Peter Downsborough

Born Siddal, Halifax, 1943. An all round sportsman, Peter played cricket, rugby union, football and won honours boxing and swimming. He began life as a centre forward for Halifax Boys. An injury to the regular goalkeeper saw Peter go between the posts, where he excelled to such an extent that he was signed by Halifax Town.
Peter made his League debut for the Shaymen against Bournemouth in 1960. He made 148 League games for Halifax. In August 1965 he was transferred to Swindon Town in an exchange deal involving Bill Atkins and £3,000. His time at the County Ground saw Swindon sensationally defeat Arsenal in the 1969 League Cup Final, gain promotion to Division Two and win the Anglo-Italian Cup, when they defeated AS Roma in the final. In all Peter made 274 League appearances for Swindon – as well as 3 for Brighton during a brief loan spell.
Peter came to Valley Parade during November 1973 initially on loan, but the deal was soon made permanent and he signed for £5,000. He made his City debut against Crewe on 22 December 1973. It soon became apparent that City had secured an absolute bargain. Peter became a hero among the Valley Parade crowds – he once saved four successive penalties in 1977. He was part of the famous FA Cup run of 1976 and promotion from the Fourth Division the following season.
He made 252 appearances for City - his career total of 650 was a then record for a goalkeeper. Peter retired in July 1980, but sadly injury prevented him playing in his testimonial against Huddersfield in the May of that year. He retired to his native Halifax, where he lives to this day.