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 + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsBlackburn Rovers1946–47First Division151001511947–4812500125Total27600276Manchester City1948–49First Division830083Stoke City1949–50First Division22210232Mansfield Town1949–50Third Division North177—1771950–5114200142Total31900319Grimsby Town1951–52Third Division North100010Brentford1951–52Second Division10—101952–536100611953–54000000Total710071Southport1954–55Third Division North17200172Barrow1955–56Third Division North15311164Tranmere Rovers1955–56Third Division North142—142Macclesfield1958–59Cheshire County League301040Career Total145283114829
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