A Greater Glory: From Pitch to Pulpit

by Gavin Peacock

Overview

“There is more to life than football, fame and fortune. There is a greater joy and a greater glory to be had.”

Premier league footballer turned pastor Gavin Peacock tells the story of his career and his faith in this fascinating, thought–provoking and personal read.

What makes a man walk away from his life as a professional footballer turned BBC pundit to become a church minister?

They say it is every schoolboy’s dream to play in the F.A. Cup Final. It’s a dream that came true for Gavin Peacock. In his riveting autobiography, follow Gavin’s journey from a child growing up in a footballing family to Chelsea captain; from a son following in his father’s footsteps to a husband and father supporting his own family; from pundit to preacher.

This riveting autobiography follows Gavin’s life through the lens of his journeys with football, family and faith: football fan to Chelsea captain, son to father, pundit to preacher.

Experience the rollercoaster of highs and lows as he tells his story and explains the driving force behind it all – his love for football, his love for his family, and most importantly his love for God.

 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781527106796
Publisher:	Christian Focus Publications
Publication date:	05/07/2021
Series:	Biography
Pages:	264
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

Gavin is husband to Amanda and father to Jake and Ava. He is associate pastor at Calvary Grace Church of Calgary, and the Director of International Outreach for CBMW. He played football professionally for Chelsea, QPR and Newcastle Utd and was a pundit on BBC Match of the Day.

Table of Contents

Foreword Graham Daniels, Christians in Sport 17

Introduction: Twelve Stones 21

1 Inches: The Fine Line between Victory and Defeat 23

2 Early Days: Life in a Footballing Family 35

3 Achieving the Goal: The Schoolboy Dream 49

4 Like Father Like Son 69

5 New Horizons: Married and Heading South 89

6 The Black and White Rollercoaster 101

7 The King's Road Revolution 133

8 Coming Home: Back to Loftus Road 165

9 A Pundit's Life: From Match Day to 'Match of the Day 197

10 Switching Fields: A Preacher's Call 217

11 A Family Portrait 229

12 A Greater Glory 237

Acknowledgements 247

Editorial Reviews

What a fabulous book! A must–read for all – not just football fans. I loved working with Gavin as his manager at Chelsea and I’ve always said he was in my top 3 players I ever signed as a manager. His talent has shone through again in this wonderful book. A beautiful insight to Gavin’s life and an inspiration to all. Loved it!

Glenn Hoddle (Former England and Chelsea Manager)

As a pastor who would have loved to be a footballer I really enjoyed this book about a footballer who loves being a pastor. A terrific story of someone who has spent his life heading towards the goal to receive a prize that doesn’t tarnish with time.

(Senior Pastor

Gavin’s story includes playing for some of the top managers in football including Harry Redknapp, Kevin Keegan, Ossie Ardiles and Glenn Hoddle. I played against Gavin a number of times and he was an outstanding professional but perhaps more importantly, he was also a man of very good character.

David Moyes(West Ham United Manager)

The story of a not so ordinary man who gave it up for more, a fascinating read from start to finish … a real insight to life as a player and to life as a Christian and what it means. An honest, sincere, and real thought provoking book … you can only admire him for giving up all he had, and wanting more … which Gavin will tell you he has found.

Robbie Fowler(Former Liverpool & England International Footballer

I’ve enjoyed knowing Gavin both as a footballer and co–commentator over many years. I’m full of admiration for him and the way he lives out his faith. I’m thrilled to see him thrive as a pastor in Canada and look forward to the release of his autobiography.

John Motson((1945–2023) Television and Radio Football Commentator)

This book is a very well written and fascinating account of a professional footballer’s family’s life, with a great insight into how the industry works, its ups and downs, pressures and triumphs and disappointments. But for myself this book is about life itself, including religion, beliefs, the sacrifices you have to make to be or to do what you might want out of life itself. Making vital decisions under pressure that not only affect you but your whole family. About living your life at whatever level you are at, and making decisions along the road as best you can for yourself and the people you love. What’s important in life for the individual is so different and complex! I thoroughly recommend this book!!

Gerry Francis (Former Queens Park Rangers and Tottenham Hotspur Manager)

This story is a one off! Be prepared for an insight into the workings of some of the top football managers in England. Also be prepared for some thought provoking, straight forward opinions on society today. I thoroughly recommend this read.

Alan Curbishley(Former Charlton Athletic & West Ham United Manager)

I’ve enjoyed knowing Gavin both as a footballer and co–commentator over many years. I’m full of admiration for him and the way he lives out his faith. I’m thrilled to see him thrive as a pastor in Canada and look forward to the release of his autobiography.

John Motson(Television and Radio Football Commentator)

What a fabulous book! A must–read for all – not just football fans. I loved working with Gavin as his manager at Chelsea and I’ve always said he was in my top 3 players I ever signed as a manager. His talent has shone through again in this wonderful book.

A beautiful insight to Gavin’s life and an inspiration to all. Loved it!

Glenn Hoddle

The story of a not so ordinary man who gave it up for more, a fascinating read from start to finish … a real insight to life as a player and to life as a Christian and what it means. An honest, sincere, and real thought provoking book … you can only admire him for giving up all he had, and wanting more … which Gavin will tell you he has found.

Robbie Fowler

This story is a one off! Be prepared for an insight into the workings of some of the top football managers in England. Also be prepared for some thought provoking, straight forward opinions on society today.

I thoroughly recommend this read.

Alan Curbishley

I’ve enjoyed knowing Gavin both as a footballer and co–commentator over many years. I’m full of admiration for him and the way he lives out his faith. I’m thrilled to see him thrive as a pastor in Canada and look forward to the release of his autobiography.

John Motson

This book is a very well written and fascinating account of a professional footballer’s family’s life, with a great insight into how the industry works, its ups and downs, pressures and triumphs and disappointments. But for myself this book is about life itself, including religion, beliefs, the sacrifices you have to make to be or to do what you might want out of life itself. Making vital decisions under pressure that not only affect you but your whole family. About living your life at whatever level you are at, and making decisions along the road as best you can for yourself and the people you love. What’s important in life for the individual is so different and complex! I thoroughly recommend this book!!

Gerry Francis

Gavin’s story includes playing for some of the top managers in football including Harry Redknapp, Kevin Keegan, Ossie Ardiles and Glenn Hoddle. I played against Gavin a number of times and he was an outstanding professional but perhaps more importantly, he was also a man of very good character.

David Moyes

Obviously, I know Gavin from our time we played together at Newcastle and our Charlton links but this really is one of the most interesting and fascinating autobiographies I have read in a long time. A successful footballer to BBC pundit to Christian Pastor! Not many players have had such a diverse and fulfilling life.

Rob Lee

Gavin was a superb footballer, but more importantly a wonderful guy. His life story will be one of the football best ever reads for sure.

Harry Harris

As a pastor who would have loved to be a footballer I really enjoyed this book about a footballer who loves being a pastor. A terrific story of someone who has spent his life heading towards the goal to receive a prize that doesn’t tarnish with time.

Alistair Begg

Unlike any footballer’s autobiography you’ve ever read. Honest, intelligent and sincere.

Rather like the man himself….

Tom Watt

Gavin’s story is varied, gripping and moving. I’ve never before read such an evocative description of how it actually feels to score a goal at the top level. Nor have I read a more spine tingling account of what it feels like to step up to the pulpit and preach. Football feels like a matter of life and death to some of us, but the gospel truly is … and Gavin gives us a pitch–side seat as we experience the wonder of both.

Tim Farron

… what I appreciated most in this book was a priceless wisdom that has enabled him to navigate life. So how do you work out relationships, disappointment, disability, parenting, marriage, career? In chapter after chapter I just loved the paragraphs that explained how he was thinking and anchored in Jesus Christ when he was confronted by life’s complexity. There was gold in chapter after chapter. A riveting read that I thoroughly recommend to all.

Rico Tice(Author and Founder of Christianity Explored Ministries)

What a fabulous book! A must–read for all – not just football fans. I loved working with Gavin as his manager at Chelsea and I’ve always said he was in my top 3 players I ever signed as a manager. His talent has shone through again in this wonderful book.

A beautiful insight to Gavin’s life and an inspiration to all. Loved it!

From the Publisher