Gordon Livsey (1947-2026)

Former goalkeeper Gordon Livsey has passed away at the age of 79. Standing at 5ft 10 inches he may not have been the tallest of keepers but he more than made up for this with his tremendous agility. 

Keighley born Gordon started his career with Kettering Town in 1964 where he was spotted by Ken Roberts who was then assistant manager at Wrexham. He went on to make 79 appearances at the Racecourse Ground before Roberts, by now manager at Chester, signed him for £2,500 on the verge of the 1971/72 season as a replacement for Terry Carling. Making his debut at home to Cambridge United he went on to feature in 44 games, missing only two through injury. 

Despite a poor season, where Chester only avoided re-election by the skin of their teeth, the defence emerged with some credit as the 56 goals conceded was the 4th lowest since joining the Football League in 1931 and Gordon kept a clean sheets in each of his last five games.

In 1972 Gordon returned to Kettering where he cemented his place as a club legend completing 315 first team appearances and keeping a club record 91 clean sheets. He briefly returned to the Football League with Hartlepool and also managed Workington after they left the Football League while also featuring for Leamington, Nuneaton, Corby Town and Scarborough.