Paperback: 224 pages First Edition 2007
PETER THE GREAT
The Untold Story of Wolves' Greatest Artist
Few players in the history of English football have captivated the imagination as much as Peter Broadbent. Born in the humble surroundings of Elvington, Kent, Broadbent's journey from the coalfields to becoming one of Wolverhampton Wanderers' most revered players is a tale that exemplifies the beautiful game's capacity for creating legends.
Author Steve Gordos, with his deep-rooted connection to both journalism and Wolves, brings a particularly intimate perspective to this biography. His decades of experience at the Express & Star, combined with his position on Wolves' Hall of Fame committee, allow him to paint a vivid picture of Broadbent's remarkable career with both authority and warmth.
The biography masterfully chronicles how Broadbent, arriving at Molineux as a fresh-faced teenager, transformed into the architect of Wolves' golden age. His sublime ball control and visionary passing made him the fulcrum of Stan Cullis's championship-winning sides. What sets Broadbent apart in the pantheon of football greats was his unique combination of attributes: the precision of his passing, the audacity of his dribbling, and an uncanny ability to find the back of the net. Gordos particularly excels in his description of the famous floodlit friendlies, where Broadbent showcased his talents against Europe's finest. These matches—against Spartak, Honved, Dynamo, and Real Madrid—weren't merely football matches; they were occasions that captured the nation's imagination, with Broadbent at the heart of each spectacle.
The author's meticulous research shines through in his detailed accounts of Broadbent's contribution to Wolves' three championship-winning campaigns and the FA Cup triumph of 1960. Through careful interviews with Broadbent's wife Shirley, former teammates, and devoted fans, Gordos constructs a rounded portrait of a man whose technical brilliance was matched by his unassuming nature.
What makes this biography particularly poignant is its timing. Written while Broadbent was still alive but suffering from Alzheimer's disease, it serves as both a celebration and a preservation of memories that were sadly fading from the legendary man himself. The author handles this aspect with remarkable sensitivity, ensuring that Broadbent's legacy—his 145 goals in 497 appearances, his England caps, and his status as 'Peter the Great'—will endure for future generations.
Peter Broadbent's last decade was marked by his battle with Alzheimer's disease, which he fought with the same quiet dignity that characterised his playing career. He spent his last years in a nursing home in Himley, in the West Midlands, where he was lovingly cared for by his wife Shirley and the nursing staff. The disease gradually robbed him of the memories of his glorious career at Wolves. He passed away peacefully on October 1, 2013, at the age of 80, leaving behind a legacy as one of Wolves' greatest ever players. Despite the cruel nature of his illness, he remained beloved by the Wolves faithful until the end, and his funeral in Wolverhampton was attended by numerous former teammates and fans who came to pay their final respects to 'Peter the Great'.
ROYAL MAIL TRACKED 48
Publisher: Breedon Books Publishing Co Ltd
Published: January 4, 2007
Price: £19.99
Hardcover: 224 pages
ISBN-10: 1780911246
ISBN-13: 978-185 9835586
Dimensions: 154 x 231 (mm)
Lavishly illustrated
Postage Weight: 650g
NEW - MINT - PRISTINE - NEVER BEEN OPENED
