Anthony Leonard Godden (2 August 1955 â 30 March 2026) was an English professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper in the Football League for West Bromwich Albion, Luton Town, Walsall, Chelsea, Birmingham City, Bury and Peterborough United.
Godden was born in Gillingham, Kent, and began his career with Kent non-league club Ashford Town. He then joined West Bromwich Albion in 1977. He made 267 league appearances (329 in all competitions) for the Midlands club, in addition to brief loan spells with Luton Town in 1982âÂÂ83 and Walsall in 1983âÂÂ84. Godden still held the West Bromwich record for 228 consecutive appearances. He joined Chelsea after his time at West Brom.From his time at Chelsea, he is most remembered for saving two penalties in a 1âÂÂ0 win against Manchester United at Old Trafford in September 1986. Both penalties were awarded within minutes of each other but Godden managed to saved both; the first from Jesper Olsen and the second from Gordon Strachan.
He dropped down a division to sign for Birmingham City for ã35,000 in July 1987, and subsequently had spells with Bury (on loan) and Peterborough United, before dropping into non-league football. He became a goalkeeping coach for Rushden & Diamonds in 2006, and also had brief spells as their caretaker manager, following the departures of Paul Hart and later Graham Westley. In February 2009, he joined Brighton & Hove Albion, following the exit of goalkeeping coach Paul Crichton to Norwich City.
Godden died on 29 March 2026, aged 70.