Petr Cech's complete cock-up against Turkey at Euro 2008 is one of a long, long list of extremely embarrassing situations for goalkeepers throughout the history of football.

The old cliche that you have to be slightly or completely mad to want to be a goalkeeper is rather true. It's a specialised area of the game where the microscope can be very damaging to the individual simply because one mistake is highlighted again and again.

There are really no in-betweens for keepers; you're either the hero or the villain. It's a thankless task at times and goalkeepers must be commended for having the character and commitment to put themselves in the firing line match after match.

Some goalkeepers unfortunately do bring it on themselves. Rene Higuita, the Colombian keeper with the curly mullet and porn-star moustache, must go down as one of the most eccentric goalkeepers ever seen. His howler against Cameroon at the 1994 World Cup in America was just typical of the man. Attempting to dribble the ball outside his own penalty area when there really was no need, allowed the old man of football, Roger Milla, the opportunity to nick the ball from him and rattle it into the net. Madness.

Massimo Taibi will always be remembered at Manchester United after a rather tame shot from Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier somehow squirmed out of the Italian's grasp, through his legs and into the net. Only four appearances were made by the hapless Taibi who was last heard of playing for Ascoli Calcio. Not one of Alex Ferguson's more memorable signings.

Now on loan at Cardiff, a certain Peter Enckelman's name will forever be imprinted on the memory of Aston Villa fans after the infamous incident from a throw-in by team-mate Olof Mellberg. The Swedish defender threw the ball back to his keeper, who somehow let the ball roll under his foot and into the empty net. What made it worse (if that was possible) was the fact that it was against local rivals Birmingham. A classic for everyone not connected with Villa.

The best one I ever saw was not really the goalkeeper's fault but down to some very quick-thinking by that diminutive Nottingham Forest winger Gary Crosby, way back in the early 90s.

Man City keeper Andy Dibble had caught the ball from a corner kick and was holding it in his right hand, palm underneath the ball. It wasn't really in his full possession and Crosby, who had been behind him from the corner, sneaked up and nodded the ball out of Dibble's hand and rolled the ball into the net.

After this incident it became noticeable just how many keepers clutched the ball to their chest and double-checked who was behind them. It actually happened to Shay Given in a slightly different way at Newcastle years later.

Tim Flowers also let a harmless pot-shot by Stan Collymore go right through him when his team, Blackburn, faced Liverpool, and not to be outdone, Jerzy Dudek waded in with a clanger against Manchester United. What made it worse for Dudek was the fact that it was serial misser Diego Forlan, or should I say Forlorn, who took advantage.

It's no real consolation to Cech now, simply because his blooper was in the second biggest footballing competition in the world, and it did cost his country a place in the quarter-finals. But perhaps he can take some solace from knowing that he is not alone.