In safe hands

"AS A GOALKEEPER I used to come in after a game and hold my hands up if I'd made a mistake because that's what you should do, and that's exactly what I did when I realised I'd got myself into a mess."

It is never easy to admit things have not turned out the way you planned.

It is arguably even harder when you have spent your whole career on a single-minded quest for perfection, a life-long mission to be revered as the world's greatest in your chosen profession.

It takes a big man to stand up and say, "I've screwed up."

But Peter Shilton is a big man and not just physically.

Peter Shilton OBE is a legend - no ifs nor buts.

None of the rose-tinted spectacles canonisation of footballers seen so often in the modern game where one decent match or memorable goal can make a celebrity.

Shilton's record in both domestic and international football sets him miles apart from any of his peers.

A world record 125 caps keeping goal for England plus an astonishing 1,005 league appearances under his belt make Shilton a true great.

He is also a man who has had his problems - a man who battled back from the brink of financial ruin and in doing so ensured he would be remembered for his exploits on the pitch, not off it.

As he sits signing copies of his book Peter Shilton - The Autobiography in Southampton, the 55-year-old ex-keeper looks at ease, willing to talk to any supporter who has taken the time to invest in his story.

Every introduction is greeted with a warm handshake, a smile and a seemingly genuine "Pleased to meet you". If Shilton was arrogant during his playing career, he certainly goes a long way to dispelling that image in public.

He spends two hours conversing animatedly with the procession of Saints-shirted aficionados who have queued patiently to meet one of their club's favourite sons.

He takes time to discuss treasured memories of the Dell, even speaking to one fan's dad on the phone, and goes out of his way to make everyone feel comfortable.

Just as he was throughout his celebrated 31-year career, Shilton is in total control of the situation, commanding his audience as he commanded his penalty area.

He is man who has faced his demons and won and is now ready to tell the world about it.

In the mid-90s, following a rollercoaster spell as manager of second-division Plymouth Argyle, Shilton was staring into the financial abyss; unsuccessful forays into racehorse and property investment, coupled with an over-fondness for punting, had left him on the verge of bankruptcy.

It was not a problem that had arisen suddenly, Shilton describing it rather as "a boil coming to a head".

But it was a problem that needed addressing, and sharpish, if Shilton's impeccable reputation as one of the world's greatest ever sportsmen was to remain intact.

Pride, he admits, may have stopped him seeking help a lot sooner, but ultimately pride saved him from losing everything.

"Although I'd had a terrific career I had to put it right. There was an element of not taking advice and thinking I could do things because you get a bit cocooned in the lifestyle of the job you're doing.

"To be so professional on the pitch and then find this situation arise was something new I had to deal with.

"But I faced up to it, got through it and recovered. I had to do that before I could write about it."

In the book, Shilton recalls how since childhood holidays at Mablethorpe he had associated horse racing with happiness, having seen his father, a respected greengrocer in the family's home city of Leicester, enjoy a bit of luck on the gee-gees.

The introduction of legalised telephone betting allowed him to fuel his passion while, after signing for Saints in 1982, he also rekindled an interest in racehorse ownership.

Shilton maintains that while the gambling was an issue - a hobby that became an obsession - his gambling debts were small compared to what he owed building societies, banks, the Inland Revenue and individual lenders.

He is not ashamed to say it created problems for his family and affected his relationship with wife Sue.

"It was there as part of your life under the surface and once it came to a head it was obviously a difficult time. But I've been married 34 years now and my family helped me as much as they could although only I could get out of it."

Talking one-on-one with Shilton is a pretty intense experience. As affable and friendly as he is, it is very difficult not to feel occasionally overawed by the man sitting across the table.

His dark eyes lock on to yours as he talks, to the extent that you feel it would be disrespectful to look away, and he considers every answer carefully before responding to the question.

He is not necessarily intimidating, more imposing both physically and in terms of presence.

Shilton has never been the tallest man but he is big. His shoulders are wide, accentuated by the jacket he is wearing, his neck thick, and his hands huge.

Again, you are left with little doubt as to who is controlling the situation.

But this is a man who has played in three World Cups and won two European Cups among countless other domestic trophies; he made a career out of being in control, so is it any wonder that trait remains so dominant?

Even as a kid kicking a ball against a fence and diving to save it, perfection was Shilton's byword. His father's achievements as a businessman taught him success does not come cheaply or quickly and dedication and perseverance was key.

As far as Shilton was concerned it was all or nothing. It was an attitude that stood him in good stead as his career unfurled.

"I think I was a very good professional in terms of how I conducted myself and played. I always felt I gave 100 per cent in every game."

After rejecting the advances of Manchester United and Arsenal, Shilton became Leicester City's youngest ever debutant when in May 1966, aged 16, he deputised for number one Gordon Banks who was away on England duty.

His first full international cap came four years later and following a tragic incident in 1973, when Banks was blinded in one eye in a car accident, Shilton found himself as his country's first choice.

He went on to captain England 14 times and in 1986 found himself embroiled in one of the most controversial incidents in World Cup history - Maradona's Hand Of God.

Shilton remembers vividly the roar around the Azteca Stadium in Mexico as Diego Maradona fisted the ball past him to put Argentina on course for a place in the semi-finals.

He eventually retired from the international scene fast approaching his 41st birthday after the 1990 World Cup in Italy.

Italia 90, despite the heartbreak of semi-final penalty shoot-out defeat by West Germany, remains his international high spot - "that's still the best any England side has done abroad in a major championships."

Back on home soil, spells at Stoke City and Nottingham Forest - where Shilton tasted European glory in 1979 and 1980 - followed his departure from Leicester, before he headed south to join Lawrie McMenemy's Saints in 1982.

Living in Chilworth with Sue, and their sons Michael and Sam, Shilton acknowledges this as one of the most enjoyable periods of his career, winning more international caps while at the Dell than any other player.

Although based near Kenilworth, Warwickshire for the past six years, Shilton still has a soft spot for his former club, admitting he and Sue loved Hampshire and have considered moving back.

He is sorry to see Saints struggling at the wrong end of the Premiership.

"They've done exceptionally well to survive over the years against the big clubs and it's sad to see them having such an indifferent start to the season but there's still a long way to go."

After making his milestone 1,000th league appearance as a Leyton Orient player in December 1996, Shilton enjoyed just five more outings before hanging up his gloves for good.

He no longer plays competitively or in testimonials, recently turning down the chance to star in Sky One's high-profile series The Match because "It's not like being an outfield player where you flick a few balls and people say you've still got a bit of skill.

"As a keeper if someone sticks three or four past you, it's not quite as enjoyable!"

He keeps himself fit so he can "show people I can still do it" when taking part in corporate penalty shoot-outs, something he enjoys, and has become a popular figure on the after-dinner circuit.

Despite his experience at Plymouth, Shilton also harbours ambitions to return to management - "I feel there's a bit of unfinished business in that respect and I'd be very confident about taking any job on but it's got to be the right situation."

If Shilton wants to manage he has certainly had the opportunity to learn from the best.

The list of the people he has worked under reads like a who's who of English football's hall of fame: Sir Alf Ramsey, Sir Bobby Robson and Brian Clough.

Clough was the man Shilton turned to for advice when he felt his England career was suffering as a Stoke City player.

And it was under Clough that Shilton helped Forest conquer Europe.

Shilton admits he had never met anyone with more self-belief than himself until he encountered Brian Clough, identifying him as "somebody I could relate to".

Clough never failed to court controversy and spoke frankly about his alcohol abuse. Shilton, however, denies he ever had a problem on that front saying: "We enjoyed a few nights out but I never had a drink problem."

When Clough died from stomach cancer in September, Shilton joined his ex-Forest team-mates for an emotional parade of the six trophies their former boss won at the club's City Ground home.

Shilton believes it was a fitting send-off for a man he hails "the best manager England never had".

"I had a lot of admiration for him. In many ways he helped my career and I'd like to think I helped him win a couple of European Cups.

"The service, the people that turned up and the way everything was conducted was just about right for somebody that deserved a lot of respect in the game.

"He was like me, he had his problems, but I think people will remember the football.

"Geoff Boycott said Brian didn't discipline himself as much as he probably disciplined everyone else.

"He had his weaknesses but people will remember him for his great career and hopefully that will be the same as myself."