John Osborne (footballer)
English footballer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
John Osborne (1 December 1940 – 7 November 1998) was an English football goalkeeper. He played for Chesterfield, West Bromwich Albion and Shamrock Rovers. Osborne was a member of Albion's great cup side of the late 1960s which played in 5 cup finals from 1966 to 1970, including the 1968 FA Cup final. His nickname was Bionic due to the plastic joint inserted in his finger.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 1 December 1940 | ||
| Place of birth | Barlborough, Derbyshire, England | ||
| Date of death | 7 November 1998 (aged 57) | ||
| Place of death | Worcester, Worcestershire, England | ||
| Position | Goalkeeper | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Bolton Wanderers | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1960–1966 | Chesterfield | 110 | (0) |
| 1966–1977 | West Bromwich Albion | 250 | (0) |
| 1972 | → Walsall (loan) | 3 | (0) |
| 1978 | Shamrock Rovers | 1 | (0) |
| Total | 367 | (0) | |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
He made his Rovers debut at Milltown under his old teammate Johnny Giles on 10 September 1978. He played 3 games in the 1978–79 European Cup Winners' Cup keeping 2 clean sheets giving him a total of 4 appearances for the Hoops.
In 2004, he was named as one of West Bromwich Albion's 16 greatest players, in a poll organised as part of the club's 125th anniversary celebrations.[1]
Osborne was the commercial manager of Worcestershire County Cricket Club from 1986 to 1995, and played a significant part in the county's signing of long-time major sponsor MEB.[2]
He died in Evesham Hospital, Worcestershire on 7 November 1998 from lung cancer.
Honours
West Bromwich Albion
