English footballer
Reginald William Newton (26 June 1926 – 21 November 1976) was an English professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper in the Football League for Brentford and Leyton Orient.
Playing career
Leyton Orient
A goalkeeper, Newton began his career with the Dagenham Works team and earned a move to the Football League with Leyton Orient in April 1948.[1] He made 23 league appearances for the struggling Third Division South club during the 1948–49 season and departed Brisbane Road at the end of the campaign.[2]
Brentford
Newton moved across London to sign for Second Division club Brentford in July 1949,[1] in a part-exchange for Alan Smith.[3] Newton was a second-choice goalkeeper behind Alf Jefferies, Ted Gaskell and Gerry Cakebread for much of his time at Griffin Park,[2] but was first-choice during the 1953–54 season and made 42 appearances in a campaign which saw the Bees relegated to the Third Division South.[4] Newton left the club in February 1957, having made 87 appearances in just under eight years with Brentford.[4] Nonetheless, his service to the club was recognised when he was awarded the share of the benefits from a testimonial match shared with George Bristow, Ken Horne and Billy Sperrin in 1956.[2]
Later career
Newton dropped into non-League football to sign for Kent League First Division club Tunbridge Wells United in February 1957.[2] New Brentford manager Malky McDonald re-signed Newton in July 1957, as backup for Gerry Cakebread and Sonny Feehan.[2] He failed to make an appearance during the 1957–58 season and was transfer-listed in May 1958.[5] Newton ended his career with spells at Southern League clubs Yiewsley and Chelmsford City.[2]
Personal life
Upon the outbreak of the Second World War, Newton joined the Army and was trained at Aldershot to be a PT instructor.[6] While at Aldershot he was friends with Frank Swift, Denis Compton, Bill Shankly and Matt Busby.[6] During and after his later years as a player at Brentford, Newton worked as a decorator.[7] He died in November 1976, at the age of 50.[1]
Career statistics
References