Goalkeeper Tommy Carpenter died last week at the grand age of 97, we were saddened to learn.
Watford’s oldest living former player until his recent passing, he celebrated his 96th birthday last year in fine style, with a fun-filled video chat with Troy Deeney (which you can watch below) where he reckoned he could second-guess the striker’s penalty destination.
Signed initially on amateur forms from Wembley in 1946, he was awarded a professional contract just before his debut in the 1950/51 campaign – as understudy to long-serving and popular gloveman Geoff Morton.
Carpenter’s four Watford appearances that season were to be his only games in league football, and injury curtailed his non-league goalkeeping not long afterwards.
A minute’s applause in memory of Tommy Carpenter and Vince McNeice will be held before kick-off for tomorrow’s Middlesbrough match. Please take your seats by 7.45pm (kick-off 8pm) to ensure you don’t miss some special VR100 centenary celebrations.
