Name Reg Newton 1948–1949 Leyton Orient | Years Team Playing position | |
Full name Reginald William Newton Date of birth (1926-06-30) 30 June 1926 (age 89) | ||
Place of birth Limehouse, England | ||
Reginald William Newton (born 30 June 1926) is an English retired professional football goalkeeper. He is best remembered for his two spells in the Football League with Brentford, making 90 appearances.
Contents
- Leyton Orient
- Brentford
- Tunbridge Wells United
- Return to Brentford
- Return to non league football
- Personal life
- References
Leyton Orient
A goalkeeper, Newton began his career with the Dagenham Works team and earned a move to the Football League with Leyton Orient in 1948. He made 23 league appearances for the struggling Division Three South outfit during the 1948–49 season and left the club at the end of the campaign.
Brentford
Newton moved across London to sign for Division Two club Brentford prior to the beginning of the 1949–50 season. Newton was a second-choice goalkeeper behind Alf Jefferies, Ted Gaskell and Gerry Cakebread for much of his time at Griffin Park, but was first-choice during the 1953–54 season, making 42 appearances in a campaign which saw the Bees relegated from Division Two. Nonetheless, his service to the club was recognised when he was awarded the share of the benefits from a testimonial match shared with George Bristow, Ken Horne and Billy Sperrin in 1956. Newton left the club in February 1957, having made 87 appearances in just under eight years at Griffin Park.
Tunbridge Wells United
Newton dropped into non-league football to sign for Kent League Division One side Tunbridge Wells United in February 1957, linking up with former Brentford teammate Billy Sperrin. He left the club the following July.
Return to Brentford
New Brentford manager Malky McDonald re-signed Newton in July 1957, as backup for Gerry Cakebread and Sonny Feehan. He failed to make an appearance during the 1957–58 season and was transfer-listed in May 1958.
Return to non-league football
Newton closed out his career with spells at Southern League sides Yiewsley and Chelmsford City, once again linking up with Billy Sperrin at the former club. He called time on his career at the end of the 1959–60 season.
Personal life
Upon the outbreak of the Second World War, Newton joined the Army and was trained at Aldershot to be a PT instructor. While at Aldershot he was friends with Frank Swift, Denis Compton, Bill Shankly and Matt Busby.