Saved: Overcoming a 45-Year Gambling Addiction

by Peter Shilton, Steph Shilton (Contributor), Gary Lineker (Contributor)(Foreword)

Peter Shilton is a legend in football. One of the greatest goalkeepers to play in this country, his 25 clean sheets in one season at Nottingham Forest, and 67 throughout a lengthy international career are landmarks in the modern game. He started out at 15 with Leicester City, achieved fame at Stoke City, then won two European Cups and a League Championship medal with Forest. He's played in numerous World Cup campaigns (both successful and unsuccessful), was the keeper involved with Maradona's 'Hand of God', and, aged 40, was still playing with Derby County in the First Division while representing England at Italia '90. Throughout the nineties he became increasingly embroiled in gambling and related problems which culminated in near bankruptcy. The full story of his financial difficulties, numerous anecdotes concerning the likes of Brian Clough, Peter Taylor and Sir Alf Ramsey; in fact an entire three decades in football is covered in just under 400 pages.

Genres: Football, Biography, Sports, Autobiography, Nonfiction

175 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2004

Reviews

[Ray Smillie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Addictions are an illness, whatever form it comes in. Alcohol and drug addiction has been recognised for some time but it is only in recent years that gambling has been mooted as an addiction. Starts off with Peter in denial then recognising he did have a problem and dealing with it, thanks to Steph. His career is covered thereafter.

[Gav Johnson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Have read far better autobiographies. Great keeper , however comes across as though even when he makes mistakes in the match there was some reason why.. such as the ball was to light or the pitch wasn't right, the bounce was different. Would have preferred if he has just came out and said something along the lines of " I had a nightmare...my fault no excuses " but never does unfortunately. Credit where it's due he was a fantastic keeper and had an absolutely incredible career.

[Terry · Rating 2 out of 5]

A book of two halves.

The first half looked at the terrible gambling addiction that Pete Shilton had and how his wife and he overcame it. The 2nd half was looking at some home truths behind the vice like grip gambling addiction can hold on the old and young and how very little is being done to help those in this situation. Hopefully this book will help people see that gambling is as dangerous and life threatening as drugs and alcohol if left to overtake. Having never gambled, I can't imagine or understand the obsession and the heartache it causes, but the insight here is powerful stuff .

[The Villan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shilton was one of my favourite English goalkeepers who was amazing to watch. This was a very honest insight into his life as a professional footballer and a person with gambling and poor financial judgement. I have read a number of footballers biographies and this was an easy read, even when he talked about games and statistics he made it enjoyable. I was somewhat surprised that he had no photographs in the book of himself and/or teammates as you’d find in similar books.

[Dave B · Rating 2 out of 5]

The most interesting part of this book is when Peter talks about his career. He was without doubt the finest English born keeper. The gambling addiction teaches you nothing. Steph adds nothing to the book in reality other than blowing hers or Peters trumpet. A very average read.

[Duncan Steele · Rating 1 out of 5]

Either the ghost writer is taking the michael or Shilton actually does think of live as nothing more than a series of cliched footballer speak statements that read like a rejected strip for Roy of the Rovers. That his thoughts on Dixon of Dock Green take up more space than the one appearance Shilton made in the FA Cup final tells you all you need to know.

[Alister Betts · Rating 2 out of 5]

Standard footballer fare; I probably only finished it as he was a hero of mine and watched him many times. A shame as there was so much more story to tell here, worth the £2.49 from Oxfam though...

[Gary K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written. Enjoyed it

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, I'm 2/5 of the way through that pack of football bios I found at Half Price Books in Mason...