90 seconds with Gavin Peacock

Gavin Peacock started and ended his professional career at Loftus Road where he played almost 200 games in the hoops of Queens Park Rangers during his two spells in West London. After a short loan spell, the 20 year old attacking midfielder was transferred to Gillingham to play under his father who managed The Gills. His impressive displays on the Dorset coast caught the eye of Harry Redknapp who snapped him up to play for his South Coast side AFC Bournemouth in a £250k deal.

By 1990, Peacock was on the move again but this time to join one of his boyhood teams, Newcastle United in the North East where his dad’s side of the family had originated from. During his time on Tyneside he helped the Magpies to promotion to the Premier League with some vital goals. Those goals from midfield tempted Glenn Hoddle to part with £1.5m to persuade Peacock to return south and join Chelsea. In 1996, after three seasons at Stamford Bridge, Gavin returned to QPR where he ended his career.

90 seconds, 11 Q&A with Gavin Peacock:-

1) Childhood team growing up? Charlton Athletic because my dad Keith Peacock played for them. In fact he’s the leading appearance maker for an outfield player in the club’s history. However, one of my first football kits as a kid was Newcastle United and my dad’s side of the family come from South Shields in the the North East.
2) First pair of football boots owned? Gola, followed shortly by Adidas Copa Mundials.
3) Did you have a nickname in the dressing room and how did you get it? ‘Gav’ inventive hey!
4) Favourite teammate? As a friend I’d say Mark Stimson at Newcastle United. Funniest would be Tony Cascarino or John Spencer at Chelsea. Best to play with, Glenn Hoddle. Pure genius.
5) Toughest opponent? Vinny Jones, always wanted to kick my head off when we played against each other. Never figured out why he was always so angry. We played together as team mates at QPR for a while and got on great.
6) Which player do you wish you’d had the chance to play with? Eric Cantona, he was the king of the Premier League in the 90’s. I would have loved to link up with him, making runs from midfield.
7) Favourite football shirt you’ve played in? Loved the hoops at QPR and the blue of Chelsea but you can’t beat the black and white stripes of Newcastle United.
8) Best stadium for atmosphere? Apart from Wembley, Id say St James Park and Old Trafford.
9) Biggest influence on your career? My father, my lifelong coach. What he doesn’t know about the game isn’t worth knowing.
10) Most prized possessions from your playing days? Apart from one of two medals, I’d say getting promotion to the Premier League with Newcastle United or reaching the FA Cup final with Chelsea. However, the memories of an 18 year career, the camaraderie in the dressing room, making a living out of the beautiful game are all special memories. If i hadn’t have made it professionally I would have gladly paid to play.
11) What keeps you busy these days? I’m a pastor at a church in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. I made the switch after leaving the BBC Match of the day team after six years between 2002-2008. It’s been the most privileged and rewarding vocation. I’ve been in Canada for the past 14 years now.