So "Safe Hands" has finally decided to call time on a distinguished career. A recurring shoulder injury has forced David Seaman to hang up his gloves at the age of 40.
The decision to retire may well have been a difficult one for the Yorkshireman after 23 years in the game as a professional.
But the writing had been on the wall for Seaman for a while and he may have been better advised to bow out at Arsenal, with whom he won three league titles and four FA Cups.
The voices were telling him just one more season in the Premiership, one final campaign with England, yet Seaman's body was telling him something quite different.
Time has caught up with the former England goalkeeper and his final hoorah at Manchester City has seen him leave the footballing fraternity with a whimper rather than a bang.
But it would be unkind to simply reflect on Seaman's steady slide down the ladder of keeping greats.
He has been one of the Premiership top keepers, has served his country well (despite the costly error against Brazil in the 2002 World Cup quarter-finals) and has always been a consummate professional.
After failing to make a single appearance with Leeds, whom he supported since boyhood, his journey took him to Peterborough, Birmingham, QPR before he settled at Arsenal in 1990.
At Highbury, Seaman struck up a close relationship with former Arsenal legend Bob Wilson, whom he will no doubt have consulted about his decision to quit.
The pair have endured the highs and lows of Seaman's career at club and international level.
Perhaps it is only the mistakes that stick in the mind for some, like Nayim's audacious lob from the half-way line that eluded Seaman and cost the Gunners the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1995.
Gaffes against Germany and Macedonia in qualifying for the 2002 World and Euro 2004 respectively also seem easy to remember.
But it is not hard to recall the extraordinary save Seaman made in last season's FA Cup semi-final against Sheffield United.
 Seaman hands over the gloves to James |
His sensational one-handed stop from Paul Peschisolido was hailed at the time as one of the best ever saves in footballing history.
And let's not forget Seaman's penalty heroics during Euro 96 when he helped England to reach the semi-finals after saving Spain's Miguel Angel Nadal's spot-kick in the quarters.
It is now the turn of Seaman's England successor, David James, to go between the sticks at the City of Manchester Stadium.
Seaman suggested to City manager Kevin Keegan that he should swoop for the West Ham man.
"After deciding to retire, it was a pleasure to recommend David James - so I know the position is in safe hands," said the veteran keeper.
Seaman's gloves are now definitely off.
MMIX
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