Saved: Overcoming a 45-Year Gambling Addiction

by Peter Shilton, Steph Shilton, Gary Lineker

'Engrossing.' Daily Mail 'Very inspiring. It's the kind of book you could give somebody and they could learn a lesson.' Jeremy Vine, BBC Radio 2 'Such an important message." Holly Willoughby, This Morning ‘An absolutely brilliant and important book.’ Dan Wootton, GB News ‘Peter and Steph tell a horrifying story, which thankfully has a happy ending. Addiction is a terrible thing in any field, and can shatter lives. Without Steph, Peter would not be in the happy place that he finds himself today. Everyone needs a Steph in their lives, but sadly there's only one of her!’ Iain Dale, LBC Radio
After a trophy-laden 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 spiralled into a gambling a silent, self-destructive and ruinous obsession that destroyed relationships, his mental health and very nearly himself. With the love and support of his wife 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 obsession with gambling, taking millions of pounds from the gambling sites and bookies who sponsor the game, while neglecting to support both 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.

Hardcover

Published September 16, 2021

Reviews

[Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book demonstrates the utter destruction that gambling addiction can wreck on the lives of individuals and their families.
It will potentially change your perspective on gambling if you haven't experienced this from a personal perspective.