Peter Shilton vs Clint Dempsey: Stats Compared
Goalkeeper, England (born 1949, retired 1997) · Forward, United States (born 1983, retired 2018)
Peter Shilton against Clint Dempsey is the kind of comparison that fuels pub arguments for hours. Where pure finishing is concerned, this is a shootout between two of the most feared marksmen of their time. On production alone, Peter Shilton posted 1 goals across 1005 appearances while Clint Dempsey managed 180 across 550. Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Peter Shilton is listed at 0 and Clint Dempsey at 90 where figures survive. In major honours Peter Shilton collected 4 — headlined by 2× European Cup (1979, 1980) — whereas Clint Dempsey amassed 2, led by 1× MLS Supporters' Shield (2014). Where Peter Shilton was a sweeper-keen presence in the box, Clint Dempsey offered a explosive approach to goalscoring. Club journeys add another layer, with Peter Shilton reaching his representative peak around 1980 across Leicester City, Stoke City, Nottingham Forest, Southampton, Derby County, Plymouth Argyle, Wimbledon, Leyton Orient and Clint Dempsey doing so around 2012 with New England Revolution, Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur, Seattle Sounders. Picking between them says as much about the picker as the players.
187 words · comparison angle: goalscoring
Player profiles
The most-capped England player in history with 125 caps, Shilton set an English record of 1,005 league appearances and won back-to-back European Cups with Nottingham Forest.
“A commanding, remarkably consistent shot-stopper whose positioning and reflexes made him one of the most reliable goalkeepers of his generation.”
The first American to score in three separate World Cups, Dempsey became the first US-born player to captain a Premier League team and remains one of the country's most decorated forwards.
“A tenacious, technically gifted forward whose late runs into the box and clever improvisation produced some of American soccer's most memorable goals.”
Head-to-head stats
Career goals by season
Representative career seasons — goals per season for each player across their documented clubs.
Attribute radar
Attribute ratings are peak-era, 0–100. Different positions naturally skew the profile.
Attribute comparison
Trophy breakdown
- 2× European Cup (1979, 1980)
- 1× English First Division (1978)
- 1× League Cup (1979)
- 1× MLS Supporters' Shield (2014)
- 1× MLS Cup (2016)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1966 Professional debut for Leicester City
- 1979 Won European Cup with Nottingham Forest
- 1979 Won League Cup with Nottingham Forest
- 1980 Reached the peak of his powers at Nottingham Forest
- 1997 Retired after a final spell at Leyton Orient
- Finished his career with 1 goals in 1005 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 1 goals in 1005 appearances and 4 major honours.
- 2004 Professional debut for New England Revolution
- 2014 Won MLS Supporters' Shield with Seattle Sounders
- 2016 Won MLS Cup with Seattle Sounders
- 2012 Reached the peak of his powers at Fulham
- 2018 Retired after a final spell at Seattle Sounders
- Finished his career with 180 goals in 550 appearances and 2 major honours. Finished his career with 180 goals in 550 appearances and 2 major honours.
The verdict
Weighing production against honours, Peter Shilton takes the verdict — a narrow margin, driven by remarkable longevity.
Peter Shilton edges it (a narrow margin)
