Verdi Godwin BEM (11 February 1926 – 1 December 2013) was an English footballer who played as a forward in the Football League for Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City, Mansfield Town, Middlesbrough, Grimsby Town, Brentford and Stoke City. After retiring as a player, he worked as a scout.

Career

Godwin was born in Blackburn and began his career with local club Blackburn Rovers. He scored six league goals in two seasons at Ewood Park and joined Manchester City in June 1948. He scored three goals in eight matches for City before joining Stoke City, whose manager Bob McGrory saw Godwin as the answer to Stoke's goalscoring problem in 1949–50. However, despite scoring on his debut, Godwin scored just once more in the next 20 league matches and by January he was transferred to Third Division Mansfield Town in part-exchange for Harry Oscroft. Following his spell with the Stags, Godwin became a journeyman and spent short spells with Middlesbrough, Grimsby Town, Brentford, Southport, Barrow, Tranmere Rovers and finally Macclesfield.

Personal life

After retiring from football, Godwin worked during the summer for 36 years as a lifeguard on Southport beach. He was awarded the British Empire Medal in recognition of his service.

Career statistics