Ex-Sabah goalkeeper breaks Shilton's world record
Published on: Wednesday, November 15, 2017
LONDON: Former Sabah goalkeeper Paul Bastock has broken Peter Shilton's world record of 1,249 senior club appearances.The 47 year-old, who had a short stint with the Rhinos 28 years ago during the inaugural season of the Malaysian Semi-Pro Football League, chalked up his 1,250th appearance when he took to the field for ninth-tier Wisbech Town's FA Vase 4-1 victory over Thetford Town on Saturday.That feat saw Bastock surpass his idol Shilton's tally, which has stood since 1997 when the former England goalkeeper made his last ever career appearance for Leyton Orient.ADVERTISEMENT And the significance of passing a legend who inspired so many young goalkeepers to don the gloves isn't lost on Bastock."As a young boy, I'd try to emulate everything that Peter Shilton did," said Bastock before breaking the record. "Because I'm not the tallest, I even used to hang off the crossbar to stretch out my body like he did."When I was young, there were the likes of Ray Clemence, John Burridge and Joe Corrigan, but Shilts was always the one I aspired to be like as a kid whenever I was wearing the yellow England goalkeeper jersey in the park with my mates. I can't believe that I'll be passing his record."ADVERTISEMENT Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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Bastock joined Sabah in 1989 from Cambridge United as a 19-year-old after former Coventry City coach Frank Upton, who had been appointed Sabah head coach, asked the youngster if was interested in going to Malaysia with him. The long-serving stopper, who made his senior debut for Cambridge United almost 29 years ago, spent time keeping net for a whopping 18 clubs and is best known for spending 12 years at Boston United, where he was voted as the Pilgrims' all-time cult hero.