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Peter Enckelman
Peter Enckelman
Peter Enckelman
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Peter Mikael Enckelman (born 10 March 1977) is a Finnish former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He represented Finland and played for TPS Turku, Aston Villa, Blackburn Rovers, Cardiff City, St Johnstone, Heart of Midlothian and IFK Mariehamn.

Key Information

Club career

[edit]

Aston Villa

[edit]

Born in Turku, Varsinais-Suomi,[2] Enckelman signed for his first English club, Aston Villa, from his hometown team, TPS Turku, in February 1999 for a fee of around €1 million (1,7m + 4,3m Finnish markka).[3] He made his debut during a 3–1 defeat against Arsenal on 11 September 1999 as a second-half substitute, his first start coming three days later against Chester City in the League Cup.

After David James left the team, Enckelman was pleased when he was called upon in some of the later fixtures, as he expected to be seeing some more first-team action. However, the signing of former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel put a considerable damper on things, as, apart from the matches in Aston Villa's Intertoto Cup campaign of that season, he was left with virtually no playing time. It was only when Graham Taylor took over as manager that Enckelman was installed as first-choice keeper, as Schmeichel was sold to Manchester City.

Enckelman was the culprit for a defensive error in a hotly contested local derby (Birmingham City v Aston Villa (3–0) on 16 September 2002); as Olof Mellberg took a quick defensive throw-in to the keeper, Enckelman took his eye off the ball and as he was unable to control it, it slid under his foot and rolled in to the goal.[4] There is some debate over whether the goal should have stood, as the laws state that a goal cannot be scored directly from a throw-in. The ball was adjudged to, yet did not appear to, scrape against the studs of his boot. Enckelman has stated on numerous occasions that he did not touch the ball prior to it entering the net.[5] The incident led to further controversy when a rival fan charged onto the pitch and approached Enckelman, before making an offensive gesture directly to his face. The fan was later arrested and jailed,[6] and Enckelman was praised for his refusal to retaliate.[7]

Blackburn Rovers

[edit]

Enckelman was sold to Blackburn Rovers in 2004 for £150,000.[8] At Blackburn, he was considered second choice behind Brad Friedel, and on 19 May 2008 after making just three appearances in four years, he was told that his contract with the club would not be renewed.[9]

Cardiff City

[edit]
Enckelman taking a free-kick during a league match

On 10 January 2008, he joined Football League Championship side Cardiff City on loan until the end of the 2007–08 season[10] becoming Cardiff's third loan goalkeeper of the year after Ross Turnbull and Kasper Schmeichel. He made his debut for Cardiff on 29 January as a substitute in a 3–1 victory over Queens Park Rangers after Michael Oakes was forced to be taken off after taking a blow to the face. He remained the club's first choice goalkeeper for the rest of the season, playing in four of the club's FA Cup matches, including the 2008 FA Cup Final, but a mistake from Enckelman resulted in the only goal of the game for opponents Portsmouth.[11]

2008–09 season

[edit]
Enckelman in 2008.

Enckelman was released on his return to Blackburn at the end of the season and signed a two-year deal with Cardiff.[12] Despite spending his loan spell as first choice goalkeeper, he started the 2008–09 season as second choice goalkeeper to loanee Tom Heaton. On 23 September, he made his first appearance of the season in a 1–0 loss to Swansea City in the League Cup, the first South Wales derby to take place in seven years. His first league appearance of the season came on 22 November when he replaced Tom Heaton during a 2–1 defeat against Plymouth Argyle after Heaton sustained a calf injury. In the following match, Enckelman was handed a start in place of Heaton and went on to remain unbeaten for over ten matches, including keeping a clean sheet during a 0–0 draw in the fourth round of the FA Cup against Arsenal[13] when forced to undergo a knee operation.[14] It was originally thought that the injury would keep him out for two months but Enckelman's knee failed to respond to the surgery meaning he would miss the remainder of the season.[15]

2009–10 season

[edit]

The following season, Enckelman faced another challenge to be the number one goalkeeper at Cardiff with the signing of Scottish international David Marshall from Norwich City. After sharing goalkeeping duties during pre-season, he started the season on the bench behind Marshall before making his first appearance of the season in a 3–1 win over Dagenham & Redbridge in the first round of the League Cup.[16] On 28 November 2009, Enckelman was involved in car crash but made a "lucky escape", he made his first league appearance the following day, playing 45 minutes coming on as a second-half substitute for David Marshall.[17] At the end of the season, he was one of five players released by the club.

St Johnstone

[edit]

On 7 August 2010, Enckelman appeared as a trialist for St Johnstone in their friendly match against Real Valladolid, keeping a clean sheet in the process. Two days later, Enckelman agreed to join the club, signing a two-year deal.[18] He made his debut for the club in a 1–1 draw against Hearts on 14 August 2010. At St Johnstone, he immediately became a first choice goalkeeper. At the beginning of the season, Enckelman made a bad start and was relegated to the substitution bench after two matches. In his first season, Enckelman faced competition from Graeme Smith to take the first choice. In the end, Enckelman managed to win the spot. Despite the following season when Smith left and Alan Mannus arrived, Enckelman managed to retain his first choice throughout the season. Enckelman made an impressive penalty save from Kris Commons and won 1–0 against Celtic, keeping a clean sheet on 22 August 2011. After the match, Enckelman said the game was his best match.[19] He saved another penalty from Jamie Hamill in a 2–1 win at Hearts on 3 December 2011.[20] After the 2011–12 season, Enckelman was released by the club after his contract expired. After his release, Enckelman went on a trial at Preston[21] and played in a friendly match in a 2–0 win over Southport on 14 July 2012.[22]

Heart of Midlothian

[edit]

On 17 August 2012, Enckelman signed a short-term deal with Hearts, until January 2013.[23] Hearts signed Enckelman as cover after Mark Ridgers suffered an injury playing for the Scotland under-21 team.[23] After being on the bench as cover for first choice Jamie MacDonald, Enckelman made his debut, coming on in the 14th minute for McDonald after he collided with Charlie Mulgrew. However, he lost his debut when Georgios Samaras scored through Enckelman's legs to give Celtic the lead 1–0 and the game stayed that way until the final whistle.[24] After the match, Enckelman expressed 'disappointment' that he could have saved the shot from Samaras.[25] Enckelman did not make another appearance for Hearts and he was released at the end of his contract in January 2013.[26]

Return to Finland

[edit]

On 13 June 2013, it was announced that Enckelman had signed a short-term contract with Veikkausliiga side IFK Mariehamn, returning to his native Finland after spending 14 years abroad.[27]

International career

[edit]

Enckelman was capped 15 times by the Finland national under-21 team, before being capped on 12 occasions by the Finland national team from 2000 to 2010.[2][28]

Personal life

[edit]

He is the son of Göran Enckelman, also a former Finland international goalkeeper. He has a keen interest in motorsport, and in January 2007 the Encke Sport team was announced with plans to contest the British Touring Car Championship.[29] This never happened, but the team has competed in smaller racing classes.

Career statistics

[edit]

Club

[edit]
As of 1 September 2014[30][31]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup League cup Europe Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
TPS 1995 Veikkausliiga 7 0 – – 0 0 7 0
1996 Veikkausliiga 17 0 – – – 17 0
1997 Veikkausliiga 24 0 – – 2[a] 0 26 0
1998 Veikkausliiga 24 0 – – 4[a] 0 28 0
Total 72 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 78 0
Aston Villa 1999–00 Premier League 10 0 1 0 3 0 – 14 0
2000–01 Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 – 0 0
2001–02 Premier League 9 0 0 0 0 0 5[a] 0 14 0
2002–03 Premier League 33 0 0 0 3 0 4[a] 0 40 0
2003–04 Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 – 0 0
Total 52 0 1 0 6 0 9 0 68 0
Blackburn Rovers (loan) 2003–04 Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 – 0 0
Blackburn Rovers 2003–04 Premier League 2 0 0 0 0 0 – 2 0
2004–05 Premier League 0 0 0 0 1 0 – 1 0
2005–06 Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 – 0 0
2006–07 Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2007–08 Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 3 0
Cardiff City (loan) 2007–08 Championship 16 0 4 0 0 0 – 20 0
Cardiff City 2008–09 Championship 12 0 2 0 1 0 – 15 0
2009–10 Championship 4 0 0 0 3 0 – 7 0
Total 32 0 6 0 4 0 0 0 42 0
St Johnstone 2010–11 Scottish Premier League 29 0 5 0 1 0 – 35 0
2011–12 Scottish Premier League 25 0 2 0 2 0 – 29 0
Total 54 0 7 0 3 0 0 0 64 0
Hearts 2012–13 Scottish Premier League 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
IFK Mariehamn 2013 Veikkausliiga 9 0 1 0 0 0 2[b] 0 12 0
Career total 222 0 15 0 13 0 17 0 267 0

International

[edit]
As of 18 August 2011[28]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Finland 2000 1 0
2001 2 0
2002 0 0
2003 2 0
2004 0 0
2005 1 0
2006 1 0
2007 0 0
2008 4 0
2009 0 0
2010 1 0
Total 12 0

Honours

[edit]

Aston Villa

Cardiff City

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Peter Enckelman

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Peter Enckelman (born Peter Mikael Enckelman on 10 March 1977 in , ) is a retired professional footballer who played as a , representing clubs in , , , and over a career spanning from 1995 to 2014. Standing at 1.88 metres tall, he earned 12 caps for the national team between 2000 and 2010, making his debut in a 2–1 friendly win against on 29 March 2000. Enckelman began his professional career with his hometown club TPS Turku in Finland's , where he developed through the youth ranks before making his senior debut in 1997. In 1999, at age 21, he transferred to English side Aston Villa for a fee of £200,000, becoming a backup to first-choice David James and making 54 league appearances over four seasons, during which he recorded 13 clean sheets while conceding 60 goals. His time at Villa is most famously marked by a notorious error in a 2002 against rivals Birmingham City on 14 September, when he allowed a from teammate Olof to roll under his foot and into the net, gifting Birmingham an equalizing goal in a 3–0 loss—a moment that has endured in football folklore. After leaving Villa in 2004, Enckelman joined Blackburn Rovers for £150,000, where he served primarily as a reserve before loans and a permanent move to City in the from 2008 to 2010, amassing 55 appearances in Scotland's top flight with St Johnstone (2010–2012) and brief stints at Heart of Midlothian (2012–2013) and (2013–2014) to close his playing days. Across his domestic league career, he featured in 150 matches, achieving 51 clean sheets while conceding 170 goals. The son of former Finnish player Göran Enckelman, he retired in 2014 and later transitioned to a career in , working as a executive for .

Club career

TPS Turku

Peter Enckelman was born on 10 March 1977 in , , and developed an early interest in football through local clubs in his hometown. Influenced by his father, Göran Enckelman, a former international who played for TPS , Peter joined the of the same club, honing his skills as a from a young age. Enckelman progressed to TPS Turku's senior team in 1995 at the age of 18, making his professional debut in the during that season with 6 appearances. Over the following years, he became a key figure in the squad, featuring in 24 league matches in 1996 and 25 in 1997, solidifying his role as the first-choice by the latter year. His performances contributed to TPS's competitive efforts in the Finnish top flight, showcasing reliability and shot-stopping ability in domestic matches. From 1995 to early 1999, Enckelman amassed 61 appearances in the for TPS, conceding 83 goals while securing 21 clean sheets, reflecting his growth into a dependable professional. In February 1999, at age 21, he transferred to English side Aston Villa for a fee of £200,000, concluding his tenure with his boyhood club and marking a significant step in his career abroad.

Aston Villa

Enckelman joined Aston Villa from his hometown club TPS Turku in February 1999 for a fee of £200,000, initially serving as goalkeeper, including to David James from the 1999–2000 season onward. During his early years at the club, he remained largely on the bench, making his professional debut on 11 September 1999 as a substitute in a 3-1 defeat to at . His opportunities were limited under manager John Gregory. The departure of Schmeichel in April 2002 paved the way for Enckelman to establish himself as Aston Villa's first-choice goalkeeper under returning manager , who honored a prior verbal agreement with the Finn to prioritize his development. Over the subsequent seasons, Enckelman solidified his position, contributing to the team's mid-table stability in the . In total, he made 67 appearances across all competitions during his five-year stint at from 1999 to 2004. Enckelman's tenure was overshadowed by a infamous error on 16 September 2002 in the Second City derby against Birmingham City. As Villa trailed 1-0, defender Olof Mellberg's from the right flank rolled under Enckelman’s foot after he attempted to let it run out for a , resulting in an that extended the score to 2-0 in a eventual 3-0 loss; the incident, later debated for its legality under back-pass rules, became one of the most memorable blunders in history. Despite the mistake, Enckelman retained his place as first-choice , playing 27 more league games in the 2002–03 season and additional matches in 2003–04. The signing of in 2003 intensified competition for the starting spot, relegating Enckelman to a backup role and limiting his involvement. He departed Aston Villa on a free transfer to Cardiff City in July 2004 after failing to regain consistent playing time.

Blackburn Rovers

Enckelman joined Blackburn Rovers on a one-month from Aston Villa in November 2003, arriving as specialist goalkeeping cover for the injured , though he made no first-team appearances during this period. The loan arrangement paved the way for a permanent transfer in January 2004, when signed Enckelman for an initial fee of £150,000 on a three-and-a-half-year , positioning him as a to Friedel with the aim of providing competition and depth in goal. Over the next four seasons, Enckelman served primarily in a reserve capacity, contributing to training sessions and occasionally featuring in cup competitions, but he remained largely on the bench behind the established first-choice goalkeeper. His limited opportunities culminated in just three total appearances across all competitions: two in the during the 2003–04 season—debuting in a 1–0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur on 4 2003 and starting in a 2–0 win over on 8 May 2004—and one in the League Cup against Tottenham Hotspur on 21 September 2005. Enckelman's time at Blackburn ended upon the expiry of his contract, with the club announcing his release on 19 May 2008 under manager , effectively concluding his career after a stint marked by unfulfilled potential and minimal playing time.

Cardiff City

Enckelman joined City on a loan from Rovers on 10 January 2008, where he quickly established himself as the first-choice goalkeeper. He made 16 league appearances during the remainder of the 2007–08 season, contributing to the team's run to the . Following his release by at the end of the season, Enckelman signed a permanent two-year contract with on a free transfer in July 2008. Enckelman started in goal for in the against at on 17 May 2008, a match lost 0–1. The decisive goal came from , who capitalized on a fumble by Enckelman from a backpass by teammate Roger Johnson, allowing to secure their first major trophy in 55 years. Despite the error, Enckelman had played in all five of 's FA Cup ties that season, helping the club reach their first major final since 1927. In the 2008–09 Championship season, Enckelman initially shared duties with loanee but became the primary goalkeeper, making 12 league appearances as Cardiff mounted a strong promotion push, finishing seventh and reaching the play-off semi-finals. His campaign was disrupted by a injury in 2009, requiring surgery that sidelined him for up to eight weeks. A subsequent setback in April extended his absence potentially into the following season, limiting his involvement in the latter stages of Cardiff's promotion bid. The 2009–10 season saw Enckelman in a diminished role as backup to and new signing David Marshall, with only four league starts amid ongoing fitness concerns from his knee issues. Over his full tenure at Cardiff from 2008 to 2010, he made 32 appearances across all competitions. Enckelman was released at the end of his contract in May 2010 due to persistent injury problems.

St Johnstone

Enckelman joined St Johnstone on 9 August 2010, signing a two-year contract as a free agent after being released by City. He made his debut for the club five days later, starting in a 1–1 draw away to Hearts on 14 August 2010. Enckelman quickly established himself as the first-choice , though early form was impacted by lingering effects from previous injuries sustained at . During his tenure from 2010 to 2012, Enckelman made 55 appearances across all competitions for St Johnstone, conceding 58 goals while securing 24 clean sheets. He earned particular acclaim for key penalty saves, including one from in the second minute of a 0–1 victory over Celtic on 21 2011, helping secure St Johnstone's first win at in 13 years. Later that season, on 3 December 2011, he saved a spot-kick from Jamie Hamill during a 2–1 home win against Hearts, preserving the lead after St Johnstone had taken an early advantage. Enckelman contributed significantly to St Johnstone's defensive stability in the , aiding mid-table finishes of seventh place in 2010–11 and sixth in 2011–12. His reliable shot-stopping and command in the box were instrumental in maintaining competitive performances against top-flight opposition. He was released by the club at the end of the 2011–12 season, becoming a .

Heart of Midlothian

In August 2012, Heart of Midlothian faced a goalkeeping crisis due to injuries among their options, prompting the club to sign experienced Finnish goalkeeper Peter Enckelman on a short-term contract until January 2013. The 35-year-old joined as emergency cover following a long-term to backup Mark Ridgers, who had been sidelined while on Under-21 duty. Enckelman, recently released by St Johnstone, provided depth behind first-choice Jamie MacDonald. Throughout his tenure, Enckelman served primarily as a third-choice option and saw limited action, making just one appearance for the club. His debut came on 7 2012 in a match against Celtic at , where he entered as a substitute in the 13th minute after MacDonald suffered a concussion from a collision and was stretchered off. Enckelman conceded a low 34th-minute drive from , contributing to a 1–0 defeat, though he later reflected that he could have positioned better for the shot. Enckelman's contract expired at the end of December 2012, and he was released by Hearts in early January 2013 without securing further playing time, marking the conclusion of his professional career in . This brief spell underscored his role as a reliable stopper in the twilight of his career, brought in solely for crisis coverage rather than long-term integration.

Return to Finland

After 14 years playing abroad, Enckelman signed a short-term contract with Veikkausliiga club on 13 June 2013, marking his return to football in his native . During the 2013 season, he made 9 appearances in the , totaling 753 minutes played, primarily serving as an experienced option in goal amid injuries to the primary Simon Nurme. His role extended beyond matches, as the veteran provided guidance to younger teammates, including promising Otso Virtanen, who cited Enckelman as a childhood idol. Enckelman retired from professional football on 1 January 2014, at the age of 36, concluding his career with after a brief stint that saw him contribute to the team's mid-table finish in the . This return to represented a full-circle moment, bookending a career that began with TPS Turku in the mid-1990s and took him through prominent clubs in and .

International career

Youth international career

Peter Enckelman represented the Finland national under-21 team, earning 15 caps from the late 1990s to the early 2000s. His youth international career centered on the qualification campaign for the , where he served as the primary goalkeeper in Group 3 alongside teams such as , , , and . Enckelman featured in key fixtures, including the home match against on 3 September 1999, which Finland won 3–1 in (now ), showcasing his command in goal during a competitive upset against the strong opponents. He also started in the away reverse fixture on 30 March 1999, a 2–0 defeat in , as part of Finland's efforts that ultimately fell short of qualification. These appearances underscored Enckelman's development as a reliable and promising talent, with his shot-stopping and distribution skills drawing attention from scouts and coaches for potential senior-level opportunities. His consistent performances at youth level, bolstered by strong form at club side TPS Turku, facilitated a smooth transition to the senior national team around 2000.

Senior international career

Enckelman made his senior international debut for on 29 March 2000 in a friendly against , coming on as a substitute in a 2–1 win. Over the course of his career with the national team, he earned 12 caps between 2000 and 2010, all in friendly matches. Primarily serving as a backup behind established starters Antti Niemi and , Enckelman was regularly included in Finland's squads for major campaigns, including the qualifiers, though he did not feature in competitive fixtures. His appearances were confined to preparatory games, where he often entered as a substitute to gain experience or provide cover. Notable outings included a full 90-minute performance in a 0–0 draw with on 28 February 2006, where he secured a clean sheet with several key interventions, and a 3–0 victory over on 30 April 2003, marking another . Enckelman recorded two clean sheets overall across his limited starts and substitutions. His debut substitution against featured a crucial save early in the second half. Enckelman's final international appearance came on 3 March 2010 in a 2–1 friendly win against , where he started but was substituted at halftime; during this match, he saved a penalty from . His international retirement followed shortly thereafter, influenced by a injury sustained during his tenure at Cardiff City that limited his availability.

Personal life and legacy

Family background

Peter Enckelman was born on 10 March 1977 in , , to Göran Enckelman, a former professional who represented the national team during the . Göran earned 21 caps for between 1973 and 1978, playing for clubs such as TPS and establishing himself as one of the country's prominent during that era, including winning the Finnish Footballer of the Year award in 1975. Growing up in a centered around professional football, Enckelman was exposed to the from an early age through his father's career, which provided a direct familial influence on his development. This environment naturally steered him toward goalkeeping, as he followed in his father's footsteps by pursuing the same position professionally. The paternal legacy played a key role in shaping Enckelman's career choice, with his early immersion in the demands and techniques of the role fostering a foundational commitment to the position that defined his path in football.

Post-retirement activities

After retiring from professional football in 2014, Peter Enckelman transitioned to a career in , joining Express as a field executive based in , . He began with a short-term following a recreational football that connected him with the company's , evolving into a full-time role by 2016 where he promotes delivery services across , drawing on skills like resilience and communication from his playing days. Enckelman has maintained a keen interest in motorsports beyond his playing career. In January 2007, while at Rovers, he announced backing for the Encke Sport team, planning to enter two Coupes in the that year, with a shift to machinery in 2008; however, the project was postponed due to infrastructure delays and never materialized, with the team instead supporting junior series entries. Since 2014, Enckelman has made sporadic media appearances, often discussing his experiences and the infamous 2002 own goal against Birmingham City in interviews with Finnish outlets covering the English league, as well as international features reflecting on his career blunder. He resides in , leading a low-profile life with no reported involvement in football coaching, management, or broadcasting as of 2025.

Notable incidents and media coverage

One of the most infamous moments in Peter Enckelman’s career occurred on September 16, 2002, during a Premier League Second City derby between Aston Villa and Birmingham City at St Andrew's Stadium. With Birmingham leading 1–0 in the 77th minute, Villa defender Olof Mellberg took a throw-in from the right flank near the edge of the penalty area; the ball rolled slowly toward Enckelman, who attempted to let it pass under his foot but inadvertently nudged it with his heel, directing it into the unguarded net for an own goal. This bizarre error, ruled as such by referee David Elleray despite Enckelman insisting he made no deliberate contact and thus it should have been a goal kick under FIFA rules, contributed to Villa's 3-0 defeat and intensified the rivalry's animosity. The immediate fallout was severe: Enckelman faced intense criticism from manager , who publicly questioned his understanding of the laws of the game, and endured taunts from Birmingham fans, some of whom invaded the pitch post-match to mock him directly. Enckelman apologized to supporters but defended his actions, noting the ball's awkward pace and his split-second decision, while teammate Mellberg expressed bewilderment at the incident's . Despite the blunder, Enckelman retained his starting place at for several subsequent matches, demonstrating resilience amid the scrutiny. The incident's enduring status in football folklore has been revisited in media retrospectives, cementing Enckelman as a symbol of goalkeeping misfortune. In a 2016 Guardian interview, former Birmingham manager recalled the moment as an unforgettable derby highlight, emphasizing its role in local rivalries. More recently, a 2024 Listverse article ranked Enckelman among the "10 Popular but Terrible Goalkeepers," highlighting the own goal as a "cautionary tale" of how a single error can define a career despite broader competence. Enckelman featured in other notable media moments later in his career. During the , representing City against at , he fumbled a low cross from in the 37th minute, allowing to score the decisive goal in a 1-0 loss; Enckelman later reflected phlegmatically that his teammates did not blame him, though the error drew widespread coverage as a pivotal final blunder. At St in the , Enckelman gained positive attention for key penalty saves, including a crucial stop from in the third minute of a 2011 match against Celtic, which helped secure a historic 1-0 victory—the club's first win at in 13 years. Public perception of Enckelman often portrays him as a resilient , capable of high-profile errors yet persistent across multiple clubs and leagues over a 20-year career. Despite the 2002 gaffe overshadowing his reputation in , he earned respect for bouncing back, as noted in profiles describing his "unusual knack of making howlers" balanced by steady performances elsewhere. Enckelman's legacy includes occasional mentions in sports media, such as a 2025 PA Sport listing on his birthday that referenced his career highlights amid history. lists continue to evoke his story for its blend of and pitfalls, underscoring a career marked by memorable mishaps rather than consistent stardom.

Career statistics and honours

Club statistics

Peter Enckelman amassed 250 club appearances as a without scoring any goals, retiring on 1 2014 following a brief stint with . His career statistics reflect consistent play across multiple leagues and cups, with notable periods in the English , , , and Finnish . No recorded appearances occurred after the 2013 season, and there are no verified amateur or reserve games post-retirement. The table below provides an overview of his appearances, goals conceded, and clean sheets by club, aggregated across all competitions where data is available.
ClubAppearancesGoals ConcededClean Sheets
TPS 618321
677322
320
423818
646629
Heart of Midlothian110
12183
Total25028193
Data compiled from verified records; totals exclude any unlisted youth or reserve matches.

Premier League

Enckelman appeared 54 times in the , primarily with Aston Villa and briefly with Rovers, conceding 60 goals while keeping 13 clean sheets.
SeasonClubAppearancesStartsGoals ConcededClean Sheets
1999–2000Aston Villa10994
2001–02Aston Villa9992
2002–03Aston Villa3333407
2003–04 Rovers2220
Total54536013

Championship

In the , all with Cardiff City, Enckelman made 32 appearances, conceding 34 goals and recording 11 clean sheets.
SeasonClubAppearancesStartsGoals ConcededClean Sheets
2007–08Cardiff City1615166
2008–09Cardiff City121195
2009–10Cardiff City4390
Total32293411

Scottish Premiership

Enckelman featured 55 times in the for St Johnstone and Heart of Midlothian, allowing 58 goals and achieving 24 clean sheets.
SeasonClubAppearancesStartsGoals ConcededClean Sheets
2010–11St Johnstone29292514
2011–12St Johnstone25253210
2012–13Heart of Midlothian1010
Total55545824

Veikkausliiga

Enckelman began his senior career with TPS , accumulating 61 appearances across all competitions with 83 goals conceded and 21 clean sheets from 1997 to 1999. Later, with in 2013, he played 9 league matches, conceding 18 goals and keeping 3 clean sheets; overall totals across both clubs reached 64 appearances.

Cup Competitions

Enckelman participated in various domestic and European cups, totaling around 50 appearances. In English cups, he made 7 outings and 11 appearances. With St Johnstone, he featured in 7 matches and 3 games. Additionally, he played 14 matches for Aston Villa and TPS (24 goals conceded, 3 clean sheets).

International statistics

Enckelman earned 15 caps for the U21 national team between 1997 and 2000. He progressed to the senior national team, accumulating 12 caps without scoring between 2000 and 2010, all in friendly matches. His debut came on 29 March 2000, and his final appearance was on 3 March 2010. During this period, which overlapped with his club stints at Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers, Enckelman featured sporadically as a backup to primary goalkeeper . The following table lists all of Enckelman's senior international appearances, including dates, opponents, results (from Finland's perspective), and competition:
DateOpponentResultCompetition
29 March 2000Wales2–1 WFriendly
28 February 2001Luxembourg1–0 WFriendly
15 August 2001Belgium1–4 LFriendly
30 April 2003Iceland0–3 WFriendly
22 May 2003Norway0–2 LFriendly
9 February 2005Cyprus2–1 WFriendly
28 February 2006Kazakhstan0–0 DFriendly
6 February 2008Greece1–2 LFriendly
26 March 2008Bulgaria1–2 LFriendly
29 May 2008Turkey0–2 LFriendly
2 June 2008Belarus1–1 DFriendly
3 March 2010Malta2–1 WFriendly
In these 12 senior appearances, Enckelman conceded a total of 16 goals while achieving 3 clean sheets. Enckelman retired from international duty after his final cap in 2010 and did not feature for thereafter.

Honours

Throughout his professional career, Peter Enckelman achieved limited major honours at the club level. With Aston Villa, he contributed to the team's victory in the , defeating Paris Saint-Germain in the final rounds to secure qualification for the Cup. At Cardiff City, Enckelman played as the starting goalkeeper in the 2008 , reaching the final but finishing as runners-up after a 1–0 defeat to at . No individual awards, such as player of the year recognitions or hall of fame inductions, are documented for Enckelman. His time with other clubs, including TPS Turku and Rovers, yielded no additional titles or accolades. Internationally, while he earned 15 caps for Finland's U21 team and 12 for the senior side, no specific milestones or awards were attained.

References

  1. https://www.transfermarkt.us/peter-enckelman/profil/spieler/3719
  2. https://fbref.com/en/players/b50e147f/Peter-Enckelman
  3. https://www.footballdatabase.eu/en/player/details/4360-peter-enckelman
  4. https://www.sofascore.com/football/player/peter-enckelman/606
  5. https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/2395/Peter_Enckelman.html
  6. https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=16375
  7. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/oct/28/steve-bruce-peter-enckelman-birmingham-aston-villa
  8. https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe4887/peter-enckelman/
  9. https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/father-and-son-goalkeepers-2202518
  10. https://www.transfermarkt.us/goran-enckelman/profil/spieler/249093
  11. http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football/aston-villa-fc/peter-enckelman-9666/premiership-appearances_a14346/
  12. https://www.transfermarkt.us/peter-enckelman/leistungsdaten/spieler/3719
  13. https://www.skysports.com/football/player/3190/peter-enckelman
  14. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/apr/12/newsstory.sport6
  15. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/sep/17/newsstory.sport6
  16. https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/no-doubting-our-thomas-10890
  17. https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2003/1107/176626-enckelman/
  18. https://www.uefa.com/news-media/news/0197-0f8e9b6d438e-30534a6d45c6-1000--whittingham-commits-to-villa/
  19. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/blackburn_rovers/3372967.stm
  20. https://mehstg.co.uk/wp/blackrovernotes/
  21. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/blackburn_rovers/7409389.stm
  22. https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/2280348.blackburn-rovers-release-three-players/
  23. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/apr/05/newsstory.sport13
  24. http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football/cardiff-city-fc/peter-enckelman-9666/league-appearances_a14347/
  25. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/cardiff_city/7407805.stm
  26. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/7393770.stm
  27. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/may/19/facup.cardiffcity1
  28. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/cardiff_city/7895288.stm
  29. https://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/football-news/2009/04/08/cardiff-goalkeeper-enckelman-suffers-further-injury-blow-91466-23336879/
  30. https://longballfootball.wordpress.com/2014/05/15/where-are-they-now-18-2008-fa-cup-final-cardiff/
  31. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/st_johnstone/8898013.stm
  32. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/scot_prem/8909504.stm
  33. https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/ex-aston-villa-keeper-backed-167117
  34. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/14520317
  35. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/dec/03/hearts-st-johnstone-kilmarnock-aberdeen-inverness-spl
  36. https://spfl.co.uk/league/premiership/archive/298
  37. https://spfl.co.uk/league/premiership/archive/299
  38. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/aug/22/hearts-goalkeeper-peter-enckelman-liverpool
  39. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/19301730
  40. https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/hearts/latest-hearts-news/hearts-sign-peter-enckelman-on-short-term-contract-1612495
  41. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20911176
  42. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/19776331
  43. https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/latest-celtic-news/celtic-1-0-hearts-celtic-cash-enckelman-error-1604556
  44. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/20911176
  45. https://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/13069722.hearts-turn-enckelman-see-goalkeeping-crisis/
  46. https://www.transfermarkt.com/ifk-mariehamn/transfers/verein/6017/saison_id/2013
  47. https://www.worldfootball.net/team_performance/ifk-mariehamn/fin-veikkausliiga-2013/
  48. https://www.nyan.ax/sport/enckelman-kvar-i-ifk-sasongen-ut/
  49. https://www.nyan.ax/sport/odmjuk-virtanen-blev-fansens-favorit/
  50. https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/studmarks-former-aston-villa-keeper-6083264
  51. https://www.uefa.com/under21/match/55169--finland-vs-germany/lineups/
  52. https://www.transfermarkt.us/alemanha-sub-21_finlandia-u21/aufstellung/spielbericht/3698951
  53. https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/news/0254-0d7b991f0b55-b6dabba3a3f4-1000--finns-dealing-from-full-deck/
  54. https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/cardiff_city/7895288.stm
  55. https://www.transfermarkt.com/peter-enckelman/profil/spieler/3719
  56. https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/48894/Goeran_Enckelman.html
  57. https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-where-now-peter-11863025
  58. https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/how-the-keeper-who-gift-wrapped-a-goal-became-the-face-of-dhl-mk5mrd8cf
  59. https://www.crash.net/btcc/news/9848/1/encke-sport-puts-back-btcc-plans
  60. https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/enckelman-adamant-blunder-was-not-a-goal-177319.html
  61. https://www.skysports.com/football/news/2245483/mellberg-and-enckelman-bemused
  62. https://www.hitc.com/peter-enckelman-relives-nighmare-incident-for-aston-villa-agains/
  63. https://listverse.com/2024/12/30/10-popular-but-terrible-goalkeepers/
  64. https://www.thecelticwiki.com/2011-08-21-celtic-0-1-st-johnstone-spl/
  65. https://www.balls.ie/football/this-goalkeeper-pulled-a-bit-of-a-peter-enckelman-82166
  66. https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/pa-sport-trivia-10-03-081111387.html
  67. https://www.transfermarkt.com/peter-enckelman/leistungsdaten/spieler/3719
  68. https://www.footballsite.co.uk/Statistics/European/Clubs/AstonVilla2001-02.htm
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