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.

Stoke City

As the season came to an end, Leicester got to the FA Cup semi finals where Shilton was beaten - in a replay after the initial game ended goalless - by a stunning lobbed volley from Liverpool's Kevin Keegan, which helped dump Leicester out of the competition at the cruellest of stages. By this stage, Shilton was wearing an all-white goalkeeper's kit instead of the traditional green after lending his name to the Admiral sportswear chain. This distinctive kit brought a lot of Press attention and pundit Jimmy Hill even claimed on television that Keegan was able to score the goal he did because the kit made it easier for him to see Shilton's position from the corner of his eye.

Related Topics:
Kevin Keegan - Jimmy Hill

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Shilton left Leicester that summer, deciding he needed a change. He joined Stoke City for 325,000 pounds. By now he and Clemence were beginning to open a real battle to be regarded as England's top keeper, and each were given their share of caps. In 1975, however, Clemence seemed to be getting the edge, winning eight of the nine caps available under new coach Don Revie, though England failed to reach the 1976 European Championships during this period. Shilton played just once for England in 1975, not at all in 1976 and just twice in 1977 - indeed, he became so frustrated at his lack of chances that in the summer of 1976, he pulled out of the squad which was heading for the USA for a bi-centennial celebration tournament and asked not to be considered again, only to reverse his decision three months later. Clemence was in control, overtaking Shilton's caps total in the process as England fought in vain to reach the 1978 World Cup. Stoke were a struggling side, and upon relegation in 1977 Shilton asked for a transfer in the hope of reviving his England career.

Related Topics:
Stoke City - Pounds - 1975 - Don Revie - 1976 European Championships - 1976 - 1977 - USA - Bi-centennial - 1978 World Cup

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