The Don: My Story by Don Goodman

Don Goodman played for some of English football's best known clubs but never made it to the top tier of the game. A fearless, fast and committed striker, Don was signed by West Brom, Sunderland and Wolves to help them get out of the second tier. But when they did he was on his way. Born in Leeds, he signed for nearby Bradford City and was witness to one of football's worst tragedies. He was injured in May 1985 when Bradford City celebrated promotion. He was on the pitch with the rest of the players when he looked across to Valley Parade's Main Stand and thought there was a pitch invasion. There was but it was because the old wooden stand had caught fire. 56 people died that day. Sitting in the stand were Don's father and brother and it was two hours before he found out that were safe. Don had arranged tickets for an ex-girlfriend and her friend and they were both killed. In all Don had 11 clubs. After finishing with Wolves in 1998 he went to Japan to play for Sanfrecce Hiroshima, returning after just ten games to play for Barnsley (loan), Motherwell, Walsall, Exeter City, Doncaster Rovers (loan) and finally Stafford Rangers. Don had always maintained an interest in the media, doing radio broadcasts and writing as local newspaper column. When the time came to hang up his boots he rapidly became a fixture on Radio 5 Live before switching to Sky Sports.

Author Biography

Born in Leeds, Don Goodman, now a Sky Sports summariser, played for 11 different clubs in a career which started at Bradford City and finished with Stafford Rangers. He also played for West Bromwch Albion, Sunderland and Wolverhampton Wanderers.