RON BAYNHAM

Ron Baynham, died recently aged 94; he was England's longest surviving international footballer, a goalkeeper who excelled at his trade. He played for Luton Town in the 1959 FA Cup Final, one of the first finals I can say I watched on TV!

Ronald Leslie Baynham was born in Birmingham and his first love of sport was cricket. When experiencing the National Service, he discovered football, stationed in Germany with the 10th Royal Tank Regiment. He played sport whilst enlisted and was "clocked" by a Wolverhampton Wanderers scout but turned down the offer of a trial, so stayed with Bamford Amateurs and went on to join Worcester City in the Southern League. In November 1921 he moved on to Luton in the Second Division for a £1000, which helped Worcester City's bank account!

In 1955, Luton were in the "top" league and he played for England in victories over Denmark (5-1) in Copenhagen, Northern Ireland (3-0) and a 4-1 in over Spain at Wembley. There was competition for the keeper's spot and it was Reg Matthews from Third Division Coventry City who took his place before the emergence of  Ron Springett and then Gordon Banks!

The 1959 FA Cup Final against Nottingham Forest should have been a highlight but the Hatters did not perform and they lost 2-1. The Luton players were a "mature" bunch with Syd Owen, their experienced leader.  Baynham fractured his skull in September 1960 playing at home against Sheffield United and was fit again five months later but Luton had signed Jim Standen from Arsenal and they shared keeping for two years. In 1962 Standen moved to West Ham, Baynham played on and tretired in 1964. He played 434 games for Luton and he retired to take on a painter and decorator's job at Luton Airport.

Retiring to Silsoe, neat Luton he played local cricket and was voted Luton's best ever goalkeeper. His England caps were sold at auction to the Hatters' Heritage Charity and displayed at the club museum.