David Cluett (2 August 1965 – 17 July 2005) was a
Maltese professional
football
Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kicking a ball to score a goal. Unqualified, the word ''football'' normally means the form of football that is the most popular where the word is used. Sports commonly c ...
goalkeeper
In many team sports which involve scoring goals, the goalkeeper (sometimes termed goaltender, netminder, GK, goalie or keeper) is a designated player charged with directly preventing the opposing team from scoring by blocking or intercepting o ...
.
Cluett is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in Maltese football. His best years were those at
Floriana F.C. with whom he won a number of honours.
Melita FC
Cluett started his career with St Julians side
Melita F.C.
Melita Football Club is a Maltese football club that represents the town of St. Julian's. Melita was recently promoted to the Maltese top flight for the first time ever, only to be relegated again the following season. Having finished first in ...
, in 1979. Cluett spent one season there.
Floriana FC
In 1986, he moved to
Floriana F.C. During his time with the Greens' Cluett fast became a fan favorite, his dominating figure between the posts helped lead the club to a new era of honours. During his 13-year spell with Floriana he went on to win all domestic honours. His best phase with the club was most definitely between 1992 and 1994 winning the triple crown in the first season. The following season Cluett went on to set a national record, 736 minutes without conceding a goal, Floriana went on to win three domestic honours that season.
Last footballing years
After Floriana, David Cluett had two short spells with
Birkirkara F.C. and
Gozo F.C.
Gozo Football Club was a Maltese football club based on the island of Gozo. Gozo FC was founded in 1987. The club was disbanded following the end of the 2010-2011 season.
Gozo FC was run by the Gozo Football Association. It represented the is ...
before returning to play for Floriana. Following his retirement from football Cluett worked with
Msida Saint-Joseph F.C.
Msida Saint Joseph Football Club – usually referred to as Msida St. Joseph – is a Maltese football club from the town of Msida, which currently plays in the Maltese National Amateur League.
History Early years (1906–22)
The o ...
as a goalkeeping coach.
National team
On 29 March 1987 he made his international debut in a 2–2 draw against Portugal. In total Cluett won 69 caps for Malta, the last on being on 27 March 1996 in 1–0 away defeat to Macedonia.
Death
On 17 July 2005 Cluett died after a long battle against a serious illness.
Honours
Floriana F.C.
* Premier League: 1992–93
* F.A. Trophy: 1992–93, 1993–94
* Super Cup: 1992–93
* Super 5 Cup: 1993–94, 1994–95, 1995–96, 1997–98
* Lowenbrau Cup: 1993–94
Individual
* National Record: 736 Minutes without conceding a goal.
External links
*
1965 births
2005 deaths
Maltese footballers
Malta international footballers
Melita F.C. players
Floriana F.C. players
Birkirkara F.C. players
Association football goalkeepers
{{Malta-footy-bio-stub