3 Decades and Two Continents
3 Decades and Two Continents
A big thank you to Alan Goad for this interview. If you have not had the chance to read Alan's Player Profile please click the link below.
Alan's playing career has spanned 3 decades and 2 continents with over 450 games played in both England and North America. Playing almost 420 games with one club, Hartlepool United, and ending his career in the infamous NASL playing alongside and against Legends of the Game.
Even after his playing days were done Alan dedicated his spare time to coaching the Whitecaps Youth Teams and amateur soccer teams throughout the lower mainland of British Columbia. It has been an entire life surrounded by the game and you get the sense there is little regret in dedicating his life to the sport.
We contacted Alan and asked a few question that we hope will both entertain you and give you a glimpse of a career of a footballing journeyman.
Interview With Alan:
Funatic Games - What were the three most memorable games you ever played in?
Alan Goad - Manchester City - FA Cup Third Round, Aston Villa – FL Cup Last 16 Replay, Coventry City – FA Cup and of course my Testimonial againsts Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest (European Cup Winning Team)
Funatic Games - Toughest game you ever played in?
Alan Goad - At Watford (Div. 3 – 1968-69) Marked Barry Endean who was the leading goal scorer of all four divisions at the time and we drew 0 - 0
Funatic Games - Back in England the stands are so close to the pitch. What was the strangest thing ever yelled at you during a game?
Alan Goad - "Goad, You Suck!!!"
Funatic Games - Which manager do you wish you had the chance to play for?
Alan Goad - Klopp
Funatic Games - Most memorable half time speech given by one of your managers or coaches?
Alan Goad - We weren’t given many inspirational speeches in those days and the only one I can remember may not be what you are looking for. It was Buzzy Parsons, (Asst. Coach with Whitecaps Indoor Soccer Team 1981-82), when sat down beside me in the dressing room at half time and said you should see the size of the woman’s breasts sitting near me in the stand.
Funatic Games - Best stadium you ever played in?
Alan Goad - Manchester City's City Ground
Funatic Games - Did you ever play Subbuteo growing up?
Alan Goad - Yes, I even simulated an entire season on my own when was a kid. No video games back then.
Funatic Games - What was your preferred number? Why?
Alan Goad - #4, it's my lucky number
Funatic Games - Best Soccer Movie you have ever watched?
Alan Goad - Goal
Funatic Games - Best book about soccer you have ever read?
Alan Goad - Clough's Biography
Funatic Games - What made you come to North America
Alan Goad - A Coaching and Playing opportunity with the Fraser Valley All-Stars and then with the Vancouver Whitecaps
Funatic Games - When you came to North America what were your first impressions?
Alan Goad - The long travel, Astro-Turf, The offside line and the shootout-outs rather than penalties
Funatic Games - Do you watch the MLS? Impressions?
Alan Goad - Not very often. The standard of the skill has improved immensely over the last twenty years especially in respect to defenders. But the game has evolved so much and with hard tackling being taken out of the game it creates a safer environment compared to the old days.
Funatic Games - Who was the best teammate you ever played with?
Alan Goad - Derek Possee
Funatic Games - Who were some of your soccer role models growing up?
Alan Goad - Bobby Charlton, Bobby Moore
Funatic Games - Did you have a nickname when you played?
Alan Goad - Goady or Stoolie
Funatic Games - Funniest moment, on or off the pitch, from your playing days?
Alan Goad - Whitecaps Indoor on a long away trip in Canada. During training players voted on the worst player of the day and he was given the yellow jersey to wear the next day. I made the mistake of bragging that I had never been given the yellow jersey and when we got of off of the plane in Calgary Carl Valentine had somehow managed to get two thirds of the passengers on the plane to take the yellow headrest covers and give me a line of honor as I walked off, cheering and waving the headrest covers. Of course they had taken a secret vote and it was unanimous.
Funatic Games - Who was the biggest prankster that you played or roomed with?
Alan Goad - Carl Valentine
Funatic Games - Was there ever a time you were in awe of another player in a game?
Alan Goad - Charlie Cooke playing indoor for Calgary against us.
Funatic Games - Who was the hardest player you faced?
Alan Goad - Bobby Newton, Huddersfield Town. He later became a teammate at Hartlepool.
Funatic Games - Who was the most talented player you faced?
Alan Goad - Kevin Keegan two weeks before his move to Liverpool from Scunthorpe
Funatic Games - What’s the best advice you were given when you started playing professional?
Alan Goad - My League Debut at Hartlepool. The coach sat beside me and said, “The first chance you get on the halfway line, kick the winger up in the air and he will never come near you again”. It worked and I never saw the winger for the rest of the game but it doesn’t work today because the winger’s kick you back.
Funatic Games - What advice would you give to young players who want to become professional soccer players?
Alan Goad - Take the chance and go for it. Remember you are getting paid for something that others play in their spare time. Always give 100% and people will forgive any mistakes you may make.
Funatic Games - Top 3 goals you ever scored?
Alan Goad - Can only remember one, at home in a local derby against Darlington. It was a header at the near post from a corner and it won us the game.
Funatic Games - Who would you consider the greatest team of all-time
Alan Goad - Arsenal 2003-04
Funatic Games - If you had to assemble and all-time starting eleven of players that you played with what would the team be (It has to include you)?
Alan Goad -
· Bruce Grobbelaar Whitecaps
·
· Bob Lenarduzzi Whitecaps
· Roger Kenyon Whitecaps
· Alan Goad Hartlepool
· Bryan Drysdale Hartlepool
·
· Carl Valentine Whitecaps
· John Mcgovern Hartlepool
· Keith Houchin Hartlepool
· Willy Johnston Whitecaps
·
· Derek Possee Whitecaps
· Bob Newton Hartlepool
Funatic Games - Who is the greatest player of all-time?
Alan Goad - Ronaldo
Once again, A huge thank you to Alan. If you want to know more about Alan's career click the link below.
Thank You For Coming To www.funatic.games
Please Follow Us On Social Media
Contact Us, We'd Love To Hear From You
Click HERE To Learn More About Funatic Games
Click HERE To Learn More About Nova Terra
Click HERE To Learn More About FlicKick Table Soccer