Albion mourn Tony Godden, goalkeeping great, aged 70 | OneFootball

Tony Godden, the former West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper and a stalwart of the club’s late 1970s side, has died aged 70.

Per ExpressAndStar.com, he joined from non-league Ashford Town in 1977 to succeed John Osborne and became a firm favourite at The Hawthorns.

Godden made 329 appearances for Albion between 1977 and 1986, setting a club record of 228 consecutive games. He was ever-present from 1977/78 under Ronnie Allen and Ron Atkinson.

He debuted at Tottenham’s White Hart Lane in March 1977, the same day Laurie Cunningham made his bow in a 2-0 win. His first Hawthorns outing ended 4-0 against Ipswich, with Bryan Robson scoring a hat-trick.

Albion finished seventh that season on their return to the top flight, then posted finishes of sixth, third and fourth over the next four seasons.

He kept goal in the famous 5-3 win at Manchester United in December 1978 and impressed in the UEFA Cup victory over Valencia, thwarting Mario Kempes.

Loans to Luton, Walsall and Chelsea preceded a permanent move to Stamford Bridge in 1986. For Chelsea he saved two quickfire penalties in a 1-0 win at Manchester United.

He later played for Birmingham City, Bury, Peterborough United and Wivenhoe Town, retiring in 1991. He managed non-league Kings Lynn and Bury Town in the 1990s, then joined Rushden & Diamonds as goalkeeper coach in 2006, serving in caretaker spells. He also coached goalkeepers at Brighton.

Source: ExpressAndStar.com