John Goodall - Early Career

Early Career

Goodall was born of Scottish parents in Westminster, London, but became an English international footballer. His brother Archie, who was born in Ireland, was capped for Ireland. As such they became the first brothers in history to play for different countries. When he was a child his parents moved to Kilmarnock, where he first learnt the 'Scottish' passing game playing for Kilmarnock Burns and Kilmarnock Athletic. Then he played for Great Lever in Bolton. He was eventually signed by Preston’s chairman and manager, Major William Sudell who had led the struggle for professionalism (once stating that stopping the inevitability of paid footballers was "like trying to stop Niagara with a three-legged stool") and had gathered a group of Scots together at Preston to form one of strongest sides in the country. Sudell gave The Football League its name and was its first treasurer.