Pavel Srniček

Newcastle United

Srníček made 30 appearances in the Czechoslovak First League for Baník Ostrava spanning the 1989–90 and 1990–91 seasons. He was signed for English side Newcastle United in January 1991 by manager Jim Smith for a fee of £350,000, being one of 23 players signed by Smith in a 2+1⁄2-year period as manager. Smith left just two months after Srníček's arrival. Under manager Ossie Ardiles, Srníček established himself as Newcastle's first-choice goalkeeper ahead of John Burridge and Tommy Wright. Srníček experienced difficulty in the first 15 games of the 1991–92 season, conceding 32 goals in that period including six in a single match against Tranmere Rovers. Ardiles replaced Srníček as goalkeeper with Wright and by February 1992, the club was merely one place from last in the Second Division. This led to Kevin Keegan replacing Ardiles as manager, with the club winning seven of their remaining 16 games, only managing to confirm their future status in the division with an away win against Leicester City on the last day of the season. The club started the 1992–93 season in the new Football League First Division, winning all of their first 11 matches. Wright lost his place as goalkeeper to Srníček after 14 games of the season. At the end of the season, Keegan's first full one as manager, the club was promoted to the Premier League with 96 points. 1993 saw the arrival of Mike Hooper from Liverpool, who competed with Srníček for the position of…

Srníček went to Euro 1996, but was reserve goalkeeper behind Petr Kouba. Following the tournament, he played 15 consecutive matches for his native Czech Republic, establishing himself as first-choice goalkeeper. He was first choice at the 1997 FIFA Confederations Cup, in which the Czechs came third. Srníček played in all three of the Czech Republic's matches at Euro 2000. He made a number of saves in his team's opening match against the Netherlands, although he was unable to stop a late penalty as Frank De Boer scored the only goal of the game in the 89th minute. Srníček retired from international football in November 2001, following his nation's failure to qualify for the 2002 FIFA World Cup. He finished his international career with a total of 49 senior appearances between 1994 and 2001.

Srníček began the Srníček school of goalkeeping in Czech Republic offering youngsters from around the world the opportunity to learn from his coaching. He was also involved in a number of charity organisations. On 4 January 2012, Sparta Prague appointed Srníček to their coaching staff.

Srníček was the son of a woodcutter. His working life started with a period of service in the Czechoslovak People's Army. In December 2015, he returned to Tyneside to promote his autobiography, Pavel is a Geordie.