current champions	Atlanta Silverbacks Women
Most championships	Boston Renegades Long Island Lady Riders Pali Blues Raleigh Wings Vancouver Whitecaps Women (2 titles each)
TV partners	Fox Soccer Channel
Website	Official site in English
W-League 2011

The USL W-League is a national women's soccer league in the United States and Canada on the 2nd level of women's soccer in the United States soccer pyramid, alongside the Women's Premier Soccer League and below Women's Professional Soccer.

The W-League is recognized as North America’s main women’s developmental organization.^[1] The W-League is also an open league, giving college players the opportunity to play alongside established international players while maintaining their collegiate eligibility. The league is administered by the United Soccer Leagues system (the USL), which also oversees the men's USL Pro and USL Premier Development League.

History[link]

The W-League's inaugural season was in 1995. Originally called the United States Interregional Women's League, it later changed its name to the W-League. Although at its inception some of the league's franchises were barely above amateur level, it provided a professional outlet for many of the top female soccer players in the country. With professionals driving the level of play, the league made a very strong debut performance.

From 1995 through the 1997 season the W-League was a single tier format (all teams at the same division). This changed before the 1998 season when the W-League became a two tier league. The top tier/division was called W-1 and lower division, W-2. This division was in effect through the 2001 season - the first year of the new US Women's first division league WUSA. The W-League returned to a single tier format in the 2002 season, and remains as such.

2012 Teams[link]

Eastern Conference[link]

Atlantic Division[link]

• Dayton Dutch Lions WFC  USA (2011-)
• D.C. United Women  USA (2011- )
• Fredericksburg Impact  USA (2011-)
• Hampton Roads Piranhas  USA (1995-)
• Northern Virginia Majestics  USA (1999-)

Northeast Division[link]

• Long Island Rough Riders  USA (1995-)
• New Jersey Rangers  USA (2010-)
• New Jersey Wildcats  USA (1996-)
• New York Magic  USA (1997-)
• North Jersey Valkyries  USA (2010-)

Southeast Division[link]

• Atlanta Silverbacks Women  USA (2005-)
• Central SC Cobras  USA (2012-)
• Charlotte Lady Eagles  USA (2000-)
• FC JAX Destroyers  USA (2012-)
• VSI Tampa Flames  USA (2012-)

Central Conference[link]

Central Division[link]

• Hamilton FC Rage  CAN (2011-, Hamilton Avalanche 2006-2010)
• Laval Comets  CAN (2006-)
• London Gryphons  CAN (2004-)
• Ottawa Fury Women  CAN (2003-)
• Quebec City Amiral SC  CAN (2009-)
• Rochester Ravens  USA (2009-, Rochester Rhinos Women 2004-2008, Rochester Ravens 1996-2003)
• Toronto Lady Lynx  CAN (2005-)

Western Conference[link]

Western Division[link]

• Colorado Rapids Women  USA (2012-, Fort Collins Force 1997-2008, Colorado Force 2009-2011)
• Colorado Rush  United States (2010-)
• LA Strikers  USA (2011-)
• Pali Blues  USA (2008-)
• Santa Clarita Blue Heat  USA (2010, Ventura County Fusion 2008-2009)
• Seattle Sounders Women  USA (2001-)
• Vancouver Whitecaps Women  CAN (2001-)
• Victoria Highlanders Women  CAN (2011-)

Former members[link]

• Alabama Angels  AL (1996–1998)
• Albuquerque Crush  NM (2002)
• Arizona Heatwave  AZ (1995, 2001–2005)
• Asheville Splash  NC (2002–2004)
• Atlanta Classics  GA (1997–2000)
• Austin Lady Lone Stars  TX (1999–2000)
• Bradenton Athletics  FL (2004–2008)
• Boston Renegades  MA (1996–2009, Boston Tornado 1995)
• Buffalo Fillies  NY (1996–1998)
• Buffalo Flash  NY (2009–2010) - (left to Women's Professional Soccer)
• Calgary Wildfire  AB (2004)
• California Storm  CA (1997, Sacramento Storm 1995-1996) - (left to Women's Premier Soccer League)
• Carolina Dynamo  NC (2004–2006, 2008, Greensboro Twisters 2002-2003, Piedmont Spark 1999-2001)
• Cary Lady Clarets  NC (2009, Carolina RailHawks Women 2008)
• Central Jersey Splash  NJ (1997–1999)
• Central Florida Krush  FL (2005–2006)
• Charlotte Speed  NC (1998–1999, Carolina Speed 1997)
• Chicago Red Eleven  IL (2009–2010), Chicago Gaels 2005-2008, Chicago Cobras 1996-2004)
• Cincinnati Ladyhawks  OH (2000–2006)
• Cincinnati Leopards  OH (1995)
• Cleveland Eclipse  OH (1996–2001)
• Cleveland Internationals Women  OH (2004–2010) - (left to Women's League Soccer)
• Cocoa Expos Women  FL (2006–2007) - (left to Women's Premier Soccer League)
• Columbus Lady Shooting Stars  OH (2003–2004)
• Columbus Ziggx  OH (1995–1998)
• Connecticut Lady Wolves  CT (1995–1998)
• Connecticut Passion  CT (2008–2009)
• Dallas Lightning  TX (1996–1997, Texas Lightning 1995)
• Delaware Genies  DE (1997–2000)
• Denver Diamonds  CO (1996–2000) - (left to Women's Premier Soccer League)
• Edmonton Aviators Women  AB (2004)
• FC Indiana  IN (2008–2009) - (left to Women's League Soccer)
• Finger Lakes Heartbreakers  NY (1998)
• Fort Wayne Fever  IN (2004–2009)
• Fredericksburg Lady Gunners  VA (2007–2008)
• Gulf Coast Chaos  MS (1997)
• Houston Tornadoes TX (1999–2001)
• Hudson Valley Quickstrike Lady Blues  NY (2009–2010), Jersey Sky Blue 2007-2008)
• Indiana Blaze  IN (1997–2001)
• Jackson Chargers  MS (1998–1999, Jackson Calypso 1997)
• Jacksonville Jade  FL (1999–2002)
• Kalamazoo Quest  MI (1998–1999)
• Kalamazoo Outrage  MI (2008–2010)
• Kansas City Mystics  KS (2001–2002)
• Kentucky Fillies  KY (2000–2002)
• Laval Dynamites  QC (1997–2001)
• Lehigh Valley Cougars  PA (1996)
• Los Angeles Legends  CA (2008–2009)
• Madison Freeze  WI (1996–1997)
• Maryland Pride  MD (1996–2002, Baltimore Bays 1995) - (left to Women's Premier Soccer League)
• Mass Bay Crusaders  MA (1995)
• Memphis Mercury  TN (2001–2002)
• Miami Gliders  FL (1998–1999)
• Michigan Hawks  MI (2006–2008, Detroit Jaguars 2004-2005)
• Mile High Edge  CO (2005–2007, Mile High Mustangs 2001-2004)
• Minnesota Lightning  MN (2006–2009)
• Montreal Xtreme  QC (2004)
• New Brunswick Power  NJ (2000)
• New Hampshire Lady Phantoms  NH (1998–2006)
• New Jersey Lady Stallions  NJ (1998–2004)
• Norcal Shockwaves  CA (1996–1997)
• North Texas Heat  TX (1999–2000)
• Northern Kentucky TC Stars  KY (2002–2003)
• Oklahoma Outrage  OK (2000–2002)
• Orlando Ladyhawks  FL (1998)
• Philadelphia Frenzy  PA (1996–97, Pennsylvania Freedom 1995)
• Portland Rain  OR (2001) - (left to Women's Premier Soccer League)
• Raleigh Wings  NC (1998–2000)
• Rhode Island Lady Stingrays  RI (1996, 2004, Rhode Island Rays 1997-02, Rhode Island Stingrays 2005)
• Richmond Kickers Destiny  VA (2004–2009)
• Rockford Dactyls  IL (1995–2000)
• San Diego Sunwaves  CA (2007, San Diego Gauchos Women 2005-2006)
• San Diego Top Guns  CA (1995–1996)
• San Francisco Night Hawks  CA (1996–97, San Francisco Vikings 1995)
• Silicon Valley Red Devils  CA (1996–1997)
• South Jersey Banshees  NJ (2001–2006)
• Southern California Nitemares  CA (1995–1996)
• Springfield Sirens  MA (1999–2001)
• St. Louis Archers  MO (2004) - (left to Women's Premier Soccer League)
• Sudbury Canadians  ON (2004–2006)
• Tampa Bay Hellenic  FL (2008–2010) - (left to Women's Premier Soccer League)
• Tampa Bay Xtreme  FL (1997–2002)
• Texas Odyssey  TX (2001)
• Toronto Inferno  ON (1999–2004)
• Tulsa Roughnecks  OK (1995)
• Vermont Lady Voltage  VT (2005–2008)
• Washington Freedom Futures  DC (2010), Washington Freedom Reserves 2009, Washington Freedom 2006-2008)
• Western Mass Lady Pioneers  MA (2004–2009)
• West Virginia Illusion  WV (2008)
• Wichita Lady Blues  KS (1995)
• Windy City Bluez  IL (2001–2004)

Past Champions[link]

For 1998 through 2001 the W-League was divided into two divisions: W-1 (the top division) W-2 (the lower division). The numbers in parentheses indicate the number of titles a club has won if they have won multiple titles

• 2011 Atlanta Silverbacks Women 6-1 Ottawa Fury
• 2010 Buffalo Flash 3-1 Vancouver Whitecaps Women
• 2009 Pali Blues (2) 2-1 Washington Freedom Reserves
• 2008 Pali Blues 2-1 FC Indiana
• 2007 Washington Freedom 3-1 Atlanta Silverbacks Women
• 2006 Vancouver Whitecaps Women (2) 3-0 Ottawa Fury Women
• 2005 New Jersey Wildcats 3-0 Ottawa Fury Women
• 2004 Vancouver Whitecaps Women 0-0 (4-2 PSO) New Jersey Wildcats
• 2003 Hampton Roads Piranhas 1-0 Chicago Cobras
• 2002 Boston Renegades (2) 3-0 Charlotte Lady Eagles

• 2001
  • W-1: Boston Renegades 5-1 Vancouver Whitecaps Women
  • W-2: Charlotte Lady Eagles 3-1 Memphis Mercury

• 2000
  • W-1: Chicago Cobras 1-1 (4-2 PSO) Raleigh Wings
  • W-2: Springfield Sirens 2-1 Charlotte Lady Eagles

• 1999
  • W-1: Raleigh Wings (2) 3 -2 Chicago Cobras (OT)
  • W-2: North Texas 5-1 Springfield Sirens

• 1998
  • W-1: Raleigh Wings 4-3 Boston Renegades
  • W-2: Fort Collins Force 3-1 Hampton Roads Piranhas

• 1997 Long Island Lady Riders (2) 2-1 Chicago Cobras (OT)
• 1996 Maryland Pride 3-0 Dallas Lightning
• 1995 Long Island Lady Riders 3-0 Southern California Nitemares

References[link]

External links[link]

• W-League website

Sarah Walsh

Personal information
Full name	Sarah Walsh
Date of birth	(1983-01-11) 11 January 1983 (age 29)
Place of birth	Camden, New South Wales, Australia
Height	1.57 m (5 ft 2 in)
Playing position	Forward
Club information
Current club	Sydney FC
Number	9
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
–2008	NSW Institute of Sport
2008	Pali Blues	0	(0)
2008–2009	Sydney FC	2	(0)
2009	Sky Blue FC	5	(1)
2009	Saint Louis Athletica	6	(0)
2009–	Sydney FC	11	(8)
National team‡
2004–	Australia	62	(29)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 10 June 2010. † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 3 July 2011

Sarah Walsh (born 11 January 1983, in Camden, New South Wales) is an Australian football (soccer) forward currently playing for Sydney FC of Australia's W-League and is a member of the Australia women's national association football team.

Walsh was selected in the first round of the Women's Professional Soccer league's international draft in 2009 by Sky Blue FC. On 26 June 2009, Walsh was dealt to the Saint Louis Athletica.^[1][2] She had played in 5 games, 4 of them being starts (351 minutes) before being traded. She also added a goal and an assist for Sky Blue FC.

She has represented Australia at the 2004 Olympics, 2006 AFC Women's Asian Cup and the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Walsh is also part of the Professional Footballers Association's Matildas Delegates’ Committee alongside Melissa Barbieri, Lauren Colthorpe, Heather Garriock and Kate McShea. On 20 January 2010, the Committee and Football Federation Australia announced a new pay deal for the Matildas to take them through to the 2010 AFC Women's Asian Cup football.^[3]

In June 2011, Walsh was on the cover of the Australian FourFourTwo Magazine along with fellow Matildas Melissa Barbieri, Sam Kerr, Kyah Simon and Thea Slatyer.

Honours[link]

Walsh playing for Australia

With Sydney FC:

• W-League Premiership: 2009
• W-League Championship: 2009

With Australia

• AFC Women's Asian Cup Winners: 2010

References[link]

External links[link]

• Sarah Walsh – FIFA competition record
• Australia Football player profile
• Sydney FC player profile
• Saint Louis Athletica player profile
• Institute of Sport player profile

v t e Australia squad – 2004 Summer Olympics (Women's Football) 1 Kell 2 Davies 3 Wainwright 4 Alagich 5 Salisbury 6 Shipard 7 Walsh 8 Garriock 9 Ledbrook 10 Peters 11 de Vanna 12 Reuter 13 Slatyer 14 Foster 15 Karp 16 Kuralay 17 Small 18 Barbieri Coach: Santrac

v t e Australia squad – 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup 1 Barbieri 2 McShea 3 Ferguson 4 Alagich 5 Salisbury 6 Davies 7 Garriock 8 Munoz 9 Walsh 10 Peters 11 de Vanna 12 Gill 13 Slatyer 14 McCallum 15 Shipard 16 Colthorpe 17 Small 18 Williams 19 Polkinghorne 20 Burgess 21 Wirkus Coach: Sermanni

v t e Australia squad – 2010 AFC Women's Asian Cup Winners (1st title) 1 Barbieri 3 Reuter 4 Polkinghorne 5 Colthorpe 6 Uzunlar 7 Garriock 9 Walsh 10 Ledbrook 11 De Vanna 12 Gill 13 Slatyer 14 McCallum 15 Shipard 16 Kellond-Knight 17 Simon 18 Williams 19 Khamis 22 Kerr 23 Carroll 24 Butt 25 Dumont 27 Luik 31 Allen Coach: Sermanni

This biographical article related to women's association football in Australia is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v t e

Charles Joseph John "Joe" Hart (born 19 April 1987) is an English football goalkeeper who plays for Premier League club Manchester City and the England national football team and was previously a regular for the England under-21 team. Having made his competitive international debut in September 2010, Hart is now recognised as England's first choice goalkeeper.^[3]

Hart was nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year in 2010 but lost out to eventual new team-mate at Manchester City, James Milner but was voted as the Premier League goalkeeper of the 2009–10 season in recognition of his performances at Birmingham City. He returned to Manchester City for the 2010–11 season and won the Barclays Golden Glove for keeping the most clean sheets throughout the Premier League season, an award he received again in the 2011-12 season.^[4]

Club career[link]

Shrewsbury Town[link]

Hart was born in Shrewsbury, Shropshire to Charles and Louise Hart ^[5], and attended Oxon Primary School, followed by Meole Brace School Science College in Shrewsbury, where he was Head Boy in his final year.^[6] Whilst he was still a Year 11 pupil at the school, he travelled with the first team squad of his hometown club, Shrewsbury Town, to Exeter City on 1 February 2003. He was a non-playing substitute on that occasion and fulfilled that role again versus Rochdale at Gay Meadow on 1 March 2003, still some six weeks short of his 16th birthday. This match yielded Shrewsbury's final victory in a season that culminated in relegation to the Conference. During the one season that Shrewsbury spent in the Conference, Hart made his senior debut on 20 April 2004, a day after his 17th birthday. He played the full 90 minutes in the match against Gravesend & Northfleet. Four days later, he conceded three at Morecambe.

Hart did not play again until April of the following year, as Scott Howie dominated goalkeeping duties. With Shrewsbury back in the Football League (the newly-renamed League Two) and struggling, Hart played six matches, conceding four goals.

From the start of the 2005–06 season, Hart made the step up into the first team, and became the club's first choice goalkeeper, claiming the number 1 shirt. He played a full 46 match league season, conceding 55 goals. Despite conceding more than one goal per game, Hart won plaudits for his personal performances, winning his first England U-19 cap in October 2005, as a substitute against Poland.

Hart also found admirers in the Premiership, with several top-flight scouts attending matches. On 30 November 2005, the Shropshire Star newspaper reported that Everton goalkeeping coach Chris Woods had been present at Town's previous league match, a 4–3 loss at Rochdale. boss Gary Peters said "Everton have been to watch him, but you could say the same about Arsenal, Chelsea and every other team in the Premiership". Speculation about his future continued for the duration of the season, and with the presence of their goalkeeping coach Tim Flowers at several matches, Manchester City became the most likely of his suitors.

On 7 February 2006, Hart was announced as the top League Two player in the PFA Fans' Player of the Month Awards for January 2006.^[7] Football fans voted him as the best player in the division via the PFA's website. At the PFA Awards ceremony on 23 March 2006, it was announced that Hart had been voted as League Two's best goalkeeper for 2005–06 by his fellow professionals, earning him a place in the PFA League Two Team of the Year.^[8]

Manchester City[link]

With Hart in Belgium preparing to make his fifth appearance for the England U19 squad, in the Elite qualifying round for the 2006 UEFA U-19 Championship,^[9] it was announced that his move to Manchester City had been completed.^[10] England lost the match to Serbia and Montenegro and failed to qualify.

On 22 May 2006, City paid an initial £600,000 for Hart, rising £1,500,000 if undisclosed clauses were achieved.^[11] Hart made his debut for City on 14 October 2006 after injuries ruled out Andreas Isaksson and Nicky Weaver for the Premier League match against Sheffield United. He kept a clean sheet in the match, which finished goalless.

Loaned to Tranmere Rovers and then Blackpool[link]

Hart spent the whole month of January 2007 on loan to League One club Tranmere Rovers. He made 6 appearances and conceded 8 goals. He was then named in his then-club manager Stuart Pearce's first squad in his part-time role as England U21 coach, alongside another goalkeeper uncapped at U21 level, Ben Alnwick. He was not chosen to start the match on 6 February 2007 against Spain, but did come on as a substitute late in the game.

In April 2007, Hart joined Blackpool on loan as cover for the injured trio of Rhys Evans, Paul Rachubka and Lewis Edge. He kept a clean sheet in a 2–0 win for Blackpool at Huddersfield Town on 9 April 2007, in his first game for the Seasiders.^[12] Blackpool won all five games in which Hart appeared, including a 6–3 win at Swansea City in his final game.^[13]

Return to Manchester City[link]

Hart playing for Manchester City in 2008

On his return from a successful loan spell at Blackpool, former Manchester City manager, Sven-Göran Eriksson, named Hart as Manchester City's number 1 ahead of Andreas Isaksson. After his performance against Newcastle United, Eriksson touted him as "one of the biggest talents in this country as a goalkeeper", and that he had the potential to become an England international in the future.^[14] Only months later, he made his England debut against Trinidad and Tobago on 1 June 2008. In October, he was inducted to Shropshire Schools & Colleges Football Association’s Hall of Fame along with good friend and former teammate David Edwards in recognition of their achievements.^[15] Later that month, he signed a new five-year contract.^[16]

After Isaksson's departure to PSV Eindhoven, Hart took the vacant number 1 jersey when the official squad numbers for the 2008–09 season were announced. However, his position as first-choice keeper was taken by Shay Given upon the Irishman's arrival at the club in January 2009.

Loan to Birmingham City[link]

Hart at Birmingham City

Having played no games for City since Given's arrival, rumours began to emerge of a loan move away from Manchester.^[17] City secured the transfer of Stuart Taylor from Aston Villa on 23 June 2009,^[18] paving the way for Hart to leave. Manager Mark Hughes had been undecided about allowing the player to go out on loan as he was unwilling to sanction a permanent transfer.^{[citation needed]} The following day it was announced that Hart would spend the 2009–10 Premier League season on loan to newly-promoted Birmingham City.^[19] He made his debut in Birmingham's opening match of the season, a 1–0 defeat away to Manchester United.^[20] In the early part of the season, Hart made errors which cost his side goals, and Maik Taylor's clean sheet against Manchester City, a match for which Hart was ineligible, left manager Alex McLeish with a selection dilemma.^[21] McLeish chose Hart, who kept his place in the starting eleven as Birmingham went on a club-record 12-match unbeaten run in the top division^[22] and set a Premier League record by fielding the same starting eleven for nine consecutive games.^[23] His performances improved:^[24] against Chelsea in December, he "showed not only sharp judgment and reflexes, making three outstanding saves ... but a lack of fear also", despite needing staples in a gashed head sustained when diving at the feet of Salomon Kalou.^[25] Hart was voted Birmingham City's Player of the Year for 2009–10,^[26] and nominated for the 2010 PFA Young Player of the Year award alongside Wayne Rooney, Cesc Fàbregas and James Milner.^[27] Though Milner won that award, Hart earned a place in the PFA Team of the Year.^[28]

Return to Manchester City[link]

Joe Hart commanding his penalty area in 2011.

Joe Hart with team-mate, Kolo Touré in May 2012.

After a successful spell at Birmingham City, which earned him a place in the England squad for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Hart was chosen ahead of Shay Given to start the opening game of the 2010–11 season against Tottenham Hotspur. He produced a man-of-the-match performance, saving numerous challenging shots including a deflected effort from Benoît Assou-Ekotto, which helped City to draw the game 0–0.^[29] Hart also kept a clean sheet in Manchester City's 3–0 victory over Liverpool, where he was still first choice goalkeeper and made even more good saves, enhancing his reputation even further. Hart conceded his first goal of the season from a late penalty by Darren Bent in a 0–1 defeat at Sunderland.

Hart helped his team overcome Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-final by producing an excellent early save to deny Dimitar Berbatov the opening goal. The match ended 1–0 to City, thanks to a goal scored by Yaya Touré. Hart kept another clean sheet against Tottenham Hotspur to earn his team a place in the qualifying round of the Champions League for the first time, and another in the FA Cup final in which Manchester City beat Stoke City 1–0 with another goal from Yaya Touré.

Hart was awarded the Premier League Golden Glove award for the most number of clean sheets in the 2010–11 Premier League season (18). He also broke the Manchester City club record for the most clean sheets during a season (29), previously held by Nicky Weaver (26, but whilst the team was two divisions lower).^[30] At the official Manchester City awards Hart was awarded performance of the season for his excellent performance against Tottenham Hotspur in August 2010. Hart's position as City's "number one" was cemented when Given departed City for Aston Villa in July 2011.^[31] Hart won the Golden Glove award for the second year running in 2011–12, and helped City to win their first Premier League title, and first top-flight title for 44 years, which they clinched on the final day of the season by beating Queens Park Rangers 3–2.^[32][33]

International career[link]

Under-21[link]

Hart was selected by Stuart Pearce in the preliminary England Under-21 30-man squad for Euro 2007, and later made the final 23. In the team's final friendly before the finals, Hart was selected for his first Under-21 start, and played the full 90 minutes in a 5–0 win over Turkey at Carrow Road. However, Hart took no part in the finals, with Scott Carson playing in all of England's four fixtures.

Hart was recalled to the U21s and was first choice at the Euro 2009 finals. He started in the first two group stage matches and was rested for the last match as England had already sealed its passage to the knock-out stage. In the semifinal against Sweden, he conceded three goals in the second half as the match ended 3–3 after extra time but he made up for it by saving a penalty and scoring another as England won 5–4 on penalties. However he was suspended for the final^[34] after being controversially yellow-carded for leaving his line to talk to Mikael Lustig as the Swede stepped up to take the penalty.^[35]

Senior team[link]

Having been a regular in the England U21 squad, Hart was called up by Fabio Capello to the full England squad for the friendly matches against USA and Trinidad and Tobago. An unused substitute against USA, he made his debut against Trinidad and Tobago, on 1 June 2008 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain. He came on at half time for David James with England 2–0 up, eventually running out 3–0 winners.^[36] However, Hart's senior England debut did not earn Shrewsbury Town the expected bonus of £500,000 from Manchester City, as negotiated at part of his transfer in 2006, because it was not a competitive match.^[37]

Hart received a second call-up by Fabio Capello to face Czech Republic on 20 August 2008, but was not brought on. Hart was called up to the next England squad due to a drop-out from Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper Paul Robinson.^[38] On 8 November 2009, he was called up for a friendly against Brazil.^[39]

Capello named Hart in his provisional 30-man squad for the 2010 World Cup.^[40] Hart played the second half of both of England's warm-up games, replacing Robert Green against Mexico and James against Japan, and kept a clean sheet in each case.^[41][42] All three goalkeepers, Hart, Green and James, were included in the final 23-man selection.^[43]

Hart did not feature in the World Cup but started England's next match, a friendly against Hungary, to earn his fourth cap. He conceded his first England goal in dubious circumstances when the ball appeared not to have crossed the line from a deflection from Phil Jagielka, and made a vital late save from Zoltan Gera as England won 2–1.^[44] Hart was given his first competitive cap in a Euro 2012 Qualifier, a 4–0 win v Bulgaria at Wembley, making three crucial saves, one of which he palmed away and set up a counter attack for an England goal. He won another two caps in friendlies against World champions Spain, keeping a clean sheet in an England victory,^[45] and against Sweden, again keeping a clean sheet for a 1-0 England win.^[46]

In February 2012, some players^[47] and pundits^[48] backed Hart for England captaincy citing his strong performances and positive image.

Cricket[link]

Before he turned to football, Hart was a promising young cricket player with Shrewsbury CC and appeared for their first-team in the Birmingham and District Premier League between 2003–05,and also spent two years with the Academy of Worcestershire County Cricket Club, playing alongside England international Steven Davies.^[6]

Honours[link]

Club[link]

Blackpool

• League One Play-Offs (1): 2006–07

Manchester City

• FA Cup (1): 2010–11
• Premier League (1): 2011–12

Individual[link]

• Barclays Golden Glove (2): 2010–11, 2011–12
• PFA Premier League Team of the Year (2): 2009–10, 2011–12
• PFA League Two Team of the Year (1): 2005–06^[8]
• Birmingham City Player of the Year (1): 2009–10^[26]
• Manchester City Performance of the Season (1): 2010–11^[49]

Career statistics[link]

Club statistics[link]

As of match played 13 March 2012^[50]

Goalkeeper national stats[link]

As of 29 February 2012^[51]

References[link]