Joe Hart
A commanding and vocal goalkeeper whose prime years defined an era for Manchester City and England with trophy-laden consistency.
Born 1987 (age 39)·English footballer·Birthday: April 19·Millennials
Biography
Joe Hart won four Premier League Golden Glove awards as the league's top goalkeeper. For a decade, he was the immovable object in Manchester City's goal, his loud organization and commanding presence anchoring a defense that won two Premier League titles. His rise coincided with City's transformation into a football superpower. Hart's crucial saves in the 2011–12 and 2013–14 title runs were foundational to those championships. He played with visible passion, his roaring celebrations and penalty-area authority becoming his trademarks. While later career moves saw him adapt to different challenges across Europe with Torino, West Ham, and Celtic, his peak period defined an era. He was not just a last line of defense but a vocal leader and a symbol of a new winning mentality at the Etihad. Hart earned 75 caps for England, representing his country at two European Championships and a World Cup. His consistency between 2010 and 2016 made him the undisputed number one for both club and country.
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.
Joe was born in 1987, 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 Joe Was Born
The biggest hits of 1987
#1 Movie
Three Men and a Baby
Best Picture
The Last Emperor
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Joe's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1987Born
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1992Started school
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2000Became a teenager
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Could drive
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2005Could vote
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Turned 21
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2017Turned 30
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 39 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won two Premier League titles with Manchester City in the 2011-12 and 2013-14 seasons.
- Won the Premier League Golden Glove award for most clean sheets in a season four times.
- Was England's first-choice goalkeeper at the UEFA Euro 2012 and 2016 tournaments.
- Made 75 appearances for the England national football team.
Did You Know?
He began his professional career at his hometown club, Shrewsbury Town.
He had a brief loan spell at Serie A club Torino in Italy during the 2016-17 season.
He is known for his distinctive pre-match routine of headbutting the goalpost.
“You have to be a bit mad to stand in goal, but I loved organizing that chaos.”
