Gosney was born in
Southampton,
Hampshire, and began his football career as an apprentice with
Portsmouth in 1979. He turned professional in November 1981, but never established himself as first choice for the club because of the consistency of
Alan Knight. Over a 13-year career with the club Gosney made only 60 first-team appearances in all competitions. He spent a month on loan at
York City in 1991 before eventually leaving Portsmouth to join
Birmingham City at the start of the
1992–93 season. Gosney moved in the opposite direction. He was stretchered off during his only appearance for Exeter, a 6–4 home defeat to
Reading, with an injury that ended his career. Gosney was credited by Anderton himself as the man who gave
Darren Anderton the "Sicknote" nickname. ==References==