Cambridge United legend John Vaughan has died at the age of 62, prompting tributes from clubs across English football. The goalkeeper made nearly 400 league appearances during spells with Fulham, Preston North End and Lincoln City, and was most recently working as a goalkeeping coach at Bradford City.
Career spanning two decades
Vaughan began his career at West Ham United, though he never played for the Hammers. He also made brief appearances for Charlton Athletic, Bristol Rovers, Wrexham, Bristol City, Colchester United and Chesterfield during his playing days.
West Ham sold Vaughan to Fulham for £12,500 in the summer of 1986. He spent two seasons at Craven Cottage, making 44 league appearances, and was in goal the night Liverpool beat Fulham 10–0 in a League Cup tie, which remains the Merseyside club's record win in the competition.
Success at Cambridge United
Released by Fulham in 1988, Vaughan signed for Cambridge United under manager Chris Turner. He enjoyed considerable success at the club, winning successive promotions by clinching the old Fourth Division play-offs in 1989-1990 and the former Third Division title in 1990-1991.
Under Turner's successor John Beck, Cambridge finished the 1991–92 season in the play-offs for the inaugural Premier League season but were beaten by Leicester City. After falling out of favour when Beck left, Vaughan joined Charlton Athletic and then Preston North End, where he linked up again with Beck. He followed Beck to Lincoln City before winding down his career at Colchester United and Chesterfield, later moving into coaching.
Clubs pay tribute
In a statement on X, Bradford City said: "Bradford City AFC is saddened to learn of the passing of former Bantams goalkeeping coach, John Vaughan. Our thoughts are with John’s family and loved ones at this devastating time. Rest in peace, John."
Huddersfield Town also posted a tribute on X, saying: "All at Huddersfield Town are saddened to learn of the passing of our former goalkeeping coach John Vaughan at the age of 62. Our collective thoughts are with John’s family and loved ones at this time. Once a Terrier, always a Terrier."
Barnsley paid tribute as well, writing: "Everyone at Oakwell is saddened to learn of the passing of former Reds goalkeeper coach, John Vaughan. John worked under Lee Johnson, Paul Heckingbottom, José Morais and Daniel Stendel. Our thoughts go to John's family, friends and colleagues. Once a Red, Always a Red."
Vaughan had previously worked as a coach for York City, Macclesfield Town and Grimsby Town, before training goalkeepers at Huddersfield Town, Birmingham City, Barnsley and Bradford.
