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Peter Shilton regaled enthusiastic sports fans at the Dilmun Club last week with tales from his 30 years as a top professional goalkeeper. Those tainted by the experience of listening to Razor Ruddock’s recent lude ramblings had their faith restored as Shilts regaled the audience with stories from his career.
A common thread throughout was the difficult job of being a ’keeper, remembered more for the howlers than any magnificence.
He was involved in the game that led to the sacking of Sir Alf Ramsey as England manager, the man who gave him his debut as a 21-year-old in 1970. Despite constant England pressure it was a mistake by Shilton that led to Poland taking the lead. Although they equalised from a penalty, the draw was less than England needed resulting in the dismissal of the only man to lead England to success in the World Cup.
True to Shilton’s claim that ‘keepers are remembered for the goals they let in’, he spoke for length about the ‘Hand of God goal’ punched into the net by Diego Maradona as Argentina extinguished England’s hopes in the quarter-final at the World Cup in Mexico in 1986. The England captain at the time was more magnanimous about the second goal although did confess to having never shaken his hand after the event!
His career was not all doom and gloom. He talked about the goal he scored at Southampton in 1967 on a blustery day at the Dell. His most successful period came under Brian Clough as his safe hands helped Nottingham Forest to a league title and then back-to-back European Cup victories.
There were several stories about the man-management technique of Cloughie although he spoke fondly of the day he signed, with the man in the baggy green sweatshirt having managed to dispense with the management advisers through delays and cunning. Face-to-face the signing was a formality!
During the Q&A Shilton also spoke of his regret at not having won the FA Cup, despite having played in his first final aged just 19. He also spoke fondly of the best player he played with (Bobby Moore) and the ‘hardest’ (Kenny Burns). However, he saved the greatest pleasantries for his great rival, Ray Clemence, who he also referred to as a great friend.
England’s longest serving male player left Bahrain having thoroughly enjoyed his short stay, expressing a hope to return again soon, possibly to provide some specialist coaching.
