Peter Crouch has spoken out about how he felt as he walked out for his England debut only to be booed before he’d ever touched the ball, adding that a ‘part of him wanted to die inside.’
The former professional footballer, affectionately known as ‘Crouchie,’ had an extremely successful career, having played for clubs such as Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, and England.
However, he encountered prejudice throughout the years due of his appearance, which he explores in the new Prime Video documentary That Peter Crouch Film.
On Wednesday, he appeared on the BBC’s The One Show to chat with presenters Alex Jones and Jermaine Jenas, with whom he shared the pitch during their football careers.
Jermaine, 40, remembers being present on the day Peter, 42, made his England debut and being unable to forget the nasty reception his teammate received.
‘I was there that day you made your debut for England at Old Trafford. It’s always something that’s sat with me in my career for some reason,’ the host said.
‘The fact that you stepped onto that pitch having never kicked a ball for England, but yet were booed immediately as you stepped onto the pitch. How did you deal with that?’
Their guest responded: ‘That was hard, because you know what, you know yourself, right? You work so hard to become a footballer and the pinnacle of that is representing your country.
‘I think what people sometimes forget is that my mum and dad and my sister, they’re all so proud of me, they’re all there in the crowd, and they think, “My boy’s playing for England.” And then you get that kind of reaction.’
Given Liverpool’s rivalry with Manchester United, Peter assumed that part of the booing were directed at him since he was a Liverpool player playing at Old Trafford.
He continued: ‘I think there’s an element of I was a Liverpool player at Old Trafford, and of course that plays a part. But part of me wants to die inside, and I’m thinking of my mum, and thinking she’s going to be incredibly upset by this.’
Despite the booing, Peter went on to become one of the country’s most popular football players.
‘What I’m incredibly proud of is coming through that and then having a successful England career after that. Because I could have easily gone, “It’s not for me, this one.” I came out of it and here I am on The One Show,’ he said.
Peter continued to represent England for the next five years after earning his debut in 2005.
He announced his retirement from professional football in July 2019, only months after joining Burnley.
The One Show airs weeknights at 7pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
