Brian Godfrey

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Assistant Manager

Brian Godfrey (pic. Tony Hickey)
Pic: Tony Hickey

DoB: 1st May 1940
Birthplace: Flint

City Managerial Record:
To be updated

Managerial Career
Previous Clubs:
Bath City (as player-manager), Exeter City, Weymouth, Bath City, Gloucester City, Shortwood United, Cinderford Town (as assistant), Newport AFC (chief scout), Gloucester City (as assistant)
Honours: Southern League Championship 77/78, DML 
Midland Championship 88/89, DML Midland Division Manger 
of the Year 88/89, FA Cup 2nd Round 89/0, DML Premier R-up 90/1, Gloucestershire Snr. Cup Winners 90/1, 92/3.

Playing Career (as forward: 1960-1978)
Previous Clubs:
Everton (1), Scunthorpe United (87-24), Preston North End (121(1)-52), Aston Villa (139(24)-22), Bristol Rovers (79(2)-16), Newport County (117(1)-14), Portland Timbers, Bath City.
Honours: Wales u-23s, Wales (3 caps - 2 goals; Caps vs. Northern Ireland, Denmark, Italy), 1971 League Cup Finalist.

Pen Pic:  
Something of a living legend at Meadow Park having been the only manager in many years to actually bring trophies to Gloucester City. Has returned to City as assistant to Tommy Callinan, and his experience is bound to prove invaluable. Previously had been working with Tim Harris at Newport County as his main scout.
Joined Gloucester in 1987 having had success at Weymouth and Bath, and within two years had amassed a fearsome squad of players that took City to the midland division title in some style, with a flurry of goals and fluid attacking play that saw the birth of the original T-End 'barmy army'. Spent money wisely and brought in players like Lance Morrison, Chris Townsend, Wayne Noble, Steve Talboys, Brian Hughes and Nigel Green who entertained and competed. Godfrey then took City on their best ever Cup run, leading to a narrow replay defeat against Cardiff City in the 2nd Round. Godfrey then showed again his success had been no fluke, building a side in 90/91 that came within three minutes of the Southern League title and the Conference, adding players like Steve Fergusson, Brendan Hackett, Jason Eaton, Gary Kemp and Jeff Meacham to the remainder of his old side.
Unfortunately the Alderman fiasco and money problems forced Godfrey to break up his side and he was sacked in November 1991 for failing to do so quick enough to meet the new budget. However poor performances led to fan demonstrations demanding his return, and chairman George Irvine bravely brought him back in February 1992. The following seasons were not so glorious, but even with less cash at his disposal Godfrey built a side that more than held its own, bringing in amongst others such familiar names as Tommy Callinan, Paul Bywater and Karl Bayliss. Eventually left City when Keith Gardiner took over the club in April 1994, and sadly saw his managerial career tail off into a more supporting role.  

As a player Brian enjoyed a successful career as an inside forward, turning professional with Everton but making just one appearance with the club before moving to Scunthorpe United. It was with the Irons he made his name, scoring on his home debut against Ipswich and helping them reach a club record 4th place in Division 2 in 1961/2. Preston North End then spent £8,000 on him and he responded with 10 goals in his first fourteen games. In the 1965/66 season Brian was Preston’s leading goalscorer including a four-minute hat trick in the last game of the season, in the 9-0 against Cardiff City. His form saw him make his full international debut against Northern Ireland in April 1964, scoring one. Having played against Denmark Godfrey's final cap was in Florence, when he scored a consolation goal in a 4-1 defeat against Italy. 

Godfrey in action at the 1971 League 
Cup final

Godfrey missed out on promotion to Division 1 with Preston when they finished 3rd in Division 2. In 1967 he moved to Aston Villa, scoring on his debut but then seeing Villa relegated to Division 3 in 1970. However Godfrey captained the Villa side to the League Cup final at Wembley when they lost to Spurs in 1971. He moved to Bristol Rovers the following summer and played in the Rovers side that beat a Manchester United side including Best and Bobby Charlton 2-1 at Old Trafford in a League Cup replay. He then became Newport County's record £10,000 signing in June 1973 and played at Somerton Park for two seasons.

In July 1976 he joined Southern League Bath City as player-manager and took them to 4th place in his first campaign. He went on to win the title in 1977/78 as player-manager and also took them to the 1st Round of the FA Cup. In January 1979 he was appointed manager of Exeter City until resigning in June 1983. The highlight of his time in Devon was the club's run to the 6th Round of the FA Cup, beating Leicester City and Newcastle United before losing to eventual winners Tottenham at White Hart Lane. Having left Exeter Brian returned to the non-league game, enjoying further success at Weymouth and Bath before joining City in 1987.

Thanks to Philip Moody for help with details of Brian's career.

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