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Don GoodmanDon Goodman

Former Bradford City, Sunderland and Wolverhampton Wanderers Footballer.

 

Don began his career at Bradford City and his debut season saw the club win the Division Three championship.

In 1987 after almost three seasons with the Bantams, he moved to fellow Division Two club West Bromwich Albion. . He scored his highest club tally here, notching 60 league goals over the next four years. However, his goals could not stop the club slumping to the third tier in 1991, for the first time in their history.

Goodman did not have to spend long in the third flight though, as he joined Sunderland in December 1991 for £900,000. He spent three years at Roker Park, during which time the club did no better than mid-table in Division Two. They did surprisingly though reach the 1992 FA Cup Final, but Don could not play because he was cup-tied having played for West Bromwich Albion in an earlier round of the competition.

His hopes of top league football were nearly realised at his next club, Wolverhampton Wanderers, whom he joined in December 1994 for £1.1million. He reached the play-offs twice in three seasons, but the club fell at the semi-final stage in both. His final season at Wolves in 1997–98 saw him score the winning goal against Leeds United to take the team to the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time in 17 years. His time at Wolves saw him hampered by several injuries, most notably a fractured skull. After failing to reach the play-offs, he was given a free transfer as part of a player clear out by manager Mark McGhee in May 1998.

The striker then made the bold move of heading to Japan, joining Sanfrecce Hiroshima. This proved a short term venture though, as he was quickly loaned back to Britain, to both Barnsley and Motherwell.

His stay at Motherwell was made permanent in summer 1999 and he spent almost two seasons in the Scottish Premier League.

He was given a free transfer back to the West Midlands in March 2001 when he joined Division Three club Walsall. He only managed three goals in his 25 games, but one goal was a vital equaliser in the play-off final victory over Reading that won the club promotion to the second tier.

After a further season at Walsall, he moved to Exeter City, but ended up finishing the 2002–03 season on loan at Conference side Doncaster Rovers. He then ended his playing career with a season at non-league Stafford Rangers before announcing his retirement.

He now works in the media and television including being a regular contributor for Sky Sports.

He is also a first class after dinner speaker and has become a popular figure on the circuit with his friendly and easy going personality.

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