The last line of defence during Albion’s Division One days, Graham Moseley was dropped on a number of occasions but always managed to regain his place. His nine-year career on the South Coast took a number of unexpected turns, but his total of 224 appearances remains the highest of any Albion goalkeeper since Brian Powney in the early 1970s.
Like many a no.1, he came into the job almost by accident as the tallest lad in his school team, and went on to represent Stretford and Lancashire Schools before becoming an apprentice with Blackburn Rovers. After a year on the Ewood Park staff Graham was signed as a professional in September 1971 in order to gain an £18,000 fee from Derby County, and he was transferred to the ‘Rams’ the following day. The young keeper gained England youth honours and was chosen for the England under-23 squad during his time at the Baseball Ground, but was often kept out of the first team by Colin Boulton and had only 44 senior outings in six years with the club.
After spells on loan at Aston Villa (August 1974) and Walsall (October 1977), Graham was signed by manager Alan Mullery for £20,000 in November 1977 to compete with Eric Steele for the no.1 shirt at the Goldstone. Tall and lean, he was considered a better handler with Steele a superior shot-stopper, but both were excellent at their jobs. When Albion rose to join the élite for the first time ever in 1978-79, Graham made seventeen League appearances and followed up with 33 outings in the club’s opening campaign in Division One.
After almost nine eventful years in Sussex, Graham joined Cardiff City on a free transfer in August 1986 where he added 38 League appearances to his tally before his career was cruelly terminated by injuries suffered in a car crash in January 1988. He was granted a benefit match, City v West Ham United at Ninian Park, and Albion’s F.A. Cup final side was re-assembled to meet Spurs at the Goldstone in April 1990 around in support of his testimonial fund, an event which raised £18,000 for the popular former ‘keeper.