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After a miserable stay at Millwall, a free transfer to Ipswich in
January 1991 reunited Paul Goddard with his former West Ham manager,
John Lyall. He came off the bench to make his Ipswich debut -
coincidentally against Millwall - on 2 February 1991, but could do
little to prevent a 3-0 home defeat. He marked his full debut, though,
with both goals in a 2-0 win over Hull.
His prolific goalscoring days
were behind him by the time he arrived at Portman Road, but his
experience was to prove invaluable. He certainly brought the best out of
the previously shot-shy Chris Kiwomya, who finished the 1990/91 season
with a goalscoring flourish. Goddard began 1991/92 as impressively as
the team, his three goals in four games putting Ipswich on top of the
Second Division. Injury was to keep him out for the best part of four
months, however, and with Ipswich maintaining their promotion challenge
in the meantime, he struggled to reclaim his place on his return to
fitness.
But when a recall did arrive, he helped the team record five
consecutive victories that effectively secured promotion to the Premier
League. A regular in the team during Ipswich's successful first few
months back in the top flight, he was less involved following the
arrival of Bontcho Guentchev. Town's form rather fell away at this time
and a memorable display from Goddard in the FA Cup against Grimsby
suggested he should perhaps have been more involved.
His playing career
ended during 1993/94, when the signing of Ian Marshall further limited
his opportunities. His final appearance came as substitute in a 1-0 win
at Southampton, but he remained at the club for several more years,
first as joint first-team coach with John Wark, then as a successful
youth-team coach under George Burley. (Csaba Abrahall)
1977–1980 Queens Park Rangers 70 (23)
1980–1986 West Ham United 170 (54)
1986–1988 Newcastle United 61 (19)
1988–1989 Derby County 49 (15)
1989–1991 Millwall 20 (1)
1991–1994 Ipswich Town 72 (13)
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