Name Duncan Welbourne | Role Football player | |
DUNCAN WELBOURNE TRIBUTE
Duncan Welbourne (born 28 July 1940) is an English former professional football player, coach and manager. Born in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, Welbourne started his professional career at Grimsby, as a wing half. In November 1963 he transferred to Watford, for a fee of £1,300. At Watford he converted to a full back, when the club started playing in a 4–4–2 formation. Welbourne set what was then a Watford record of 457 competitive appearances, breaking the 35-year-old record previously held by Tommy Barnett. His 280 consecutive Football League games remains a record. After finishing third in the club's inaugural Player of the Season award in 1972–73, Welbourne left Watford on a free transfer at the end of the 1973–74 season. He joined Southport, where he finished his playing career. He also took on a coaching role, and managed the team between September 1975 and January 1976.