Former Town Keeper Best Dies
Tuesday, 9th Dec 2025 16:04

Former Town keeper David Best has died, aged 82.

Wareham-born Best started his career with local side Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic before moving on to Oldham Athletic in September 1966 for a fee of £15,000.

Two years later, shortly before his departure for Wolves, manager Bill McGarry brought him to Town, the Blues having won promotion to the First Division the previous season.

Having initially been back-up to Ken Hancock, Best established himself as the regular keeper during Bobby Robson’s early years at the club, making 199 appearances for the club before departing for Portsmouth for £30,000 in February 1974.

He kept a clean sheet in both legs of the famous 1-0-on-aggregate UEFA Cup victory over Real Madrid in 1973/74 and the 6-4 win against Lazio the same season, the second leg played in a hostile atmosphere in which the Town players were chased off the field and had to barricade themselves in their dressing room.

Best was also in goal for both legs of the 1972/73 Texaco Cup victory over Norwich City, the first trophy Robson won as a manager.

He was the keeper ‘beaten’ by Alan Hudson’s famous Goal That Never Was at Chelsea in September 1970.

 Following just over a year with Pompey, Best returned to the Cherries, by that point known as AFC Bournemouth, then in 1976 was appointed player-manager of Southern League Division One South Dorchester Town.

He later had a spell in charge of Wareham Rangers in the Dorset Combination League and worked as a transport manager for Westwind Air Bearings, also in his home town.

Town will hold a minute’s applause ahead of Wednesday night's home game against Stoke City.

Photo: ZUMA Press Wire via Reuters Connect

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Merthyrblue added 16:16 - Dec 9 Sad news. Have vivid memories of him playing football with his son on Stone Lodge Park. I guess he lived in the adjacent road? Royston Drive?
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jabberjackson added 16:19 - Dec 9

My first Ipswich goalie, and very good he was too
And that night in Rome …. Terrifying!
For my Dad at least. As the club doctor he wasn’t quick enough to get into the changing room after the match, and was outside with the baying Italian fans. Luckily he had black hair and mildly Mediterranean looks!
He also had the privilege of sewing up David Johnson’s scrotum after a horror tackle (on his tackle) in the first leg

carlisleaway added 16:36 - Dec 9 RIP David, remember him keeping the Real Madrid forwards at bay to clinch a famous goaless draw away in Spain
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Broadbent23 added 16:36 - Dec 9 One of my early heroes back in the 70's. A true legend of our European adventures. RIP David
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Radlett_blue added 16:42 - Dec 9 Best was Town's #1 when I started going to games & he was a very solid keeper. Hard to remember him throwing one in. Was effectively replaced by the under-rated Paul Cooper. RIP.
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atty added 16:50 - Dec 9 RIP David . Solid guy, solid keeper.
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Brogan55 added 16:58 - Dec 9 He was a good goalie,the type you could rely on.That Hudson “goal “ was typical at that time,we consistently were not given the right decisions,the so called bigger clubs were always favoured.As Town improved,so did our luck. Rest in peace David,I enjoyed watching you in goal.
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cressi added 17:05 - Dec 9 First goalie between the sticks when I started going a under rated keeper in a time we was absolutely spoilt by top British goalkeepers. RIP David
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itsonlyme added 17:14 - Dec 9 RIP David ! Very dependable and solid goalie!
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Churchman added 17:15 - Dec 9 He was a terrific keeper. I saw him play and he was one of the best at ITFC during my time watching them. RIP Mr Best
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TractorfactorSteve added 17:28 - Dec 9 From a long line of very good (and a few not so) keepers for ITFC. Sad news. RIP.
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Blue_badge added 17:34 - Dec 9 Wonderfuly brave keeper as well as technically adept. I have a half recollection of him playing on in a game with a significant injury - cracked ribs was it? RIP David Best.
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armchaircritic59 added 18:04 - Dec 9 Remember David well. I have a vague memory of him making an absolutely tremendous flying save at Portman Road. So long ago I don't remember who it was against. A sound and reliable keeper. RIP David Best.
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ArnieM added 18:13 - Dec 9 " E for B and David Best", used to be a chant for him.... a good goal keeper. RIP David Best
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OldClactonBlue added 18:14 - Dec 9 Sad news indeed. Remember well him taking offrom Ken Hancock and establishing himself in the First Division ream.
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monty_radio added 18:23 - Dec 9 My first keeper was Roy Bailey, but Best was my favourite keeper bar none
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dangerous30 added 18:31 - Dec 9 RIP David Best
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trncbluearmy added 18:40 - Dec 9 RIP david One of my all time favourites and a fine,very brave,goalkeeper Once a Blue, Always a Blue
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armchaircritic59 added 19:32 - Dec 9 jabberjackson, all I can say after your final sentence is OUCH! Your Dad obviously did a fine job, as DJ lived to tell the tale!
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itfchorry added 19:53 - Dec 9 I was asked to do an all time Ipswich Team for the programme a few years back and had David Best as my Keeper - Was my first keeper at Town like Jabber- He would contend with Laurie Sivell - My thoughts with his family and friends. Once a blue always a blue
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ottawafan added 20:45 - Dec 9

As a (Canadian) teenager living in London but supporting the Town since I saw Ipswich's undeserved loss to Leeds at Portman road in August 1969, I tried to attend as many games when Ipswich played in London. I was at Stamford Bridge for the "Goal that never was" but I remember best of all his performance versus West Ham at Upton Park (march 1970). Despite playing with a knock the he sustained during the early part of the game made some absolutely heroic saves against the likes of Geoff Hurst and a brilliant West Ham team for a 0-0 result. He's always been my favourite keeper for town. RIP David Best - a very underrated player.

Dissboyitfc added 21:15 - Dec 9 Like so many other posts on here, Best was the first keeper i remember between the Sticks! RIP David am Itfc legend!
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algarvefan added 22:41 - Dec 9 RIP David, a good keeper during my early years supporting Town, my first Keeper being Ken Hancock.
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Bert added 22:51 - Dec 9 Sad news. Of all our past keepers I remember him the most probably because of his green jersey !
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YorkshireBlue1967 added 00:06 - Dec 10 Can’t believe David Best is no longer with us…I really must be getting old!!! One of my heroes - God Bless you David!
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