Peter Downsborough

Peter Downsborough (13 September 1943 – 26 September 2019) was an English professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper.

Career A centre forward as a schoolboy, he transferred into the role of goalkeeper after deputising for an injured teammate during a school match.

Downsborough made his League debut for his local side Halifax Town just before his 17th birthday and went on to play in 148 games in total before being signed for Swindon Town by Danny Williams.

He made his Swindon debut in the first game of the 1965/66 season, keeping a clean sheet against local rivals Oxford United at the County Ground. Bob Wilson - Arsenal goalkeeper

"On the occasions they did find gaps in the Town rearguard, their efforts were not good enough to beat goalkeeper Downsborough, who was in superb form. Time and again he leapt out to punch away dangerous corner kicks, and two of his saves from direct shots were breathtaking" Clive King - Swindon Advertiser

An error in the 86th minute of the game saw Arsenal equalise through a Bobby Gould header, Downsborough attempted to clear the ball from the edge of the penalty area only to kick it against the Arsenal player and launch the ball into the air. Gould calmly followed the ball's progress and scored easily.

"It was my fault. I take the blame for it. I started to come off my line and then stopped. As the ball came to me I was late on it and kicked it straight at Bobby's foot. I was on the floor, the ball rebounded over my head and left Bobby with an easy header into the empty net. I remember wishing that the ground would open up and swallow me. I thought to myself that the one mistake could have cost us the League Cup. After all that hard work in 90 minutes of football it could have been my one moment of madness that cost Swindon the trophy. I could not believe that I had done a thing like that." Peter Downsborough

Swindon beat Arsenal against the odds in extra time and Downsborough was voted Town Player of the Year by the supporters.

On 12 October 2019, before a League Two matchup between Swindon and Plymouth Argyle, there was a minute-long tribute to Downsborough.

Honours Swindon Town FC

League Cup: 1969 Anglo-Italian League Cup: 1969 Anglo-Italian Cup:1970

Individual

Swindon Town F.C Player of the Year: 1969