Pat Godbold, who worked for nine Blues managers, was honoured with an LMA Service to Football Award at last night’s 27th LMA (League Managers Association) Annual Awards Dinner at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London in tribute to her 65 years working at Portman Road.
Godbold joined the club in 1954 as then-boss Scott Duncan’s secretary and went on to work for every subsequent manager - Sir Alf Ramsey, Jackie Milburn, Bill McGarry, Sir Bobby Robson, Bobby Ferguson, John Duncan and John Lyall - until retiring from full-time work during George Burley’s time in the hotseat in 1997.
Born in 1935, she continues to work at the club as archivist, is involved in the organisation of the annual ex-players’ dinner and can still be spotted around Portman Road on a matchday.
"It’s amazing, I can’t believe it," Godbold told TWTD. "I was so excited and overwhelmed when I heard the news that I was going to be honoured in this way because it’s one of those things you just don’t think about.
"I didn’t realise that when they did the League Managers Association Awards that they did awards for people who aren’t managers. It’s fantastic. I’m so pleased."
Godbold, who sat with Sam Allardyce and Sammy Lee at the dinner, received the award from her former boss Burley, while ex-Blues chairman David Sheepshanks was also in attendance, as was another one-time Town manager John Duncan and former striker Chris Kiwomya.
Last year Godbold received an honorary doctorate from the University of Suffolk.
I have known Pat since I joined Ipswich town as a player in 1987. She had already had about 35 years under her belt then! Amazing woman and credit to the glorious game of football ðŸ™ðŸ™ðŸ™ðŸ™ðŸ™ @henrywinter https://t.co/DyzIMpTrUf– Simon Milton (@Milts25) May 15, 2019