Statistically, the safest goalkeeper of Leicester City's history, the talented Shilton's football career spans decades. Born in Leicester on September 18th 1949, his time at Leicester City Football Club saw him concede an average of only 1.18 goals per game. An extremely impressive figure for a player who made 339 appearances for that team alone.
If football is in the blood, then Shilton's must have been pumping! At just fifteen years of age, Peter assisted the 'Leicester Boys' to a 1965 Trophy win. Picking up his first international recognition with 'England Schools', Peter became City's youngest ever First Division debutant at the age of sixteen. (Of course the First Division is now the Premier League.)
Soon the top league clubs were lining up in the hopes of poaching Shilton. He was an attractive prospect with a promising future and his guaranteed position in the England youth team only emphasized this. Shilton however, chose to remain with Leicester and during 1970/71, he assisted the team in creating it's best ever defensive record. A record which included a run of 23 games with a clean sheet.
Peter remained with City until 1974 by which time, he had accrued thirteen England Under-23 caps. Leicester City as a team however were not looking good in the trophy prospects. Peter became increasingly unhappy and City's then manager, Jimmy Bloomfield, reluctantly accepted a cheque from Stoke for Shilton's transfer.
Peter ascended the ladder of success goalkeeping for tops teams including Nottingham Forest, Wimbledon and Coventry. His place in the England squad assured, he soon became known as England's undisputed No. 1 goalkeeper.
Shilton became the most-capped England player of all time, with 125 caps to his name. In July 1990, Peter retired from the international scene and moved into player/management status.
Peter has carved his own niche in football history, but testament to his talents are the civil honours he received along with it. An MBE (Member of the British Empire) was bestowed on him in 1986 which in 1991 was upgraded to an OBE (Order of the British Empire) for his services to English sport.
Shilton's career saw him notch up 995 league appearances, over a third of these for Leicester City! There are many who believe he'll hit the 1,000 mark...... we're not quite sure that he's through yet!
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