Free Download

Download 'Too Hot', an exclusive Specials track from iTunes

Navigation - link to other main sections from here

Skip Navigation

From The Times
May 27, 2008

Gavin Peacock departs for religious journey

Tom Dart

The end of Euro 2008 will mark the beginning of a new life for Gavin Peacock. The BBC pundit and former Chelsea and Newcastle United midfield player is moving to Canada to study religion in preparation for a career in the church.

After finishing work at the tournament in Austria and Switzerland next month, the 40-year-old will emigrate with his wife and two children to Calgary in July to begin a three-year Masters course in Divinity at Ambrose Seminary, a leading theological college. Peacock will become a pastor, vicar or minister, depending on which denomination he chooses to follow.

Peacock is a frequent visitor to Canada and has said that he finds the Rocky Mountains to be a deeply spiritual place. Since last September, he has studied for a BA in Theology at Ridley Hall, a college in Cambridge that trains future ministers.

The pundit has been a Christian since the age of 19, when he was with Queens Park Rangers, and hosted a Bible study group for footballers. A frequent speaker at church events, he has preached at his Anglican church in Kent and this year he has combined his football broadcasting duties with presenting Songs of Praise.

Related Links

Peacock’s faith is far from unusual in football — a number of prominent players are Christians, such as Jermain Defoe and Linvoy Primus, of Portsmouth. Kaká, the AC Milan playmaker, has made no secret of his beliefs. After Milan’s Champions League final victory over Liverpool last year, he unveiled a vest emblazoned with the words “I belong to Jesus”.

In 1994, the year that Peacock famously hit the bar as Chelsea lost to Manchester United in the FA Cup Final, he collaborated on a book — Never Walk Alone — with Alan Comfort, a winger-turned-reverend who is club chaplain at Leyton Orient.

Good for Gavin. I really hope the course goes well, and that he does come back - it's been good having him as a host on 'Songs of Praise'.

Dona Gondwe, London,

I was in Church yesterday to hear Gavin preach which he does as he played - with passion , honesty and conviction. When I said this him after he said 'you mean I faded out in the second half!'. He's helped many including myself with my own personal journey and he'll be sorely missed.

Paul Tuohy, Wilmington, UK

Why do Christians insist on saying things like "I hope he points others to Christ"? You don't hear aetheists saying "I hope more people turn away from Christ". People should keep their own counsel and allow others to do the same. All power to Gavin, let him, and others, make their own choices.

John, London,

As a Member of St Michael & All Angels Church Wilmington Kent where Gavin preachers. I wish him every success in his studies.

Stan Stringer

Stan Stringer, Dartford, UK

Im glad for Gavin, he's a very articulate and intelligent pundit, and its refreshing to see someone confidently putting thier beliefs first. As for Andy in Staines, you're an utter disgrace, just because you dont believe in what Gavin Peacock does, is no excuse to call it "utter claptrap".

Hardeep, Wolverhampton,

I am a Pastor in Canada working in the denomination that Ambrose belongs to. He'll be studying with many of my friends. I immigrated from Scotland and remember Gavin playing for Chelsea. I'm sure he will enjoy it out here, I can't think of a better place to study.

David Smith, Vancouver, B.C., Canada

Disappointed in Gavin, he was one of my favourite players as a young chelsea fan and always came across as articulate and intelligent on TV, but finding out he believes in this ridicuous ancient claptrap has changed my opinion of him totally!

andy, staines, UK

The nice thing about this is that he's kept his football and his religious activity at a decent distance. There's little more nauseating in football (other than Didier Drogba) than Kaka's overt shows of faith.

john in dulwich, s london,

I've just read the statement of faith for Ambrose - what a fantastic place for Gavin to go to. I am really pleased and trust that his example will help point others to Christ.

Bishop Dominic Stockford, Teddington, Middlesex, UK

All the best, Gavin. You come over well on TV and will hopefully develop a good ministry somewhere - I hope it's with us in the UK, we need people like you here! I will try to find a way of monitoring how things are going

Alan, York, UK

Good luck to Gavin in his new life, he played a big part in our escape from relegation to the third division and was a big part of our promotion to the Premier league the following year, he then moved to London for genuine 'family' reasons and had the blessing of all concerned at NUFC. A good lad.

D Dunn, Newcastle upon Tyne,

Have your say

* Required

Print
Email
Bookmark and Share

Also in Football

Also in Sport

Most Read

Skip Most Read

Today

MOST COMMENTED

Skip Editor's Pick

Today

MOST CURIOUS

Skip Most Curious

Today

Focus Zone

Angel of the north

Northern Lights:

Win a luxury weekend to Newcastle and its neighbour Gateshead, find out more here

BT

Business Solutions:

Risk, resilience and embracing new technology

accenture

Need to Know:

Industry sectors news at a glance. Interactive heatmap, video and podcast

Cisco

Business Wisdom:

Discover the power of collective thinking. Submit a solution and be in with a chance to win a Media Hub Home Entertainment System

Social Entrepreneur

Social Entrepreneurs:

The inside track on current trends in the charity, not for profit and social enterprise sectors

ba business travel clouds

Business Travel:

Everything the Business Traveller needs to know to make a better trip

rowing boats

Great British Summer :

Make the most of the summer and enter our fabulous photographic competition, you could win a £5000 holiday

Corsica

Corsica Travel:

Corsica is an island of beauty and contrast, an ideal holiday destination

More Reports

More reports:

Enjoy further reading from Travel to Fashion, Business to Sport, discover more

previous next
sporting index

spread betting

in association with

sporting index

News on the move

Make sure you don’t miss a goal with our text alerts

The Times Health Club

Time to get fit?

Track your fitness goals together with other members

A lawyer with gown and wig

Find a Lawyer

Cut your legal costs

The Times Enounters

Encounters Dating

We'd love to find you someone special

Popular Searches on Times Online

album reviews | clarkson | county cricket | credit crunch | dating | driving | fantasy football | formula 1 | podcasts | recipes | redundancy calculator | six nations | sudoku | thegame | wine | winter sun

Shortcuts to help you find sections and articles

Classifieds 

Cars

Skip Cars of the Week

Car leasing


The clever way to lease a new car is with Car leasing made simple™

New Audi A5 Coupe from £399.99 inc VAT

2009
per month on 36-month
Personal Contract Hire (PCH)

Jobs

Skip Jobs of the Week
Intelligence Analyst

£24,250 - £30,346
MI5
London

Finance & Corporate Services Manager

£60,000
The Environment Agency
Bristol

Programme Manager

Up to £90K
Boots
Midlands

Sales Professionals

OTE £85k
Credit Protection Association
Nationwide Opportunities

Properties

Rushmore Condo's

Luxury Condo's in Manhattan with NYC views

Diadem Homes

The best new homes in Wimbledon?

Holidays

Skip Travel of the Week

Virgin Atlantic 2009 Cruise Deals

Fabulous Cruise And Cruise & Stay Offers Including Virgin Atlantic Flights Prices Start From Only £699pp!


Amazing Cruise Deals With Virgin Holidays Cruises

Last Minute Cruise And Cruise & Stay Offers. Med From £499pp, Caribbean From £699pp!


5 * Moscow break from £499 pp inc flights

5 star quality at a 3 star price.


Canada for Less.. fly from £129 one way inc taxes

8 fabulous Canadian cities ...you won’t find cheaper


Place your advert now