Ray Goddard

Football player infobox
playername = Ray Goddard


fullname = Raymond Goddard
height =
dateofbirth = birth date|1949|2|13|df=y
cityofbirth = Fulham
countryofbirth = England
dateofdeath = death date and age|2007|12|11|1949|2|13|df=y
cityofdeath =
countryofdeath = Spain
position = Goalkeeper
youthyears =
youthclubs = Fulham
years = 1967-1974
1974-1978
1978-1981
clubs = Leyton Orient
Millwall
Wimbledon
caps(goals) = 278 (0)
080 (0)
119 (1)

Raymond "Ray" Goddard (13 February 1949 − 11 December 2007) was an English football goalkeeper who played for three London clubs between 1967 and 1981. Goddard began his career as a member of Fulham's youth team, but was released without being offered a professional contract. He subsequently joined Orient, where he spent eight seasons. In 1967 the entire Orient squad was transfer-listed to ease the financial plight of the club, with the exception of Goddard. He was a member of the Orient side that won the Third Division title in 1969-70, and narrowly missed out on promotion to the top flight in 1974. In total, he played 278 league games for the O's. [ [http://www.leytonorient.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10439~1188983,00.html Ray Goddard] , "Leyton Orient official site" 12 December 2007. Retrieved 15 February 2008] He unluckily lost his place to the newly signed John Jackson in October 1973 but returned to the first team after an injured Jackson made costly errors in the O's failed promotion campaign of '73-'74. He suffered a strained relationship with manager George Petchey after first learning of his demotion at Jackson's expense on the team bus.

In November 1974, Goddard joined Millwall, but Petchey became the Lions' boss and after their past history, Goddard's days were obviously numbered. In February 1978 he joined Wimbledon who had only recently been elected to the league. He spent four seasons at Wimbledon and was part of the team that won promotion to the Third Division in 1979, relegated back to the Fourth Division the following year, and then promoted back again in 1981. In his final match for the Dons, Goddard scored from the penalty spot in Wimbledon's 4-2 defeat against Bury.

After leaving Wimbledon, Goddard finished his career at non-league Wealdstone. After his retirement from football, Goddard moved to Spain where he ran a bar. He died from a stroke in December 2007, aged 58. [ [http://www.lastingtribute.co.uk/tribute/goddard/2694336 Tribute to Ray Goddard] "lastingtribute.co.uk". Retrieved 15 February 2008]

References