Everton goalkeeper Richard Wright was set to start in the place of injured Nigel Martyn against Chelsea in an FA Cup game last week. But Wright stumbled into a sign warning players not to practice in the goalmouth — because of worn turf — and sprained his ankle, an injury that sidelines him for at least a month.
The Times of London pointed out that the incident marked the fourth time Wright injured himself in a pregame warmup.
The Times also recalled other odd injuries suffered by goalkeepers: Chris Woods (cut finger with penknife while trying to slice string off warmup pants); David Seaman (damaged knee ligaments while reaching for TV remote & injured shoulder while fishing); Alex Stepney (dislocated jaw while screaming at his defenders); Dave Beasant (injured foot by dropping salad dressing bottle on it); Volkan Demirel (fell while throwing jersey to fans and dislocated shoulder).
Then there's Spain goalkeeper Santiago Canizares, who missed the 2002 World Cup after breaking a bottle of aftershave in his training camp hotel room and severing a tendon in his foot with the broken glass.