Goalkeepers rightly thrive in the battle against Father Time

The generation gap in the Barclays Premier League used to be between gnarly old managers and their raw young charges. But now the dressing-room divide could also relate to veteran goalkeepers and their teammates.

Imagine how little 40-year-old Edwin van der Sar would have in common with 20-year-old striker Bebe, yet they have appeared together in three matches for Manchester United this season. Similarly, 39-year-old Brad Friedel is more than twice the age of Aston Villa's teenager starlets Nathan Delfouneso and Barry Bannon, while Fulham's 19-year-old defender Matthew Briggs could conceivably call 38-year-old Mark Schwarzer 'uncle'.

The first-choice goalkeeper in more than half of all England's top clubs is over the age of 30, while six - Van der Sar, Friedel, Schwarzer, Jussi Jaaskelainen (Bolton) Marcus Hahnemann (Wolves) and Thomas Sorensen (Stoke) - are in their 35th year, or older.

'The age difference has certainly brought an end to communal dressing room music because it's all headphones now,' said English-born Thai assistant coach Steve Darby, an ex-goalkeeper. 'How could Elton John compete with the latest rap artist?'

Ageing shot-stoppers in England's top flight are nothing new, with the likes of former international stars David Seaman, Neville Southall and Peter Shilton playing into their 40s. But what is remarkable is the increasing number of golden oldies. Seasoned back-ups include 39-year-old Maik Taylor at Birmingham, Tottenham's 37-year-old Carlo Cudicini and Chelsea number-two, Henrique Hilario, 35.

And last month, former Leicester City stalwart Kevin Poole made an appearance for League Two side Burton Albion against Rotherham in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy at the ripe old age of 47.