The legendary goalkeeper clocked up 17 during the tournaments of 1982 in Spain, 1986 in Mexico and 1990 in Italy. But, having made his England debut in a Wembley friendly against East Germany in November 1970, "Shilts" had to wait 12 years for an opportunity to play in the Finals.

He had just missed out on Mexico '70 and England failed to qualify for the next two tournaments in West Germany and Argentina.

When Ron Greenwood's side lined up for the opening match of the 1982 World Cup in Bilbao, Shilton was winning his 38th cap. He was then a Nottingham Forest player. England could hardly have had a better start, Bryan Robson scoring after 27 seconds for the second fastest goal in World Cup Finals history.

Not the fastest? No, Vaclav Masek had netted for the Czechs 15 seconds into their group match with Mexico in 1962.

Shilton had an outstanding World Cup in '82, conceding just one goal in five matches. But two 0-0 draws in the second phase, against West Germany and Spain, stopped England from progressing.

He featured in all five matches again in the heat and altitude of Mexico four years later and was beaten by Maradona's outrageous "Hand of God" goal as England crashed out in the quarter-finals.

He was 21 when he first pulled on an England jersey and that helped to produce a fascinating statistic when England met Albania in a World Cup qualifier at Wembley in 1989. Blendi Nallbani, the goalkeeper at the other end, was only 17 and hadn't been born when Shilts made his debut.

England duly qualified for Italia '90, Shilton's third tournament, and he made a further seven Finals appearances as Bobby Robson's battlers reached the semi-finals. He bowed out, at 40, as captain, in the match for third place with Italy in Bari.

Who of the current England squad are chasing Shilton's record? Sol Campbell and Michael Owen have nine appearances and David Beckham eight.