Albion mourn goalkeeping great Tony Godden, aged 70 | OneFootball

Former Albion goalkeeper Tony Godden has died aged 70, according to ExpressAndStar.com.

A mainstay of the thrilling late 1970s side, he made 329 appearances between 1977 and 1986. Signed from non-league Ashford Town, he succeeded John Osborne and set a club record of 228 consecutive games.

He made his debut aged 21 at White Hart Lane in March 1977, the same day Laurie Cunningham featured in a 2-0 win. Another clean sheet followed on his Hawthorns bow, a 4-0 defeat of Ipswich featuring a Bryan Robson hat-trick.

Albion ended that season seventh on their return to the top flight, then finished sixth, third and fourth across the next four campaigns. Godden was ever-present from 1977/78 under Ronnie Allen and Ron Atkinson, playing 51 matches that term and not missing another until Tottenham in November 1981.

He kept goal for the iconic 5-3 win at Manchester United in December 1978 and made sprawling stops to frustrate Mario Kempes as Valencia were beaten in the UEFA Cup.

Loans followed at Luton, Walsall and Chelsea, before a 1986 move to Stamford Bridge, where he is remembered for two quickfire penalty saves in a 1-0 win at Manchester United. He later represented Birmingham City, Bury, Peterborough United and non-league Wivenhoe Town, retiring in 1991.

Godden went on to manage Kings Lynn and Bury Town in the 1990s, then became Rushden & Diamonds goalkeeper coach in 2006, taking caretaker spells. He also served Brighton as goalkeeper coach.

Source: ExpressAndStar.com