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 Victor Robert “Vic” Woodley

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Victor Robert “Vic” Woodley

Birth
Burnham, South Bucks District, Buckinghamshire, England
Death
23 Oct 1978 (aged 68)
Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire Unitary Authority, Wiltshire, England
Burial
Westwood, Wiltshire Unitary Authority, Wiltshire, England
Plot
K25
Memorial ID
225999042 View Source

Vic was an English football goalkeeper who played for both Chelsea and the England national team between the wars.
He was spotted by a Chelsea scout whilst playing for Windsor & Eton and signed for the club in 1931, making his debut the same year. He was a member of the glamorous Chelsea side of the 1930s, playing alongside the likes of Hughie Gallacher, Alex Jackson and Alec Cheyne. Known for his reliability and his impressive sense of anticipation, his performances were often key to preserving Chelsea's First Division status with his high-profile teammates invariably failing to live up to expectations. So reliable was he that he kept John Jackson, Scotland's first choice goalkeeper, out of the Chelsea side.

Vic won nineteen caps for England - all consecutive, a record at the time - and in an era when there was stiff competition for the England goalkeeping jersey from Harry Hibbs, George Tweedy and Frank Swift. Vic was a member of the England side which toured Nazi Germany in 1938. His international career was ended prematurely by the outbreak of the Second World War.

Vic briefly resumed his playing career with Chelsea after the War, playing in their famous friendly match against Soviet side, Dynamo Moscow, but left on a free transfer shortly afterwards and joined Bath City. An injury crisis among Derby County's goalkeepers saw him return to the First Division early in 1946, making a further 30 league appearances. Vic's career also ended on a high note, as he kept goal during Derby's 4-1 FA Cup final win over Charlton Athletic.
In later life he moved to the Bradford on Avon area and was landlord of The Barge pub for a time.

Vic was an English football goalkeeper who played for both Chelsea and the England national team between the wars.
He was spotted by a Chelsea scout whilst playing for Windsor & Eton and signed for the club in 1931, making his debut the same year. He was a member of the glamorous Chelsea side of the 1930s, playing alongside the likes of Hughie Gallacher, Alex Jackson and Alec Cheyne. Known for his reliability and his impressive sense of anticipation, his performances were often key to preserving Chelsea's First Division status with his high-profile teammates invariably failing to live up to expectations. So reliable was he that he kept John Jackson, Scotland's first choice goalkeeper, out of the Chelsea side.

Vic won nineteen caps for England - all consecutive, a record at the time - and in an era when there was stiff competition for the England goalkeeping jersey from Harry Hibbs, George Tweedy and Frank Swift. Vic was a member of the England side which toured Nazi Germany in 1938. His international career was ended prematurely by the outbreak of the Second World War.

Vic briefly resumed his playing career with Chelsea after the War, playing in their famous friendly match against Soviet side, Dynamo Moscow, but left on a free transfer shortly afterwards and joined Bath City. An injury crisis among Derby County's goalkeepers saw him return to the First Division early in 1946, making a further 30 league appearances. Vic's career also ended on a high note, as he kept goal during Derby's 4-1 FA Cup final win over Charlton Athletic.
In later life he moved to the Bradford on Avon area and was landlord of The Barge pub for a time.

Gravesite Details

Vic and Betty are buried in Westwood Cemetery. Their entries in the Cemetery Register are 456 443. The Grave No. is K25. The grave is unmarked - no headstone or kerb - although there is a small flower vase

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