Goalkeeping legend Shilton deserves much better (From The Northern Echo)

Goalkeeping legend Shilton deserves much better

1:57pm Wednesday 25th March 2009 in Staff Blogs By Andrew White, Assistant News Editor

ENGLAND'S match this weekend will almost certainly see David Beckham passing Bobby Moore's outfield record of 108 caps for his country.

This is a notable achievement which will no doubt receive blanket coverage in the media (again).

But I can't help feeling one man has been forgotten in all of this - Peter Shilton.

Poor old Shilts has hardly been mentioned in recent weeks, while Becks has been getting all of the plaudits.

Yet the goalkeeper won an incredible 125 caps for England gained over more than 19 years - a remarkable achievement.

The constant references to Beckham being England's most capped outfield player seems to me to belittle Shilton's accomplishment.

The implication is that because Shilts was a keeper, whose careers generally last longer, his feats are less impressive.

I say this is nonsense and it's time Shilton were given the recognition he is due.

Yes, goalkeepers tend to play for longer than outfield players - but where are all of the other 100-cap custodians? There aren't any.

The second most capped England goalie - David Seaman - is a full 50 caps behind Shilton.

In fact, only four England goalkeepers have won more than 50 caps - Gordon Banks and Ray Clemence being the other two.

Shilton had to stay fit and at the top of his game for 30 years during his playing career - he also made 1,005 club appearances for Leicester, Stoke and Nottingham Forest amongst others.

He would have added considerably to his England cap haul if he had not been vying with Clemence for the number one spot for so many years.

And I'd wager he spent the majority of those 125 caps on the field of play - whereas many of Becks' recent caps have been won by playing just a few minutes at the end of a match.

Don't get me wrong, Beckham should be applauded for his achievement.

But let's stop referring to him only as England's most capped outfield player - he should, more properly, be referred to as England's second most capped player.

And hopefully, by doing so, Peter Shilton's remarkable record will finally be fully appreciated.