Godfrey was born in 1939 in London and learned to play bridge whilst in hospital aged 15. he had suffered a broken leg playing rugby at Stowe school and was in traction for three months.
A family friend, one of the very best bridge players at the time, Ralph Swimer, sent him a correspondence course and visited him many times, so that upon his release he certainly knew the rudiments of the game.
Although continuing to play bridge, his main interest was tennis, which he played to a high standard. he then took up golf and played this to an international standard. he became Captain of his golf club in 1991.
Business took up too much time to play competitive bridge, but when he retired in 1995 he started his own bridge club "The King of Trumps". In collaboration with his friend David Price he founded and ran "The Times Midland Bank National Bridge Competition".
He now plays, teaches, and organises bridge competitions.
Godfrey has three grown up children and now lives happily on his own in south London.