Saved: Overcoming a 45-Year Gambling Addiction

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

* 8 hours and 39 minutes *

After a trophy-laded and record-setting club and international career, England's greatest ever goalkeeper, Peter Shilton, could rightly look forward to an equally successful post-playing career. But a gambling habit forged in his playing days soon spiraled into a gambling addiction: a silent, self-destructive and ruinous obsession that destroyed relationships, his mental health and very nearly himself.

With the love and support of his with Steph, he was able to face up to his addiction, find hope for the future and overcome his 45-year secret and turn his life around.

Peter and Steph - who has over 20 years' experience working in the NHS - now campaign to raise awareness of this, and other destructive addictions, helping both addicts and their partners weather the long and arduous journey back to recovery. Their support for and work with 'The Big Step' campaign aims to bring in stricter advertising controls and team kit sponsorship rules.

Steph and Peter bravely tell both sides of their journey with a direct honesty and an empathy born of real-life experience, offering advice and hope to not only those affected by gambling, but sufferers of other chronic addictions. They also shine a light on football's millions of pounds from the gambling sites and bookies who sponsor the game, while neglecting to support the players and fans who fall prey to addiction.

This is the ultimately uplifting story of how he was saved - by Steph's love and support, and his own strength and determination.


©2021 Peter Shilton and Steph Shilton (P)2021 Boldwood Books

Genres: Football, Biography, Sports, Autobiography, Nonfiction

9 pages, Audible Audio

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 .

[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...