Piter Shilton Goalkeeper Date of Birth: 18.09.1949 Country: Great Britain

1. Peter Shilton
2. Club Career
3. Later Career
4. Later Years and Retirement

Peter Shilton

Peter Shilton, born on September 18, 1949, is an English football goalkeeper. He is best known for his impressive career statistics, particularly the number of goals he conceded. In his 125 appearances for the national team, he allowed the ball to cross the goal line only 80 times. It is worth noting that 14 goals were scored against him from penalties, and Diego Maradona famously scored a handball goal against him in the 1986 World Cup.

Club Career

Shilton began his professional career in 1965, playing for Leicester City until 1974. Each season, he improved his skills and eventually replaced the legendary English goalkeeper Gordon Banks, who had moved to Stoke City in the 1967/68 season. Shilton played in the FA Cup final and received his first call-up to the national team in 1971. However, he experienced a period of poor performance during his time at Stoke City, where he was brought in to replace the retired Banks.

In 1977, Shilton joined Nottingham Forest under the management of Brian Clough. It was during this time that he found his footing and achieved great success. He won the English league championship in 1978 and claimed two European Cups in 1979 and 1980. Additionally, he won the UEFA Super Cup in 1979.

Shilton also solidified his position as the goalkeeper for the English national team during this period. He was consistently regarded as the best goalkeeper in the world. Known for his professional approach to the game, rigorous training sessions, and deep interest in the theory and practice of goalkeeping, Shilton authored a guidebook for aspiring goalkeepers called "Peter Shilton's Lessons." He was highly skilled at reading the game, calculating angles and ball trajectories, and had outstanding reflexes.

Later Career

After his successful stint at Nottingham Forest, Shilton played for Southampton from 1982 to 1987 and then for Derby County from 1987 to 1991. These clubs were considered mediocre, and Shilton's presence was seen as a luxury. He only played for these clubs when he wore the England national team goalkeeper sweater.

Shilton's remarkable career statistics include conceding only 80 goals in 125 appearances for the national team. Of these, 14 goals were penalties, and Maradona's handball goal was also counted against him.

Later Years and Retirement

Shilton continued to demonstrate his psychological and physical endurance, allowing him to maintain his excellence until the age of 47. In addition to the aforementioned clubs, he played for Plymouth (1991-1994) and Bolton Wanderers (1995). On December 22, 1996, he achieved a phenomenal record by playing his 1000th match in the English league while representing Leyton Orient, where he was already working as a coach.

Shilton participated in the European Championships in 1980 and 1984, as well as the World Cups in 1982 and 1990, where he played his final match in the third-place playoff between Italy and England, resulting in a 2-1 victory for Italy. Shilton's exceptional goalkeeping skills, both mentally and physically, allowed him to continue his mastery of the position throughout his illustrious career.