Duncan Welbourne, English footballer, Died at 78

Duncan Welbourne was born on July 28, 1940,  in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire and died on January 14, 2019.

He was an English professional football player, coach and manager.

 

Welbourne started his career as an amateur at Scunthorpe United.

 

Welbourne began his professional career at Grimsby, as a wing half.

 

During November 1963 Welbourne  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.

 

He set what was then a Watford record of 457 competitive appearances, breaking the 35-year-old record previously held by Tommy Barnett. 

Welbourne's  280 consecutive Football League games remains a record.

Completing third in the club's inaugural Player of the Season award in 1972–73, he left Watford on a free transfer at the end of the 1973–74 season. 

Welbourne  joined Southport, where he finished his playing career. 

Welbourne  also took on a coaching role, and managed the team between September 1975 and January 1976.

Welbourne passed away at 78 years old.