Peter Shilton relives “Hand of God” hurt and career highs at Medina Theatre…

Peter Shilton on stage at Newport’s Medina Theatre (Image: Robin Crossley/The Island Photo Company)

The show, organised by event specialists Seamless Entertainment, was held at Newport’s Medina Theatre on Saturday, May 30.

Peter, who won a record 125 caps, entertained fans with memories from his teenage breakthrough at Leicester City to three World Cups and European Cup glory with Nottingham Forest.

Peter Shilton entertained fans with memories from his teenage breakthrough at Leicester City to the three World Cups

He revisited defining England moments, including Diego Maradona’s infamous “Hand of God” goal at the 1986 World Cup, saying he made “a split-second decision” to come and attack the ball and felt “dejected and cheated” when it was allowed to stand.

Peter Shilton and Sky Sports presenter Richard Graves, who hosted the event (Image: Robin Crossley/The Island Photo Company)

Peter also reflected on England’s run to the Italia ’90 semi-finals under Bobby Robson, during which he won his 125th and final cap in the third-place play-off.

He spoke about Spain ’82, where England went out in the second group stage despite remaining unbeaten and conceding just one goal in five matches.

Peter also looked back on a club career with Leicester City, Stoke City, Nottingham Forest and Southampton, before finishing his career at Leyton Orient with a staggering 1,005 Football League appearances

Peter Shilton on stage with event host Richard Graves (Image: Robin Crossley/The Island Photo Company)

He joined Leicester as a 15-year-old apprentice on £8 a week, learning from Gordon Banks before succeeding him as Leicester and England’s first-choice goalkeeper.

A then world-record transfer fee took him to Stoke City in 1974 before a trophy-laden spell under Brian Clough and Peter Taylor at Nottingham Forest.

Among the stories he shared was Forest’s unconventional preparation for the 1980 European Cup final against Hamburg, when, with no suitable pitch available near Madrid, he trained on a grass traffic island before producing what he called “the best I ever had” as Forest won 1–0 at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Peter also revisited what he called the lowest moment of his career — England’s 1–1 draw with Poland at Wembley, which denied them a place at the 1974 World Cup.

Peter Shilton at the Seamless Entertainment event at Medina Theatre (Image: Robin Crossley/The Island Photo Company)

There was a lighter moment when he recounted scoring the only senior goal of his career for Leicester against Southampton at The Dell in 1967, when a strong wind carried his clearance into the net in a 5–1 win.

He told the audience he had to wait for Match of the Day that evening to be sure he had actually scored.

Alongside his football memories, Peter spoke candidly about what he described as a “45-year gambling addiction” and the impact it had on his life.

Peter Shilton relives “Hand of God” hurt and career highs at Medina Theatre. He credited his wife, Steph, with helping him overcome his struggles, telling the audience she had “saved” him, and said their experiences inspired them to establish The Shilton Silver Lining, a charity supporting people affected by gambling addiction and their families.

During the interval, Peter spoke to the County Press about his return to the Island, saying he remembered visiting “a long time ago” and that his wife had been keen for him to come back.

He revealed he had taken photographs during his Red Funnel crossing to show her and joked he planned to tease her by claiming he had spent the night at Osborne House.

Peter also showed an interest in Island football, asking about local players who had progressed to the professional game, including Cowes-raised Gary Rowett, and learning that Brendan Rodgers once played for Newport.

A live auction raising funds for Wessex Cancer Support’s IW branch (Image: Robin Crossley/The Island Photo Company)

After the break, the audience had a chance to ask their own questions, during which Peter named Bobby Moore as the greatest player he played alongside and also paid tribute to former England teammates Gary Lineker, Paul Gascoigne and Roy McFarland.

A live auction of signed Nottingham Forest, England and Southampton shirts and other memorabilia raised £655 for Wessex Cancer Support’s IW branch.

The evening concluded with a special World Cup segment, where Peter gave his thoughts about England’s chances in the competition, which gets underway on June 11.

In a statement after the event, organisers Seamless Entertainment said: “The team at Seamless Entertainment would like to thank everyone who attended the event and helped make it such a memorable evening.

“We’d also like to thank our team and sponsors, Red Funnel and Citroen Central Garage Newport, for their continued support of our events.”

Originally published at https://www.countypress.co.uk on June 3, 2026.

By Seamless Entertainment