Tom Dart
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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.
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.
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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,