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Brian Goymer Article Underhill was saddened recently to hear the news of former goalkeeper Brian Goymer's death on Saturday 20th December 2008 at his home of 40 years in East Barnet – he was 69. The Barnet Football Club Supporters Association were fortunate to have met up with Brian a couple of years ago in the build up to Underhill's 100th Anniversary season culminating in Brian and 1950's team mate Bobby Brown visiting as guests of the club in June 2007. Although Tottenham was Brian's team he was a regular visitor to Underhill with his brother Michael, viewing from the North West Terrace. He was to say the least 'an entertaining gentleman' and a man who spoke his mind. This was confirmed during the Eulogy at his Funeral at New Southgate Crematorium on December 30th as the Vicar recalled a family member's anecdote. "Before anyone met him for the first time we would always say 'be prepared for what you are about to experience and take no offence. You are unlikely to have met anyone like our Brian before'" Brian was born in 1939 and joined West Ham United as a young teenager, appearing in their Youth team for three years. He featured in the 1957 Youth Cup Final at Wembley unfortunately on the loosing side to Manchester United 3-1. Holding down a day job as a Stock Exchange Clerk, Goymer joined Barnet in 1958 thanks to then Manager George Wheeler. "Mr Wheeler had recently signed Roy Sleap, Reggie Finch, Bobby Cantwell, Bobby Brown, Tony Harding and Roy Drake too as Barnet had been going through a poor couple of seasons. It was a very young side but a joy to play in. The D'arcy Brothers, Brian Ridley and Jimmy Duncan were the experienced players" he said.
After nearly 400 games for the club Brian joined Enfield for a spell and then moved to Wealdstone where he again appeared at Wembley in the 1966 FA Amateur Cup Final. This time he was on the winning side against Hendon 3-1, just three weeks before England won the World Cup. Brian rejoined Barnet in 1967 mainly as cover for Johnny Barr but played in numerous games keeping goal in the Southern League Cup Final of that year which the Bees narrowly lost over two legs to Guildford City. Later he played and coached at Mount Grace FC– who were to become Potters Bar Town and play and manage at Winchmore Hill FC. He told the BFCSA website with a big grin on his face, "Football was much more physical in my day. I remember being knocked over by a Leytonstone player once. Two years later I faced him again. I said 'When you next head that ball, I'll help you pick your teeth up after". The whole of this Football Club sends its sympathy and best wishes to Brian's widow Doreen and their three children David, Lorraine and Susan. Thanks Brian. RIP Brian Goymer 1939-2008 Photos
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Those players were the nucleus of
the team that represented Barnet at Wembley in the 1959
FA Amateur Cup Final in which the Bees lost 3-2 to Crook
Town. Brian recalled "I remember coming out of the
tunnel, the place was packed to the rafters - 98,000
people - there was a fantastic noise, I saw my Mum and
Dad. It was a marvellous thing, like your first game for
a new club. It was fair to say we were all a little
overawed by the occasion as we were the better team on
paper but the game is played on grass isn't it? The great
Bobby Brown scored our goals that day, he was a fabulous
player and scored nearly a goal a game while at Barnet
– that is legendary". He continued,
"Afterwards we couldn't get the coach down Barnet
High Street. There were people everywhere. The whole of
Barnet had been drawn to Wembley, it was like a magnet, a
fantastic sense of community". Brian often wore the
gold cuff links presented to him by the club on the eve
of the final.
