Legends Pay Tribute as Godbold Retires After 70 Years
Godbold, who also served as Sir Bobby Robson’s PA for 36 years, bowed out alongside a host of former players with a celebration party in the Sir Bobby Robson Suite this morning.
The event was put on by the Former Players’ Association, led by club ambassadors Simon Milton and Matt Holland, and honoured Godbold’s seven decades at Portman Road.
The 89-year-old worked as secretary for all Blues managers from Scott Duncan, when she joined the club in 1954, to George Burley before stepping down full-time in 1997.
She has remained involved as a club archivist since, witnessing seven promotions, six relegations and three major trophies, but now retires after a lifetime of service.
Among the other former players present were Terry Butcher, Russell Osman, John Wark, Chris Kiwomya, Adam Tanner, James Scowcroft, Roger Osborne, Paul Goddard, Jason Dozzell and Cole Skuse.
“I am very proud,” Godbold said. “I can’t believe this has all happened just for me, they said they were going to do something but I had no idea. I know I had to be up early this morning and be ready, and it’s not finished yet because we’re going over to the restaurant as well.
“I have been looking forward to this but I was a little bit worried about one or two things as well, but everybody’s put me at ease. I can’t believe it’s all happened to me.
“Thank you all very much for coming to see me. All these lovely letters have so many happy memories and I can’t believe it all.”
On Robson, or ‘Mr R’ as she calls him, Godbold said: “Every manager had his own personalities, but he just seemed to be able to get over to people and think about everybody.
“He thought as much of the young apprentices coming through and groundstaff boys as he did the top class international players that he bought like George Burley, Alan Brazil and Russell Osman.
“He was a fantastic man to work with for 36 years. I continued and ran his commercial business and was his company secretary for over 20 years. Just a fantastic life working with and for such fantastic people.”
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