Albion mourn death of goalkeeping great Tony Godden | OneFootball

Former West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper Tony Godden has died aged 70. According to ExpressAndStar.com, he was part of one of the club’s great sides in the late 1970s.

Godden made 329 appearances for Albion between 1977 and 1986, and he still holds the club record of 228 consecutive games. He became a firm favourite among supporters.

Kent-born, he joined from non-league Ashford Town and succeeded John Osborne in goal. He debuted as a 21-year-old at Tottenham’s White Hart Lane in March 1977, the same day Laurie Cunningham made his bow in a 2-0 win.

He followed that maiden clean sheet with another on his Hawthorns debut, a 4-0 victory over Ipswich featuring a Bryan Robson hat-trick. Albion finished seventh that season, their first back in the top flight, then sixth, third and fourth across the next four campaigns. He was ever-present from 1977/78 under Ronnie Allen and Ron Atkinson, not missing a game until Tottenham in November 1981.

Godden was in goal for the iconic 5-3 triumph at Manchester United in December 1978. He also frustrated Mario Kempes with sprawling saves as Albion beat Valencia in the UEFA Cup.

Loans followed at Luton, Walsall and Chelsea, before a permanent move to Stamford Bridge in 1986. With Chelsea he saved two quickfire penalties 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 managed non-league sides Kings Lynn and Bury Town in the 1990s, then moved to Rushden & Diamonds as goalkeeper coach in 2006, where he had caretaker spells. He also served Brighton as goalkeeper coach.

Source: ExpressAndStar.com