Gary Lineker's Factfile

Personal Life
Gary Winston Lineker was born in Leicester on 30th November 1960. 30th Nov is also Winston Churchill’s birthday, hence the middle name.

Gary knew he wanted to be a professional footballer from an early age. When he was taking his 11-Plus his parents were living outside of the city. Gary went to live with his grandparents so that he could remain in the catchment area for the football playing grammar school. The school near his parent’s house was a rugby school.

Gary is married to Michelle whom he first when he was 19 and she was 15 “We saw one another in a bar in Leicester. She was obviously under age so we didn’t start dating until she was 17. Until then I would see her around and keep my eye on her to make sure she wasn’t trapped by anybody else!" The couple have four boys: George (12), Harry (9), Tobias (7), Angus (5)


Did You Know?

Gary loves golf and plays off a handicap of four. He often plays golf with fellow presenter Alan Hansen but apparently Alan is better than Gary and keeps taking money off him when Gary loses.

During his 16 year football career Garywas never booked…. not even a yellow card. “I never got booked because I never made a single tackle in my career!” he jokes. Nor did he argue with the referees because he knew "there was no chance they’d turn round and say, 'OK yes, you’ve convinced me, I’ve made a mistake'. Referees are a very irritating lot by and large...”

In 1988 Gary was the subject of an eight week profile story in the "Roy of the Rovers" comic.


Cool Credentials

Gary netted a total of 322 goals before calling it quits at the relatively young age of 33.

He scored 48 goals for England. Only one less than Bobby Charlton who holds the record.

He received 80 caps for England.

He won the Golden Boot Award for being top scorer at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico – he is the only English player ever to have received this award.