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Lancashire lad who was on the fringes of Matt Busby's Manchester
United side until afforded his main chance in the first team as a
result of the Munich disaster. Joined Leeds in 1960 and linked up
with Jack Charlton at the centre of defence. When Norman Hunter
arrived on the scene Goodwin found himself moving to the periphery
of the first team, but an injury to Jack Charlton had let him back
into the side in 1963-64 when his career was ended by a horrific
injury - a triple fracture of the leg picked up in an FA Cup tie
against Cardiff and caused by Elland Road legend John Charles.
He did play at a lower level after recovering, acting as
player-manager at Scunthorpe, managing Brighton and winning
promotion to the First Division while in charge at Birmingham in
1972 (the photo above shows him when he was in charge of the Blues
on a visit to Elland Road). From the mid-1960s to the 1980s he also
spent several periods in the USA in various roles for some of the
attempts to popularise the game over there. Goodwin also had a
summer job for a time - playing first class cricket with his native
Lancashire.
Dennis Rolls says: I always supported Birmingham City until
Freddie took over.When he did his team selection was incredibly bad
and his signings worse. For my own credibility I could not go on
supporting a club that lost all credibility and became a joke
during his time there
anon says: is dennis rolls p***ed freddie took the blues to 2 fa
cup semi finals & promotion to division 1 his front line was
bob latchford !bob hatton!! & trevor francis!!! with gordon
taylor(pfa) & alan campbell on the wing.
Freddie Goodwin says: Your biography on myself was recently
brought to my attention. I was outraged that you would include such
a biased and inaccurate letter from a person claiming to be a
Birmingham City fan. Given the circumstances at that time,I am
proud of my record as Manager of Birmingham City. I was appointed
Manager in the summer of 1970 after the club had nearly been
relegated to the third division and whose home crowds had dropped
to 13,000. In my second season,we were promoted to the First
division,as it was then called and also reached the semi final of
the F.A. cup. In the next three seasons we maintained our First
Division status even though we suffered numerous injuries.We also
appeared in the semi final of the F.A.cup again in 1975. Unlike
today, when teams can take players on loan and also sign foreign
players,it was impossible to strengthen your team by these
means.The average attendance during this time was nearly 30,000 and
transfer transactions IN/OUT of the club showed a surplus. I accept
every fan is entitled to their opinion,however to present a
balanced viewpoint,I request you remove the letter from Dennis
Rolls or include my record at Birmingham as outlined in my
letter.
BlueSka says: I too, am a Birmingham fan and remember the
Freddie Goodwin era with great happiness, Latchford, Hatton &
Francis, I've never seen a better forward line since! Thanks for
the memories Freddie
Dennis Rolls says: sorry if if offended you. I just remember it
as a bad time. You do not mention some of the bad signing you made-
like goalkeepers
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