Playing Career
Born in Hackney, London, Goulden began his career with Chelmsford City, before moving to Leyton and then West Ham United in 1933. He remained with the Hammers for six years, making over 250 appearances and scoring 55 goals from his inside forward position. He was an ever-present, along with Joe Cockroft, during the 1936-37 season.
Goulden also won 14 England caps during his time at Upton Park. At a match against Germany in 1938, he scored with a shot that reportedly ripped the net from the crossbar; he is then reported to have shouted, "Let 'em salute that one!" His West Ham career was interrupted when World War II started and he never played another competitive match for the club, though he did win the Football League War Cup with them in 1940.
Following the conflict, he signed with west Londoners Chelsea for £4,500 and linked up well with fellow new signings Tommy Lawton and Tommy Walker - the trio scored 47 goals between them in 1946-47 - though the side failed to make to challenge for honours, coming closest in the FA Cup, when they lost to Arsenal in the semi-finals, despite having led 2-0. Goulden retired as a player in 1950, having made 111 Chelsea appearances and scored 17 goals.
Read more about this topic: Len Goulden
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