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. After one unsuccessful season with Birmingham, at the end of which the club brought in Kevin Miller from Exeter City to replace him,Matthews, p. 111. 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.
