Peter Shilton

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Lore & Background

Shilton caught the eye of first-team goalkeeper Gordon Banks while training as a 13-year-old. After his debut in 1966, management sided with the teenage prodigy and sold Banks. In October 1967, Shilton scored against Southampton when their keeper Campbell Forsyth misjudged a punt that spun off the pitch and flew over Forsyth's head into the goal. Leicester won that match 5–1. The next season saw him reach the FA Cup Final at Wembley, where he became one of the event's youngest-ever goalkeepers, but a single goal from Manchester City's Neil Young secured the win for the opposition.

In Their Own Story

In October 1967, the match against Southampton turned on a moment of brilliance from the young keeper. Shilton cleared the ball from his own end, and instead of landing harmlessly in the mud, it spun off the pitch and flew over the head of Southampton goalkeeper Campbell Forsyth into the net. Leicester won the game 5–1. A year later, at just 19 years old, he stood between the posts for Leicester City in the FA Cup Final at Wembley. Despite his efforts, a goal from Neil Young early in the match was enough to defeat them.

Reader's Guide

Shilton started training with Leicester City as a schoolboy in 1963 and made his first-team debut in May 1966 against Everton. His rise was rapid; by late 1967, he had scored a goal directly from a clearance. In the 1968–69 season, at age 19, he played in the FA Cup Final, becoming one of the youngest goalkeepers to do so, though Leicester lost to Manchester City. He remained with the club until November 1974, when he transferred to Stoke City for £325,000.

Did You Know?

• Shilton scored a goal directly from a clearance against Southampton in October 1967 when the opposing goalkeeper misjudged his long punt.
• At age 19, Shilton played in the FA Cup Final for Leicester City, becoming one of the event's youngest-ever goalkeepers.
• His emergence as a teenage prodigy led Leicester City to sell World Cup winner Gordon Banks to Stoke City.
• Shilton made his debut for Leicester City at age 16 against Everton in May 1966.