Gary Westwood

Former professional goalkeeper

Gary joined Ipswich Town as an apprentice in 1981. Finding first team opportunities hard to come by, Gary gained experience in a series of loan deals at Crystal Palace, Charlton Athletic, Peterborough and at Reading in 1983. 

Gary’s League career was confined to games played at Reading. After a successful loan period at Elm Park, in which he celebrated 3 clean sheets in 5 games, his signing was made permanent in July 1984.

After taking over from Alan Judge in September 1984, Gary never missed a game for two and half seasons which meant he was ever-present during Reading’s runaway Third Division championship win in 1985/86 - the season that Reading established a League record of winning the first 11 games of the season. 

The arrival of Steve Francis from Chelsea in February 1987, relegated Gary to second choice. Despite this Gary remained a fine and competent keeper, and so it came as a shock when he decided to go part-time and quit League football to concentrate on his business interests.

Gary made over 150 League and cup appearances between 1984 and 1988 when he joined Wokingham Town.

He visits Madejski Stadium as often as his business commitments will allow and is a popular hospitality speaker.