Arthur Goddard
Outside Right Winger (1902-1914)
Date of Birth: 1876
Birthplace: Heaton Norris, Stockport
Debut : 8th March 1902 v Wolverhampton Wanderers (A) Football League Division One: Lost 1-3
1st team games: 415
1st team goals: 80
Other clubs: Stockport County, Glossop North End, Cardiff City
A reliable, consistent performer Goddard was a fast, long-serving right winger in the opening years of the 20th Century. Born at Heaton Norris near Stockport he played junior football before joining his local club Stockport County and then Glossop North End prior to signing for Liverpool in 1901-02.
He was a regular for 12 seasons and captained Liverpool, a responsibility which was uncommon for a winger. Such was Goddard's dependability that in his first nine seasons at Anfield he missed only 25 of Liverpool's 330 League games, a period in which he made 23 successive FA Cup appearances.
His pace and skill on the flank earned him three representative appearances for the Football League and his smooth, flowing style prompted supporters to dub him "Graceful Arthur". Goddard won Second and First Division championship medals in consecutive seasons in 1904-05 and 1905-06 and made a total of 415 League and Cup appearances for Liverpool, scoring 80 goals.
His tremendous service to the club was recognised with a testimonial match in 1914 which raised the then substantial sum of £250, helping to set him up in business on Merseyside when he retired from the game following a period with Cardiff City.
Honours with Liverpool: First Division Championship 1905/06, Second Division Championship 1904/05
Arthur Goddard