DOB: 11th
August 1966
Birthplace: St
Austell, Cornwall
Height: 6'1
Born in Cornwall, he
made over 100 league appearances for Bristol Rovers, before becoming the
country's first £1 million 'keeper, by joining Crystal Palace in 1989.
Leeds captured his signature in July 96, despite fierce competition from
Everton, paying £2.25 million - a record for a goalkeeper.
In his first season at Elland Road, he was outstanding as George Graham arrived
as the successor to the man who had signed him just two months earlier, Howard
Wilkinson.
His brilliant consistency saw him keep 23 clean sheets in 44 appearances and
force himself back into the international frame.
By the summer of 1998 Martyn had established his place as England's back up
keeper to David Seaman at the World Cup finals in France, despite not performing
quite as well as he had the previous season, when he had been voted Leeds United
player of the year.
The likeable and laid back goalie signed a three year extension to his United
contract in December 1998 and went on to produce another superb ever present
season in the 1999/2000 Leeds campaign.
Martyn's brilliant form helped United to third place in the Premiership and a
place in the Champions League and his super shows in the UEFA Cup - including
one memorable night in Rome when he shut out the AS Roma attack with string of
breathtaking saves - helped Leeds reach the semi-finals.
Currently pushing David Seaman to the limit for a place in the England side one
slip up by the Arsenal keeper will see Martyn take over the position so many
pundits believe he has rightly earned.
Nigel signed a new four year contract that will keep him at Elland Road until
2004, but he was injured in the early part of the 2000/2001 season, and after a
string of top performances by understudy Paul Robinson, he is currently fighting
to win his place back in the Leeds line-up.