Archie Goodall Headstone - Derby

Hello, my name is Kalwinder Singh Dhindsa. I am a local historian who loves sharing stories about my hometown of Derby.

I have created this page in collaboration with the 'Friends of Nottingham Road Cemetery' to raise funds for a new headstone for Archie Goodall at Nottingham Road Cemetery, Derby.

Archibald Lee Goodall (3 January 1865 – 29 November 1929) was an Irish footballer who made 429 appearances in the Football League for Preston North End, Aston Villa, Derby County, Glossop and Wolverhampton Wanderers. He also won 10 caps at full international level for Ireland.

As a youth, he played for several clubs in the North-West of England, including Everton.

Archie made 424 appearances and scored 52 goals (Football League & FA Cup) for Derby County playing in the centre half and forward positions. He also served as club captain and established a club record for consecutive league appearances. Archie was employed regularly as a centre half and made great use of the shoulder charge. His stamina and shear physical presence also made him very effective in this position.

In 1888 he joined his brother, John Goodall at Preston North End. Archie, playing at inside – forward, made his League debut on 15 September 1888, at Dudley Road, the then home of Wolverhampton Wanderers. Preston North End defeated the home team 4 – 0 and Archie Goodall scored the third of Preston North End's four goals. Archie was as rumbustious, as his brother John was gentle and he only stayed at Preston North End until 30 September 1888.

Archie Goodall appeared in two of the four League matches played by Preston North End (Old Invincibles) in September 1888 and he scored one League goal.

During his career Archie also set three age records. He was the oldest player to score an international goal during the 19th century, the oldest player to score for Ireland and is the oldest player ever to play for Wolves.

His older brother, John Goodall , was also a notable footballer and played for Preston North End, Derby County and England. Despite having Scottish parents and being raised in Kilmarnock, the Goodall brothers were ineligible to play for Scotland because of their birthplaces. As a result, they played for their countries of birth and thus became the first brothers in world football to play for different national teams.

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After retiring as a player, Archie travelled Europe and the United States as part of a music hall strongman act, which featured him "walking around a metal hoop" that he had built in a shed at his Wolfa Street home in Derby. He could raise 150lbs with one hand and 184lbs overhead with two.

He finally settled in Finchley, London, where he lived out his remaining years.

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GOODALL by Kalwinder Singh Dhindsa.

John and Archie, chalk and cheese.

On the ball they aimed to please.

Played the game; answered the call.

For England and Ireland; played football.

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The video below gives some more information about the location of Archie Goodall's grave at Nottingham Road Cemetery.

(Recorded during the Covid Lockdown - 03/08/2020)

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This tribute is important to me because in my opinion Archie Goodall like his brother, John, is a significant early pioneer of English Football. He also deserves to be acknowledged for his great contribution during the formative years of the game. It saddens me that he is not remembered with a headstone alongside his wife, Mary Ann who rests with him.

(Steve Bloomer and Dan Allsopp are also buried in the same cemetery)

In life Archie may have been known as a colourful and sometimes controversial character, but in death I feel it's only right that his descendants are allowed to remember him just as John Goodall is now at Vicarage Road Cemetery. No longer buried in an unmarked grave.

John Goodall’s Gravestone

It is my hope that all football fans can come together as one to donate towards a new headstone for Archie - The Football Pioneer.

* On 1 October 1888 Archie Goodall signed for Aston Villa. This move from Preston North End was the first transfer during a season to be approved by the Football League.

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A quote from a local memorial stone mason has been agreed upon and a headstone design has been approved by members of the Goodall family.

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Special Thanks to the 'Friends of Nottingham Road Cemetery' and G Horobin Memorial Masons who are supporting this campaign.

As well as all the football fans who assisted in the investigation to find Archie Goodall's grave location.

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Derby County FC Team 1895

Methven, A. Staley, Leiper,

Clark (Sec), Cox, A. Goodall, Robinson, Kinsey, J. Staley,

J. Goodall (C), Paul, Miller, Stevenson, McQueen,

Bloomer, McMillan.