He made over 400 appearances for Luton Town
Roy Baynham, England’s oldest surviving player, has died at the age of 94.
Baynham was a Luton Town legend and made 434 appearances for the Hatters between 1951-1965.
He also played three times for England, with Luton saying he was the oldest surviving England international at the time of his death.
Luton released an obituary to the goalkeeping legend in which they said he was “always greeted with warm applause when he visited Kenilworth Road in later life despite him saying that no-one would remember him,” as told by club historian Roger Wash.
Born in Birmingham in 1929, Baynham initially fell in love with cricket but was introduced to football after his brother formed a team and made him go in goal.
After turning down a trial at Wolves, Baynham would eventually sign for Worcester City before joining Luton two years on.
His three England caps came against Denmark – who they beat 5-1 – Northern Ireland and Spain.
1959 was Baynham’s biggest career moment as Luton took on Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup final but they would fall short, losing 2-1 in what he would describe as the “biggest disappointment” of his playing days.
One year later the ‘keeper suffered a potential career-ending injury when he fractured his skull against Sheffield United but thankfully recovered.
The final appearance of his career came in a reserve game in 1965 when he was forced to play despite a serious pelvic injury.
After retiring, Baynham went on to become a painter and decorator before working at Luton Airport.
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