Peter Shilton

Peter Shilton MBE OBE (born Leicester, England, September 18, 1949) was an outstanding goalkeeper who holds the record for most international appearances for his country.

Local Boy Made Good

Shilton was 13 when he started training at schoolboy level with his local club Leicester City. where he caught the eye of first team goalkeeper Gordon Banks, who commented to the coach about how promising he was. Within four years, Shilton had forced Banks' own departure from Leicester after the teenager gave the club an ultimatum over which goalkeeper should be first choice.

Related Topics:
Leicester City - Gordon Banks

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In May 1966, a 16 year old Shilton had made his debut for Leicester against Everton and his potential was quickly spotted to the extent that the Leicester management sided with their teenage prodigy and sold Banks, a World Cup winner the previous year, to Stoke City. Shilton settled into first team life thereafter, even managing to score a goal against Southampton in October 1967 direct from a clearance at the opposite end of the pitch.

Related Topics:
May - 1966 - Everton - World Cup - Stoke City - Southampton - October - 1967

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The following season Leicester had a mixed season; suffering relegation from the First Division, but reaching the FA Cup final at Wembley and a 19 year old Shilton became one of the event's youngest-ever goalkeepers. It didn't go his way, however, as a single goal from Manchester City's Neil Young early in the match was enough to win the game. Despite the many honours and accolades which were to come Shilton's way, he would not appear in an FA Cup final again.

Related Topics:
First Division - FA Cup - Wembley - Manchester City - Neil Young

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~