John Goddard (footballer)

John Goddard

Personal information
Date of birth	2 June 1993
Place of birth	Sandhurst, England
Height	1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Playing position	Midfielder
Club information
Current team	Woking
Number	11
Youth career
2001–2012	Reading
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps^†	(Gls)^†
2012–2013	Hayes & Yeading United	40	(1)
2013–	Woking	116	(25)
National team^‡
2016–	England C	1	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 19:42, 30 April 2016 (UTC). † Appearances (goals) ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 18:44, 4 March 2016 (UTC)

John Goddard (born 2 June 1993) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Woking.

Club career

Early career

Goddard joined Reading at the age of eight in 2001.^[1] After failing to progress through the ranks at the Berkshire side, Goddard was released on 30 June 2012.^[2]

Upon his contract expiry from Reading, Goddard joined Hayes & Yeading United on a one-year deal.^[3] After impressing in his first season with Hayes & Yeading United, Goddard attracted interest from many Conference Premier sides.

Woking

On 1 September 2013, after numerous trials Goddard joined Conference Premier side Woking.^[4] On 17 September 2013, Goddard made his Woking debut in a 2–0 victory over Hyde United, replacing Gavin Williams with eight minutes remaining.^[5] On 15 February 2014, Goddard scored his first Woking goal in a 2–0 victory over Gateshead, scoring in the 70th minute.^[6]

Goddard scored his first goals of the 2015/16 campaign with a brace against Bromley on Tuesday 11th August 2015, the second game of the season. He continued his good form throughout the season with goals against Chester, Welling United and Forest Green Rovers preceding a brace against Guiseley on Thursday 10th September 2015. By the end of September, he had scored 5 goals from a midfield position, drawing many admirers with his numerous man of the match performances.^[7]

His performances up until Christmas 2015, coupled with his 12 Goals in 26 games, led to speculation that Goddard would leave Woking during the January transfer window, However, this was not the case; he continued his good form throughout the season, despite Woking's poor form. On 30 April 2016, Goddard was awarded Woking's player of the season after netting twenty times in all competitions (including Surrey Senior Cup).^[8]

International career

On 4 March 2016, Goddard received his first call-up for the England C squad by Paul Fairclough, ahead of a fixture against Ukraine on 22 March 2016.^[9] On 22 March 2016, Goddard made his England C in a 2-0 win over Ukraine, in which he played the full 90 minutes.^[10]

Career statistics

As of match played 30 April 2016.

Club	Season	League			FA Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Hayes & Yeading United	2012–13	Conference South	40	1	1	0	—		1[lower-alpha 1]	1	42	2
Woking	2013–14	Conference Premier	34	3	1	0	—		1[lower-alpha 1]	0	36	3
	2014–15	Conference Premier	41	5	2	0	—		3[lower-alpha 1]	2	46	7
	2015–16	National League	41	17	1	0	—		4[lower-alpha 1]	0	46	17
Total			116	25	4	0	0	0	8	2	128	27
Career total			156	26	5	0	0	0	9	3	170	29

1. Appearance(s) in FA Trophy

References

1. "Former Reading player uses YouTube to market himself". Get Reading. 10 May 2012.
2. "Griffin Heads Reading Departures". Sporting Life. 19 May 2012.
3. "John Goddard". Sky Sports.
4. "John Goddard (Woking)". Woking F.C. 1 September 2013.
5. "Hyde 0 - 2 Woking". Woking F.C. 18 September 2013.
6. "Gateshead vs. Woking". Soccerway. 15 February 2014.
7. "J. Goddard". Soccerway.
8. "The Woking Football Club Player of the Season is @johnnygoddard01!". Woking F.C. 30 April 2016.
9. "Grimsby Town NEWS: Mariners duo receive England C call-up". Grimsby Telegraph. 4 March 2016.
10. "England C see off Ukraine U20s in ICT opener". TheNon-LeaguePaper. 22 March 2016.