All 2026/27 League One club's main goalkeeper ranked from worst to best | OneFootball

FLW looks at who the best shot-stopper in the third tier this season is

The 2026/27 League One campaign is getting into full swing, and thus far, attack has won out over defence.

It feels like more goals are being scored than in recent seasons at this early stage, with numerous five-goal hauls from sides and even a seven-goal one from Sheffield Wednesday against Bromley.

Therefore, the early season hasn't been too kind on goalkeepers, but who is still coming out of this hectic, attack-heavy opening with the most credit?

Football League World has ranked every one of League One's main shot-stoppers from worst to best.

24 ? ? Shamal George - Bromley

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It's been a real baptism of fire for Shamal George in the Bromley goal to begin the new campaign, with the Ravens defence looking at sea numerous times already.

The 28-year-old has had the unfortunate task of being the man to try and keep the ball out of the net, and while he leads the way thus far in terms of the number of saves he's had to make, that's bound to happen when you play for a side who, as of writing, have allowed over 10 shots on target more than any other club in the division.

Before joining Bromley, George's career was built in the SPL, but he wasn't incredible for the likes of Livingston, with whom he got relegated, and St Mirren last season.

Someone has to take the wooden spoon, and the Ravens' number one takes that on this occasion.

23 ? ? Rogan Ravenhill - Barnsley

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It's a very young squad all across the board at Barnsley this season, and that doesn't stop in goal, where 20-year-old academy graduate Rogan Ravenhill is making his first steps into EFL football in the absence of Ipswich Town loanee Cieran Slicker.

Ravenhill hadn't made his Tykes debut until the EFL Cup first-round tie against Wigan Athletic. Before that, he spent last season on loan with National League North clubs Leamington and Macclesfield.

Ultimately, there isn't much to go on compared to other, more senior goalkeepers to warrant a place higher up, and unlike some of the other younger players still to come, Ravenhill hasn't been developed in an elite academy.

22 ? ? Jake Eastwood - Cambridge United

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Jake Eastwood was incredible in between the sticks last season for Cambridge United in League Two, keeping 19 clean sheets, having a save percentage of over 70% and conceding just 33 goals in 45 appearances.

However, at 29, that was his first proper season as a number one, with the Sheffield United academy graduate bouncing around different sporadic loan spells before a two-year stint at Grimsby Town, which then led him to The Abbey.

It's unknown how Eastwood will adapt to the increase in level now that he's in League One. As of writing, he's yet to keep a clean sheet, but has been, overall, solid. Let's see how the campaign plays out, but for now, there isn't enough to put him any higher than 22nd.

21 ? ? James Belshaw - Notts County

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James Belshaw lived out every football fan's dream last season when he signed for boyhood club Notts County midway through it and helped them earn promotion back to League One, keeping clean sheets in all three play-off outings.

The 35-year-old has carved out a very solid CV in non-league and in League Two, but this is only his second season in League One in his long career.

That campaign saw him in between the sticks for Bristol Rovers in 2022/23, where he conceded over 10 more goals than the expected goals he faced, with a save percentage in the low 60s. Not brilliant, and it saw him sent back to League Two with Forest Green Rovers, and then back to Harrogate Town.

I think every neutral fan wants Belshaw to do well, given the story behind his move to Notts, but there are better goalkeeping options than the 35-year-old.

20 ? ? Corey Addai - Burton Albion

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It's been a rough couple of years for Corey Addai at Stockport County. The Jamaican was brought in ahead of the Hatters' first season back in League One to be the man to finally take the reins from club legend Ben Hinchliffe, but he would find himself dropped midway through both seasons for the veteran keeper.

The towering six-foot-eight goalkeeper has since been shipped out on loan to Burton Albion for the campaign, as Jimmy McNulty put his stamp on things, which we'll get onto later.

Ultimately, this season is a big one for Addai. He'll be out of the limelight at a side battling for promotion, but will now be relied upon to keep the ball out for a team expected to fight against relegation, even if the start the Brewers have made suggests otherwise.

As of writing, he's yet to keep a clean sheet, but has been solid, unlike his time at Edgeley Park, where it felt like a mistake was around the corner.

19 ? ? Tommy Setford - Stevenage

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Stevenage had to scramble quickly on deadline day when star goalkeeper (and likely would-be number one on this list) Filip Marschall left for Millwall.

They ultimately landed on promising Arsenal prospect Tommy Setford, who is embarking on his first loan spell in his career. Not many know what to expect, but having come through the academies at the Emirates and then Ajax during his time in the Netherlands, the England Under-21 international has high hopes.

His lack of senior experience does hinder a place higher up, but the promise keeps him from being right at the bottom. Come May, the 20-year-old could be even higher.

18 ? ? Josef Bursik - AFC Wimbledon

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As of writing, we're only six games into the new season, and AFC Wimbledon have played three different goalkeepers.

Portsmouth loanee Josef Bursik has been the man between the sticks for the last two games, and has kept clean sheets in both, so we'll assume that starting spot will be his for the time being.

The 26-year-old was incredibly promising out of the Stoke City academy, earning England under-21 caps, but has lost his way quite a bit over the last few years, since moving to Belgian giants Club Brugge.

Bursik never actually played for their senior side before returning to the EFL at Fratton Park, and struggled to nail down the starting spot in the Pompey goal last year, with this loan spell finally giving him the chance to become a number one again.

So far, so good for the 26-year-old, but we'll hold judgement until more of the season has passed.

17 ? ? Craig MacGillivray - MK Dons

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It should only be a matter of time before new arrival Will Dennis takes his place in between the sticks at MK Dons, but for the opening stages of the campaign, it's been Craig MacGillivray who has been Paul Warne's first choice.

The Scotsman was brought back into the fold by Warne after he was seen as a backup under the likes of Mike Williamson and Scott Lindsey, and kept 15 clean sheets en route to promotion last season.

He also has a good reputation at third-tier level, too, from his time with Portsmouth and Charlton Athletic in the late 2010s / early 2020s.

It's not been the best start for Milton Keynes, though, who have allowed a lot of shots on goal. Like with Bromley's George, that reflects well on the 33-year-old's stats, but it isn't really enough to push him further up the ranking.

16 ? ? Joe Lumley - Sheffield Wednesday

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Sheffield Wednesday's attacking additions were so exciting this summer that you felt the defensive additions, and especially the ones in goal, let them down somewhat.

Maybe it's not all too bad, but new Owls number one Joe Lumley isn't at the level of the likes of Barry Bannan, Louie Barry and Davis Keillor-Dunn, when comparing them to their peers in each position.

The 31-year-old has shown that he has a mistake in him in recent times at Championship level, which ultimately is the reason he's spent the last few years playing backup, but in League One, he's a decent option for the new-look Wednesday side.

Another keeper who is yet to keep a clean sheet as of writing this season, but has made a few key saves for the Owls in the infancy of the campaign.

15 ? ? Tommy Simkin - Doncaster Rovers

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You get the feeling that this year has to be a good season for Tommy Simkin after the quite harmful campaign that was 2025/26.

The 21-year-old shot-stopper and England Under-21 backup keeper struggled in what was a rather difficult situation on loan at Leyton Orient, and then the injury to Viktor Johansson forced parent club Stoke City to recall him and play him in Championship games.

Evidently, Simkin wasn't ready for the second tier at all, but did manage three clean sheets in 15 for a Potters side who were in free fall during the second half of last season after their strong start.

Now he's back out on loan in League One, playing for one of the worst sides in terms of underperforming their expected goals last season, Doncaster Rovers. Donny conceded 15 more than their xGA would suggest they should have in 2025/26.

If Simkin can reduce that, then he'll be going a long way to realising the potential he has and bumping himself nearer the top half.