Goalkeepers may not dominate the headlines, but in the unforgiving world of the EFL, their consistency can define a season — or a career.
Clean sheets are the most fundamental currency of any shot-stopper, and nowhere are they harder-earned than in the English Football League. Spanning League Two to the Championship, the EFL has been a proving ground for some of the game’s most resilient and long-serving keepers. With the demands of 46-game seasons, lower-league grind, and rapidly shifting squads, maintaining a high clean sheet tally is no mean feat.
This list recognises the 12 goalkeepers with the most clean sheets in EFL history, from recent retirees to cult heroes, and some still active. It’s not just a testament to defensive ability, but to durability, leadership, and staying power. From journeymen to internationals, these are the goalkeepers who stood tallest, longest, and left strikers frustrated more than most.
Stuart Nelson – 93 Clean Sheets (370 Games, 25.10%)
2000–2022, 11 clubs
Stuart Nelson enjoyed a lengthy EFL career defined by reliability and professionalism, amassing 93 clean sheets over 370 league games. Beginning his journey with Hucknall Town before signing for Brentford in 2004, Nelson featured for numerous clubs including Leyton Orient, Notts County, Norwich City, and Gillingham, where he spent the most consistent spell of his career. His performances for the Gills in the early 2010s — including a League Two title-winning season in 2012–13 — cemented his place as a fan favourite.
Known for his sharp reflexes and vocal presence, Nelson often found himself as the trusted figure in promotion-chasing or rebuilding sides. Later stints with Yeovil Town, Crawley Town, and Dagenham & Redbridge extended his playing days into his 40s. Though he never reached the Premier League, Nelson’s longevity and effectiveness made him one of the EFL’s most dependable servants between the posts.
Lee Grant – 95 Clean Sheets (356 Games, 26.70%)
2002–2021, 6 clubs
Lee Grant’s EFL career was marked by composure, maturity, and a steady pair of hands. With 95 clean sheets in 356 appearances, his journey began at Derby County, where he came through the youth ranks. He made his name during spells at Sheffield Wednesday and Burnley, earning plaudits for consistent performances in the Championship. Grant returned to Derby for a second stint and played a crucial role in their promotion-challenging campaigns in the early 2010s.
His form at this level eventually earned him a surprise Premier League move to Stoke City and later Manchester United, where he served as a backup keeper. Though he played sparingly in the top flight, his Championship pedigree was beyond question — a composed presence who read the game well and commanded his box. He retired in 2021 and moved into coaching, recently taking up the Huddersfield Town role.
David Martin – 99 Clean Sheets (286 Games, 34.60%)
2004–2022, 8 clubs
David Martin quietly built one of the most impressive clean sheet records in the EFL, registering 99 shutouts in just 286 appearances — a strike rate of nearly one in three. He began his career at Wimbledon and was part of the club’s controversial move to Milton Keynes, where he became a central figure at MK Dons. Across multiple spells, Martin made over 300 appearances for the Dons and was key in their promotions and playoff pushes.
His career also included stints with Leeds United, Millwall, and Southend United, but it was his long association with MK Dons that defined him. Later in his career, Martin joined West Ham United as a backup and briefly featured in the Premier League, including a memorable clean sheet on his top-flight debut at age 33. Martin’s sharp positioning and calm presence under pressure made him a fan favourite and a respected figure across the EFL.
Bartosz Białkowski – 102 Clean Sheets (347 Games, 29.40%)
2006–2024, 4 clubs
Bartosz Białkowski has been one of the most consistent goalkeepers in the Championship over the past decade, amassing 102 clean sheets across 347 EFL appearances. The Polish stopper made his first major impact with Southampton, but it was at Notts County and particularly Ipswich Town where he truly flourished. Białkowski was named Ipswich’s Player of the Year three times in a row between 2016 and 2018 — a rare honour for a goalkeeper and a reflection of his immense value to the side.
His agility, quick reflexes, and shot-stopping ability earned him a move to Millwall, where he maintained his high standards and played a key role in their consistent mid-table stability. A late bloomer at international level, he earned his first Poland cap in 2018, adding a global note to an already stellar EFL career.
Keiren Westwood – 104 Clean Sheets (330 Games, 31.50%)
2003–2022, 5 clubs
Keiren Westwood built a reputation as one of the most reliable and commanding goalkeepers in the Championship, racking up 104 clean sheets in 330 EFL appearances. His rise began at Carlisle United, where he helped the Cumbrians climb the divisions with back-to-back promotions in the mid-2000s. From there, he moved to Coventry City, where his performances quickly established him as one of the league’s top stoppers.
The Irish international’s finest years arguably came at Sheffield Wednesday. Between 2014 and 2021, Westwood was a pivotal figure in a side that twice reached the play-offs, and he was named in the PFA Championship Team of the Year on three occasions. Known for his shot-stopping reflexes and ability to command his area, he also earned 21 caps for the Republic of Ireland. He retired in 2022 with a legacy as one of the most consistently excellent keepers of the EFL’s modern era.
Paddy Kenny – 105 Clean Sheets (292 Games, 36.00%)
1998–2016, 9 clubs
Paddy Kenny’s career in the EFL was marked by strong personalities, promotion pushes, and a remarkable clean sheet record. His 105 shutouts in just 292 games give him the best clean sheet ratio on this list, with more than one every three games. Kenny first made his name with Bury but truly rose to prominence at Sheffield United, helping the Blades reach the Premier League in 2006. He later followed manager Neil Warnock to Queens Park Rangers, where he repeated the feat by winning the Championship in 2010–11.
Kenny was a commanding presence — a no-nonsense goalkeeper known for his bravery and sharp reflexes. Despite some off-field controversies, he remained a popular figure with supporters and teammates alike. After spells at Leeds United and Bolton Wanderers, Kenny’s career wound down with short stints at various lower-league clubs before retirement in 2016. His consistent performances and promotion pedigree left a lasting mark on the EFL.
Barry Roche – 115 Clean Sheets (483 Games, 23.80%)
1998–2020, 2 clubs
Barry Roche was a towering and dependable figure across two decades in the EFL, amassing 115 clean sheets in 483 appearances. Beginning his career with Nottingham Forest, Roche moved to Chesterfield in 2001 and became a reliable presence in League One and Two. However, it was at Morecambe where he cemented his legacy, playing over 400 league games after joining the club in 2008.
At 6ft 4in, Roche was known for his dominance in the air and ability to organise his defence, becoming club captain and a key part of the Shrimps’ Football League era. He even scored a dramatic injury-time equaliser in 2016 — a rare moment of glory for a goalkeeper. Roche retired in 2020 and transitioned into a coaching role at Morecambe. His commitment to a single club for over a decade earned him legendary status at the Globe Arena and respect throughout the lower leagues.
Glenn Morris – 120 Clean Sheets (420 Games, 28.60%)
2001–Present, 5 clubs
Glenn Morris has been one of the EFL’s most underappreciated stalwarts, quietly building an excellent record of 120 clean sheets across 420 games. Starting at Leyton Orient in 2001, Morris spent time with Southend United and Aldershot Town before truly finding his home at Crawley Town. Over two separate spells with the Red Devils, he became a fan favourite for his consistency and calm demeanour under pressure.
Nicknamed “The Cat” by Crawley fans, Morris won multiple Player of the Season awards and was often the difference in tight League Two contests. Despite advancing into his late 30s, he remained a regular starter and continued to deliver high-level performances well into the 2020s. His reflexes and one-on-one shot-stopping ability stood out, as did his leadership on and off the pitch. As of 2025, Morris remains in the professional ranks at Gillingham, a model of endurance and quiet excellence in the EFL landscape.
Scott Brown – 120 Clean Sheets (411 Games, 29.20%)
2005–2023, 4 clubs
Scott Brown was a consistent and underrated presence in the EFL for nearly two decades, finishing his career with 120 clean sheets in 411 league games. Best known for his time at Cheltenham Town and Wycombe Wanderers, Brown earned a reputation as a calm, dependable keeper with sharp reflexes and excellent positioning. His longest and most productive spell came with Cheltenham, where he helped the Robins achieve promotion from League Two and later became club captain.
After leaving Cheltenham, he continued to impress at Wycombe and Port Vale, playing key roles in promotion pushes and relegation battles alike. Brown’s consistency earned him widespread respect among peers, even if he rarely drew major headlines. He transitioned into coaching after his retirement in 2023, joining Rotherham United’s backroom staff. His longevity and clean sheet rate underline a career built on discipline, work ethic, and doing the basics brilliantly.
David Marshall – 136 Clean Sheets (449 Games, 30.30%)
2004–2022, 6 clubs
David Marshall enjoyed one of the most decorated EFL careers of any Scottish goalkeeper, recording 136 clean sheets in 449 league appearances. After rising through Celtic’s ranks, he moved to England in 2007 and quickly established himself as one of the Championship’s standout performers. His finest years arguably came at Cardiff City, where he made over 250 appearances and helped the club earn promotion to the Premier League in 2013.
Marshall’s performances earned him numerous individual accolades, including a spot in the PFA Championship Team of the Year in 2013–14. He later featured prominently for Hull City, Wigan Athletic, and Derby County, bringing experience and reliability to each club. On the international stage, Marshall earned 47 caps for Scotland and famously helped secure their qualification for Euro 2020 via a dramatic penalty shootout. He retired in 2022, leaving behind a legacy of elite shot-stopping and big-game mentality in the EFL.
Lee Camp – 142 Clean Sheets (523 Games, 27.20%)
2002–2022, 13 clubs
Lee Camp leads the list with an impressive 142 clean sheets across a massive 523 EFL appearances, highlighting not just quality but extraordinary longevity. A product of Derby County’s academy, Camp became a household name in the Championship, playing for a host of clubs including Queens Park Rangers, Nottingham Forest, Birmingham City, and Bournemouth.
His standout spell came at Nottingham Forest, where he was a crucial part of Billy Davies’ promotion-chasing sides. Agile, vocal, and commanding, Camp was particularly known for his penalty-saving prowess and shot-stopping instincts. He earned two caps for Northern Ireland in 2011, qualifying through his grandfather despite previously representing England at youth level.
Later in his career, he featured for Sunderland, Coventry City, and Swindon Town, often called upon for his experience and leadership in tough situations. Camp officially retired in 2022, finishing with the highest number of EFL clean sheets in the modern era — a testament to both his ability and resilience.
