Fraser Forster
A giant, shot-stopping English goalkeeper whose heroic performances for Celtic in Europe earned him a cult status and a long Premier League career.
Born 1988 (age 38)·English footballer·Birthday: March 17·Millennials
Biography
Fraser Forster's path to the top was anything but orthodox. A towering presence at 6'7", he spent years on loan in England's lower leagues before finding a home and forging a legend at Celtic. In Glasgow, he transformed from a prospect into a phenomenon. Dubbed 'The Great Wall' by fans, his performances in the Champions League were the stuff of folklore; he famously made a stunning 13 saves in a 2-1 victory over Barcelona in 2012. That spell established him as a goalkeeper of immense reflexes and calm under pressure, capable of single-handedly defying Europe's elite. A big-money move to Southampton followed, where he continued his reliable form and earned England caps. Later spells at Tottenham and Bournemouth saw him embrace the role of a seasoned, dependable veteran. Forster's story is one of patience, a late bloomer who used his physical gifts and mental fortitude to build a lasting career defined by moments of sheer, game-altering brilliance.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Fraser was born in 1988, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Fraser Was Born
The biggest hits of 1988
#1 Movie
Rain Man
Best Picture
Rain Man
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Fraser's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1988Born
Pan Am Flight 103 bombed over Lockerbie
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $74,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Faith" — George MichaelBest Picture: Rain Man
1993Started school
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
2001Became a teenager
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2004Could drive
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2006Could vote
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2009Turned 21
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2018Turned 30
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2026Age 38 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won four Scottish Premiership titles, two Scottish Cups, and one Scottish League Cup with Celtic.
- Kept 13 clean sheets in 34 games during the 2013–14 Premier League season with Southampton, earning a place in the PFA Team of the Year.
- Made a record 13 saves in Celtic's famous 2-1 Champions League victory over Barcelona in November 2012.
- Earned six caps for the England national team between 2013 and 2016.
- Held the record for the longest run without conceding a goal in Scottish football history (1,256 minutes) during the 2013–14 season.
Did You Know?
His nickname among Celtic fans is 'The Great Wall of Parkhead' or simply 'The Wall.'
Forster was a talented cricketer in his youth and played at a county level for Durham as a fast bowler.
He made his professional debut on loan at Stockport County in League Two.
He kept a clean sheet on his England debut, a 2-0 win over Chile at Wembley in 2013.
Forster is known for his quiet and reserved personality off the pitch, in contrast to his commanding presence on it.
“My size is an advantage, but positioning is everything.”
