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.
