He made over 400 appearances for Luton Town
England's oldest living footballer Roy Benham has died aged 94.
Benham is a Luton Town legend, making 434 appearances for the Caps between 1951 and 1965.
He also made three appearances for England and Luton said he was the oldest England international at the time of his death.
Luton have published an obituary for the goalkeeping legend, who, according to club historian Roger Wash, “always received a round of applause when he visited Kenilworth Road in his later years, although he said No one will remember him.”
Born in Birmingham in 1929, Benham initially fell in love with cricket but was introduced to football after his older brother formed a team and made him the goalkeeper.
After turning down a trial with Wolves, Benham eventually signed for Worcester City before joining Luton Town two years later.
He made three appearances for England, against Denmark (beaten Denmark 5-1), Northern Ireland and Spain.
The most important moment of Benham's career came in 1959, when Luton played in the FA Cup final against Nottingham Forest, but they lost 2-1, a game he described as “ “The biggest disappointment” of his career.
A year later the goalkeeper suffered a potentially career-ending injury when he fractured his skull against Sheffield United, but fortunately recovered.
The last appearance of his career came in a reserve team game in 1965, which he was forced to take part in despite suffering a serious pelvic injury.
After retirement, Benham went on to become a painter and decorator, then working at Luton Airport.
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