A SEARCH for the final resting place in west Wiltshire of former Chelsea FC and England goalkeeper Vic Woodley has ended in success.

Following an appeal in the Wiltshire Times, the Chelsea Graves Society has learned that Mr Woodley is buried in an unmarked plot at Westwood Cemetery near Bradford on Avon.

Mr Woodley died aged 68 in Bradford on Avon in October 1978. He was a former landlord of the town's Barge Inn.

He played in goal for Chelsea Football Club from 1931-1945, and also for the England national team, Derby County FC and Bath City FC during his career.

Andrew Rowley, of Chelsea Graves Society, said: "Due to your newspaper article we have found Vic's final resting place in Westwood Cemetery.

"His grandson is due to contact me to give me more information. Westwood Parish Council have also been a great help and were unaware they had such a distinguished person in their cemetery.

"One of our ultimate aims, in conjunction with family input into the project and permission, is to maybe provide a headstone or memorial. Other fan groups like Derby County and Rangers have successfully done this with crowd funding from supporters."

Roger Coleman, the Westwood Parish Council clerk, said: "We were alerted to it and all we needed to do was to check the register and his name was on it. I took a couple of photographs and sent them to Mr Rowley."

The Society was set up to research and record the final resting places of ex-Chelsea players and officials.

Mr Woodley was born on February 26 1910 in Burnham and died on October 23 1978.

He was spotted by a Chelsea scout whilst playing for Windsor & Eton and signed for the club in 1931, making his debut the same year.

Mr Woodley was a member of the glamorous Chelsea side of the 1930s and was known for his reliability and his impressive sense of anticipation. He kept John Jackson, Scotland's first choice goalkeeper, out of the Chelsea side.

He was a member of the England side which toured Nazi Germany in 1938, performing the Hitler salute before the match at the Olympiastadion.

After the Second World War ended, Mr Woodley briefly resumed his playing career with Chelsea, playing in their famous friendly match against Soviet side, Dynamo Moscow, but left on a free transfer to join Bath City.

Mr Woodley returned to the First Division early in 1946, making a further 30 league appearances for Derby County FC. His career ended on a high note, as he kept goal during Derby's 4-1 FA Cup final win over Charlton Athletic.

The Chelsea Graves Society is also looking for the final resting place of Ben Howard-Bakers, who died in Warminster on September 10 1987.

He played in goal for Chelsea but also represented Britain as an athlete at the 1912 and 1920 Olympics.

Anyone who can help should contact Mr Rowley at andrewrowley22@yahoo.co.uk.