Ellis Boughton was just about to order a pre-match pint at the Thornhill Park bar before Lydney Town’s Hellenic League fixture against Slimbridge when he felt a tap on his shoulder. The club’s manager, Lee Smith, had urgent news: with regular goalkeeper Alex Causon unwell, Boughton was needed between the posts.
Despite having paid £8 for his ticket as a spectator, the 27-year-old didn’t hesitate. Having already appeared around 20 times for Lydney’s first team as cover, his debut dating back to a memorable FA Cup replay in 2018 where he was man of the match, Boughton was ready to step up once again.
There was just one hitch — he had no boots, no gloves, and no goalkeeper kit with him.
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“Smithy came up and said ‘hang fire mate,’ so I knew something was coming,” Boughton recalled. “He asked for my shoe size and within minutes I was squeezing into boots a size too small and borrowing gloves and shin pads from the goalkeeping coach, James Hemming. None of it fit well — the gloves felt like gardening gloves!”
Despite the ill-fitting gear, Boughton gave a determined performance, helping 17th-placed Lydney secure an impressive clean sheet against second-placed Slimbridge. He described the match as going well overall, admitting a single “Superman” moment where he missed the ball but was bailed out by his defenders. “My kicking was okay and the team did well to limit their shots,” he said. “I’m buzzing for the lads that we kept a clean sheet.”
After the game, Boughton was offered a pint by Slimbridge’s chairman, Barry Gay, who also kindly deferred kick-off to accommodate Lydney players delayed by transport issues. Boughton, a lifelong local with deep family ties to Lydney Town — including a grandfather and uncle who have both been club chairmen — happily accepted this gesture, though he declined a ticket refund.
Aside from football, Boughton also enjoys cricket and works at Severn Valley Woodworks. His recent festive celebrations continued as he played up front and scored in a veterans’ friendly that ended 2-2.
Lydney Town now prepare to face Hereford Pegasus at home this Saturday at 3pm, with Boughton ready for whatever role the team needs him to fill.