Cambridge United legend John Vaughan has died at the age of 62, sparking a wave of tributes. The EFL legend made nearly 400 league appearances with lengthy spells also at Fulham, Preston North End and Lincoln City, and was last working as a goalkeeping coach at Bradford City.
Vaughan, who started his career at West Ham United but never played for the Hammers, also made brief appearances for Charlton Athletic, Bristol Rovers, Wrexham, Bristol City, Colchester United and Chesterfield. He later went into coaching, working for York City, Macclesfield Town and Grimsby Town, before training stars at Huddersfield Town, Birmingham City, Barnsley and Bradford.
In a statement confirming his death 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.”
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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 that Liverpool beat Fulham 10–0 in a League Cup clash – the Merseyside giants’ record win in the competition.
He was released from Fulham in 1988 and signed by Cambridge United manager Chris Turner. He enjoyed huge success at United, winning successive promotions by clinching the old Fourth Division play-offs in 1989-1990 and the former Third Division title in 1990-1991.
Led by Turner’s successor John Beck, the U’s finished the 1991–92 season in the play-offs for the inaugural Premier League season, but were beaten by Leicester City, narrowly missing out on a remarkable rise to the top flight.
Having fallen out of favour after Beck left the club, he joined Charlton Athletic, then Preston North End, where he linked up again with Beck. There, he was part of the team who won the Third Division title in 1995-96.
He also followed the legendary Cambridge United boss to Lincoln City, before winding down his career at Colchester United and Chesterfield, then moving into coaching.
Huddersfield Town also posted a tribute on X. The club said: “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 also paid tribute, 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.”