Staveley

Forward

Billy Goodwin joined Exeter City at the outbreak of the Great War and, with Southern League football playing on into 1914/15, went on to appear for the club either side of the four-year suspension for hostilities. Arriving from Blackburn Rovers he hit a then-club record 23 goals during his debut season before, having returned to St James’ Park for the 1919/20 season, moving on to Manchester United and then Southend United.

Billy began his career with Blackburn Rovers but did not appear for the club in the Football League before signing for Exeter City in the summer of 1914.

Lining up for his debut against West Ham United, and scoring twice in a 3-1 win, Billy proved to be a great success at St James’ Park and ended his first season as the club’s leading goalscorer with 23 goals in 36 appearances (having scored 15 times in the first 15 games). Marrying Lily Newton of St Thomas in 1916, whilst on leave from serving in the navy, he had good cause to return to the club after the war and in 1919-20 once again topped the scoring charts with 17 goals in 37 appearances.

Billy left Exeter, after asking for a transfer, to sign for Manchester United for a fee of £650 in June 1920 where he netted once in seven league outings. Moving to Southend United in 1922, he was once again successful in front of goal with 32 goals in 84 starts. After sustaining a broken leg in April 1924 against Brighton and Hove Albion Billy finished his career with Dartford. Continuing to live in Southend, where he had a confectionery manufacturing business, he died in July 1951.

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