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17 Facts About Craig Forrest

1.

Craig Lorne Forrest was born on 20 September 1967 and is a Canadian former professional soccer player and sports commentator.

2.

Craig Forrest made Premier League appearances for Ipswich Town, Chelsea and West Ham United, whilst spending time on loan in the Football League with Colchester United.

3.

Craig Forrest first tried goalkeeping when a friend could not make it to a game and he decided to play as a replacement.

4.

Craig Forrest began playing with Coquitlam Bel-Aire City and played for the BC U-16 and U-18 provincial teams.

5.

Craig Forrest was scouted by scouts from England and, in 1984, he travelled to England, signing a two-year apprenticeship deal with Ipswich Town at the age of 17 and soon after was training with the English national youth team.

6.

Craig Forrest joined English league side Ipswich Town in 1984 and remained with the club until 1997, making 263 league appearances.

7.

Craig Forrest remained loyal to the club despite their relegation at the end of that season, and stayed there for another two seasons.

8.

Craig Forrest went on loan to Chelsea from Ipswich in 1997, playing in the same team with the likes of Gianluca Vialli and Gianfranco Zola under the guidance of manager Ruud Gullit.

9.

Craig Forrest played a number of first-team games in the FA Premier League in the late 1990s and early 2000s with the east Londoners, remaining at Boleyn Ground until his retirement from football in 2002.

10.

Craig Forrest beat the disease, but was advised by his doctors that he would no longer be able to play, culminating in Forrest retiring in 2002.

11.

Craig Forrest played at the 1987 FIFA U-20 World Cup and made his debut for the Canada senior team in a May 1988 friendly match against Chile.

12.

Craig Forrest earned 56 caps, the most of any goalkeeper in the national team's history tied with Pat Onstad and earned the most clean sheets in the country's history before retiring from international football in 2002.

13.

The highlight of his international career was undoubtedly helping Canada win the 2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup, in which Craig Forrest was named tournament MVP and Most Valuable Goalkeeper for allowing a mere three goals and stopping two penalties in his side's five games.

14.

In 2012, Craig Forrest was voted by the fans into the Canadian best XI in the CSA's first 100 years.

15.

Craig Forrest began working as a sports analyst with Rogers Sportsnet upon his retirement from playing.

16.

Craig Forrest appears frequently as a broadcaster for the men's national team and Toronto FC on Sportsnet as well as Sportsnet's Soccer Central Matchday.

17.

Craig Forrest is the Canadian FIFA Ambassador for SOS Children's Villages.