Luton and England goalkeeper Ron Baynham passes away at the age of 94

Luton and England goalkeeper Ron Baynham passes away at the age of 94- Ron Baynham, the former Luton Town and England goalkeeper, has passed away at the age of 94. Born in Birmingham in 1929, Baynham’s football career began with a love for cricket, but his brother’s formation of a football team led him to the goalkeeper position. Initially, Baynham was offered a trial with Wolverhampton Wanderers but declined, opting instead for Worcester City. Two years later, he was offered another trial at Luton Town, where he signed on in exchange for £1,000.

Baynham made 434 appearances for Luton Town, from 1951 to 1965, and was a key figure in the team that won promotion to Division One in 1955. His international career with England was highlighted by three caps earned in 1955, including a 5-1 victory over Denmark. Baynham was also part of the Luton team that reached the FA Cup final in 1959, where they lost to Nottingham Forest. Despite the loss, Baynham considered the FA Cup final as one of the biggest highlights of his career, even though it brought him the biggest disappointment.

In September 1960, Baynham suffered a fractured skull during a game against Sheffield United but recovered well enough to continue playing. His final appearance in goal came in a reserve game in 1965, despite a serious pelvic injury. After retiring from football, Baynham worked as a painter and decorator and also at Luton Airport, before retiring to live in Silsoe, Bedfordshire.

Baynham was always greeted with warm applause when he visited Kenilworth Road in later life, and his appearances on the pitch at half-time were met with rapturous applause. Despite his modest claims that no one would remember him, his contributions to Luton Town and England were significant, and he was recognized as England’s oldest surviving international player at the time of his death.