All at Cambridge United were shocked and saddened to hear of the death, at the age of 62, of former goalkeeper John Vaughan, who played throughout the most successful period in the club’s history, between 1988 and 1993...
Over those five seasons he made 231 appearances in all competitions and became one of the most popular - and best - keepers in the club’s history.
John was relatively short for a modern-day goalkeeper at five feet ten inches, but he made up for his lack of height with tremendous reflexes and agility. Nicknamed “The Legend” by supporters, he is particularly remembered for an astonishing save he made against Bolton Wanders at the Abbey in 1991.
Born at Isleworth on 26 June 1964 and a childhood Chelsea fan, the Londoner became a keeper by default as running was not his strong point; he soon demonstrated an aptitude for the role and signed for West Ham United. He never made the Hammers’ first team in six years, but was loaned out many times, to Coventry City, Charlton Athletic, Bristol Rovers, Wrexham and Bristol City.
He moved to Third Division Fulham for £20,000 in 1986 and became a regular in a struggling team, winning the supporters’ player of the year award. The following season he kept goal in their 10-0 Littlewood Cup thrashing by Liverpool. “It was a nightmare,” he recalled. “Men against boys, literally, because we had four or five teenagers in the side due to injuries.”
John lost his place when Fulham signed Jim Stannard and, after a season on the sidelines, he signed for United on a free transfer in May 1988.
He made his U’s debut on September 6 in a 3-1 Littlewoods Cup defeat at Gillingham. He kept a clean sheet in his first League game, a 1-0 home win over Stockport, and set up a goal within the first 35 seconds at home to Carlisle at the end of September, his long punt flicked on by player-coach John Beck for George Reilly to volley home. It was the first of many goals he would help to set up as United’s style of play became more and more direct.
John also helped to tighten the defence and remained first choice until he sustained a shoulder injury against Colchester in March. He missed the rest of the season but was awarded another year’s contract.
He resumed as first choice for 1989-90 and, after Beck took over as manager from Chris Turner, played a huge role in the following three seasons as United reach two FA Cup quarter-finals and achieved two successive promotions to rise to the verge of the inaugural Premier League in 1992.
On 2 April 1991, playing in a Division Three promotion clash with Bolton Wanders, John made what has been called the greatest save ever seen at the Abbey. Five minutes into the second half, a free kick was flicked on to the unmarked Mark Seagraves, no more than three yards out, and his powerful header seemed to catch Vaughan moving the wrong way, but somehow he stuck out his left arm in the blink of an eye and batted it off the goal line. “You can talk about your Gordon Banks save against Pele, but that goes down for me as the save of the century,” said Beck.
It was no surprise when John was voted player of the year by both the Cambridge Evening News and his fellow players.
After United’s abortive attempt to storm the Premier League stronghold in 1991-92, injury problems returned the following season, and John was dropped for the first time in April 1993 as the U’s were relegated. He was subsequently released after five exceptional seasons at the Abbey.
He soon got fixed up with Charlton Athletic, subsequently following Beck to Preston North End and later Lincoln City. He saved penalties for both clubs against United, stopping Paul Raynor’s effort at the Abbey in April 1996 and one from Micah Hyde in March 1997. At the age of 35, he returned to the Abbey for the last time with Chesterfield in January 2000.
Following his retirement from playing, John worked as an acclaimed goalkeeping coach at York City, Macclesfield Town, Grimsby Town, Huddersfield Town, Birmingham City, Barnsley and Bradford City. At the time of his death, he was working as academy coach at Sheffield United.
The Club's thoughts are with John's family and friends at this difficult time.
Supporters wishing to pay their respects will be able to do so ahead of Saturday's match against Plymouth Argyle, with a memorial tribute area located outside the front of the Cledara Abbey Stadium on Newmarket Road where messages, flowers and other tributes may be left.
