" Cardiff City rejects who proved the Bluebirds wrong "

Ex-Cardiff City goalkeeper Tom Heaton called up by Roy Hodgson and England three years after leaving Bluebirds


Cardiff City rejects who proved the Bluebirds wrong

Thurs 21 MAY 2015

BY SIMON GASKELL

Heaton was one of the shock names included in Hodgson’s squad to face the Republic of Ireland and Slovenia, alongside the likes of Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy and QPR’s Charlie Austin


Ex-Cardiff City goalkeeper Tom Heaton has been called up by Roy Hodgson and England - three years after his release by the Bluebirds.

Heaton was one of the shock names included in Hodgson’s squad to face the Republic of Ireland and Slovenia - in a Euro 2016 qualifier - alongside the likes of Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy and QPR’s Charlie Austin.

He has been in fine form for Sean Dyche’s Burnley team despite their relegation from the Premier League and has been rewarded with a first senior call-up.

It caps a remarkable rise after things didn’t work out for Heaton at the Cardiff City Stadium.


Though he was a fans’ favourite and often distinguished himself when given the chance, Heaton was a perennial number two and back-up to the Bluebirds’ current stopper David Marshall.

An initial loan spell under Dave Jones in the 2008/9 season where he vied for a place between the sticks with Peter Enckelman was followed by a permanent deal in 2010.

After 27 appearances in the 2010/11 season that ended in play-off defeat to Reading and Jones’ departure, Heaton saw his opportunities restricted under new boss Malky Mackay.



He made just two Championship appearances the following campaign though he did star in the Capital One Cup campaign which saw the Bluebirds go all the way to the final against Liverpool at Wembley in 2012.

They lost a thrilling match - 2-2 after extra time - on penalties though Heaton saved one of the spot kicks from Steven Gerrard.

Despite his role in that run, Heaton left that summer after rejecting a new deal, signing for Bristol City where he underlined his desire to become a number one.

At the time he said: ““I could have stayed at Cardiff but it’s not what I wanted to do.

“I wanted to establish myself and hopefully I can do that here.”

Fine form for the Robins saw him switch to Burnley in May 2013 before promotion to the Premier League in his first season for the club.

Good Luck to him - Good keeper and nice guy.

Very unfortunate for him and us that we had two very similarly good keepers at the same time.

Very humble guy when I met him in Cardiff one time.

Good Luck to him - Good keeper and nice guy.

Very good lad. We have had some proper bell ends in the last few years. Jason Brown, Whitts and Koumas all grounded guys like TH.

I always rated Heaton, and tbh the Carling Cup Year I thought he was the better of the 2 keepers. Certainly knows how to manage the box better than MArshy