Introduced as a signing from Lancaster Town ahead of the 1913/14 season, left-back James Goddard did not feature in a Southern League first-team fixture during his short time with the Grecians.

Switching to West Ham United in exchange for Fred Goodwin on Boxing day 1913, he made a solitary appearance for his new club against Swindon Town on 27 December 1913.

James died in Amounderness, Lancashire in 1968.