14 Facts About Len Goulden

Leonard Arthur Goulden was an English footballer who played as an inside-left.

Len Goulden was born at Homerton, in Hackney, London, and raised in nearby Plaistow.

Len Goulden signed for West Ham United as an amateur in 1931, but was sent out to Chelmsford City and Leyton to gain experience.

Len Goulden signed professional forms with West Ham in 1933 and remained with the Hammers for six years, making over 250 appearances and scoring 55 goals from the inside-left position.

Len Goulden retired as a player in 1950, having made 111 Chelsea appearances and scored 17 goals.

Len Goulden won 14 England caps while a West Ham player, scoring four goals.

Len Goulden made his debut on 14 May 1937, against Norway in Oslo.

Len Goulden appeared in several wartime internationals, but these are not considered official full international matches.

Len Goulden met the ball on the run; without surrendering any pace, his left leg cocked back like the trigger of a gun, snapped forward and he met the ball full face on the volley.

Len Goulden remained at Chelsea until 1952, before moving to Hertfordshire in November 1952 for a management opportunity at Watford.

Len Goulden took over for the remainder of the season, but was only able to salvage a 21st-placed finish.

Burgess and Len Goulden's impact was immediate; Watford won promotion from the Fourth Division in 1960, and very nearly a second consecutive promotion in 1961.

Len Goulden departed the following season, again coaching overseas, before returning to management in England with Banbury United in 1965.

Len Goulden, assisted by his former player Maurice Cook, helped Banbury reach the Southern League for the first time in their history.