We talk to England men’s most-capped player, Peter Shilton, and his wonderful wife Steph about life off the pitch, recovering from addiction and how they will be spending Christmas at home on Mersea Island
Peter Shilton has his loving wife Steph to thank for the position they’re in now. The legendary goalkeeper was in the grips of a gambling addiction, which had control over him for his entire adult life, before Steph’s love and support helped him come out the other side. But first, how did it all start?
‘We met in a lift,’ Steph laughs. Peter adds, ‘I was talking at a dinner at Stoke by Nayland Resort. I was going down in the lift in my black tie when Steph got in. We only chatted for a minute or so, but I certainly felt the connection straight away.’
‘I was singing at a convention, so I thought he was a musician,’ Steph says. ‘There’s 19 years between us and I’ve never liked football so I knew nothing about him. He said he was there to talk about football – I thought he was winding me up!’
Later in the evening, Peter came into the bar and we had a drink. I got up to sing, and I was sitting high up on this stool. My friend said to Peter “Are you going to help her down?” There was about 60 golfers in the room who all knew who he was, they were all saying “don’t drop her!” And I thought, how sweet! Not realising they were bantering with him!’
Steph, an accomplished jazz singer and former NHS manager, grew up in Essex, and after spending weekends in the county, the famous Midlander soon fell for its charms. Steph says, ‘I grew up in what I call Lovejoy land: Kelvedon and Coggeshall. I had a very idyllic upbringing. It wasn’t difficult to convince Peter with Essex!’
Peter says, ‘I love the sea – it's in my blood I think, my dad was in the navy – it was so nice and so different to what I was used to in the Midlands. Essex really appealed to me.’
Saved
After settling down, Steph became aware of Peter’s gambling addiction, but they worked together and managed to pull through. Now, they want to raise awareness of the dangers of gambling.
Last year, they released Saved, a book telling their story. ‘The reaction was massive,’ Steph says. ‘We know it has saved lives and helped to educate people. It was all about getting rid of the stigma. Our objection was met – more than met.’
But it wasn’t easy telling such a personal story, especially as the couple are very private. Peter tells me, ‘It wasn’t easy, but I’d heard about youngsters committing suicide because they thought they couldn’t give up. My message was: I’ve done it, later on in life, and it’s something you can do too.’
Career highs
The list of accomplishments in Peter’s career is staggering: he was a professional player for 30 years, in the England team for 20 years, he played in three World Cups, holds the all-time record for the most competitive appearances in world football and is the England national team’s most-capped player. ‘Also, I won two European Cups and the League Championship with Nottingham Forest – big achievements for a club like Nottingham Forest,’ Peter adds. ‘I was also really proud to play for England at all levels, from under 15s to full internationals – I think that’s only been done once before.’
Peter retired from football in the mid-90s, so I wonder why many of these records haven’t been broken. Can it be done in football today? ‘Players attitudes are different,’ he says. ‘I started in the Leicester City first team at 17 and football was totally different in that era. I played in the 70s, 80s and 90s and there were changes even in my time – but it’s a different game now. There’s not so much contact between players and fans. Players used to live up the road from the public, on the same street, now they live in mansions.’
Steph has also seen huge success in her career. ‘I climbed the ladder at the NHS very quickly, but for me it’s always been my charity work that I’m most proud of.’ Steph has raised thousands for charity over the years, and one of her biggest achievements was raising funds to help launch the Early Pregnancy Unit at Colchester Hospital.
‘I’ve worked very hard in my career and I’ve been lucky. If you’re lucky in life, it’s about giving back. When I was doing my jazz singing, I only ever sang for charity. I’ve been given a voice and it’s my way of giving back.’
Power couple
‘I’m lucky that I’ve benefitted from Steph’s experience, both in life and her management skills,’ Peter says. ‘We run our own company now and she manages me in everything I do.’ Steph adds, ‘I work three days a week as an ambassador and a therapist for an addiction charity. The rest of the time I run the company with Pete. I tend to be behind the scenes and he’s out front, so it works well. Having said that, a lot of clients want me to come along so we’ve become more known as a couple. GB News called us a “power couple!”’
Their book highlighted the strength of their relationship and the bond they have, so the pair have found themselves being asked to talk about love and marriage. It was off the back of this that they became global ambassadors for Vidda Royalle, a luxurious Portuguese company selling high-end bedding, towels, bathrobes and more. ‘We’re over the moon about it,’ Steph smiles. ‘We’re grandparents and we’re promoting bedding!’
Island life
Beautiful beaches, wild walks and delicious seafood – it’s not hard to see why the Shiltons set up home on Mersea Island. ‘It’s the lifestyle we love. You come across that strood and you can just switch off completely. We also use all local produce, and it’s great here. We like going to the pub in our wellies and having fish and chips!’
For Peter, it’s the people. ‘Everyone here is very respectful and friendly. Living in football areas around the Midlands all my life, people come up to you a lot – nicely – but I’ve noticed a massive difference living in this part of the world in terms of privacy. One or two of the locals have said “we see you as Peter and Steph, not Mr and Mrs Shilton.” We’ve also got our little dog, Charlie, who we adore and he loves the walks here.’
Feeling festive
Peter and Steph are looking forward to some well-deserved downtime over the festive period. ‘We have a whole routine,’ Steph laughs. ‘On Christmas Day we’re in our pyjamas, just the two of us. I do roast turkey with all the trimmings and we watch old movies – it's very romantic!
‘On Boxing Day, my daughter, son-in-law and three grandchildren arrive and stay with us for a three-day break. We always have a long walk on the beach as a family; it’s lovely.’
I was also delighted to hear that the Shiltons hold a Boxing Day talent contest, with the whole family competing by singing, dancing or telling jokes – and there's even a trophy for the winner. ‘I do a dance to This Is It,’ Peter admits. ‘I do the same thing every year and I’ve never won. I’ll probably come up with something more original this year!’ Steph adds, ‘It’s got really serious. The girls were practicing dance routines at the start of December last year!’
The couple will be kept busy during the World Cup, which ends on December 18, so the thing they’re looking forward to most is relaxing – and hopefully with England as World Champions. ‘Maybe England will win; you never know,’ Peter says. ‘I’m hopeful, put it like that. It’d be a fantastic Christmas present if they win it!’
Future plans
Next year, the duo will be straight back to work raising awareness of the dangers of gambling. ‘We’re really busy with the charity for gambling and addiction. Sadly, the number (of people needing help) is growing. We’ve still got a lot of work to do to try to get the regulations in place to make gambling safer.’
‘The government have delayed the white paper review on gambling since last December,’ Peter explains. ‘And it looks like it might get delayed at least another year, which isn’t ideal. It should have been looked at long ago.’ Again, Peter’s love for his wife shines through, ‘Being in the NHS for 20 years, helping people is very close to Steph’s heart. Having been through it herself, she can give people advice in overcoming the illness or addiction. Steph is brilliant at that.’
