Duncan Welbourne

Who is Duncan Welbourne?

Duncan Welbourne is an English former professional football player, coach and manager. Born in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, Welbourne started his professional career at Grimsby, as a wing half. In November 1963 he transferred to Watford, for a fee of £1,300. At Watford he converted to a full back, when the club started playing in a 4–4–2 formation. Welbourne set what was then a Watford record of 457 competitive appearances, breaking the 35-year-old record previously held by Tommy Barnett. His 280 consecutive Football League games remains a record. After finishing third in the club's inaugural Player of the Season award in 1972–73, Welbourne left Watford on a free transfer at the end of the 1973–74 season. He joined Southport, where he finished his playing career. He also took on a coaching role, and managed the team between September 1975 and January 1976.