Peter Shilton vs Paul Ince: Stats Compared
Goalkeeper, England (born 1949, retired 1997) · Central Midfielder, England (born 1967, retired 2006)
Comparing Peter Shilton with Paul Ince means weighing two very different kinds of greatness. Separated by their years at the top, each defined the football of their own generation. On production alone, Peter Shilton posted 1 goals across 1005 appearances while Paul Ince managed 90 across 650. Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Peter Shilton is listed at 0 and Paul Ince at 60 where figures survive. The honours ledger favours Peter Shilton with 4 major trophies (2× European Cup (1979, 1980)) against Paul Ince's 4 (2× Premier League (1993, 1994)). Across the 1980s and the 1990s respectively, their imposing and orchestrating styles captured the spirit of very different footballing times. The wider career context matters too: Peter Shilton peaked around 1980 after representing Leicester City, Stoke City, Nottingham Forest, Southampton, Derby County, Plymouth Argyle, Wimbledon, Leyton Orient, while Paul Ince's defining level came around 1994 across West Ham United, Manchester United, Inter Milan, Liverpool, Middlesbrough, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Swindon Town. The honest conclusion is that comparison enriches appreciation rather than crowns a single winner.
185 words · comparison angle: era
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 Black player to captain England, Ince was a combative, driving midfielder at the heart of Manchester United's early Premier League dominance.
“An aggressive, all-action midfielder whose tackling and late runs into the box made him a formidable box-to-box presence.”
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)
- 2× Premier League (1993, 1994)
- 2× FA Cup (1990, 1994)
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.
- 1986 Professional debut for West Ham United
- 1993 Won Premier League with Manchester United
- 1990 Won FA Cup with Manchester United
- 1994 Reached the peak of his powers at Manchester United
- 2006 Retired after a final spell at Swindon Town
- Finished his career with 90 goals in 650 appearances and 4 major honours. Finished his career with 90 goals in 650 appearances and 4 major honours.
The verdict
Taking goals, assists, silverware and overall profile together, Paul Ince takes it by a narrow margin.
Paul Ince edges it (a narrow margin)
