Ian Goodison
Encyclopedia
Ian De Souza Goodison is a football defender
from Jamaica
. He has been playing for Tranmere Rovers since 2004 and has amassed more than 300 appearances for the club.
, when he was signed along with fellow countryman and good friend Theo Whitmore
by Brian Little. The Jamaican impressed during his time at Hull, epitomised by the fact that he was their Player of the Season for the 2000–01 season (his first in English football). Despite his impressive start Little's departure as manager was followed by that of Goodison who returned to Jamaica to play for Seba United
.
from Seba United on a short term deal midway through the 2003–04
campaign (February 2004) for his second spell in English football, again working alongside his former Hull boss Brian Little
. During Little's reign he spent most his time out of position at left back, but after an injury to former Tranmere captain Michael Jackson
(recently released from Blackpool), Goodison played centreback for the last few games of the 2005–06
season where he impressed with a series of man-of-the-match performances.
After Little's departure at the end of the 2005–06 season, Goodison briefly left the club when his contract was not renewed, before being re-signed by then manager Ronnie Moore
. Since then he has become possibly the most important player in the team – without him Tranmere struggle to win. Under Moore he was made club captain (a role he played for Jamaica in the 1998 FIFA World Cup
in France
, where he led them to their first ever World Cup victory over Japan
), won player of the year in the 2006–07
season and 2007–08
season, been named best player in the Northwest three years running (2006–09) and earned himself a new two-and-a-half year contract in November 2006. He is regarded by many fans as one of Tranmere's greatest ever defenders. He recently signed a new 2 year contract with the club which will run out in 2012.
Goodison was to make the next season his most prolific for goalscoring yet at Tranmere, netting 3 times including one at Stockport on the final day to ensure survival in dramatic circumstances.
The following season Goodison once again impressed at the heart of the Tranmere defence and again claimed League 1 North-West League 1 player of the year. He scored a career best of 6 goals in the 2010/11 season.
in a March 1996 friendly match against Guatemala
and immediately scored his first international goal. As of November 2008 he has collected a country all-time record of 113 caps and scored nine goals. Forty-five of those games were in World Cup qualification and in the 1998 Hull City
tournament. Goodison was included in the 23-man squad named by "Reggae Boyz" boss Theo Whitmore for the 2011 Gold Cup in the USA. If played it would be Goodison's first international appearance since November 2008.
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
from Jamaica
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
. He has been playing for Tranmere Rovers since 2004 and has amassed more than 300 appearances for the club.
Hull City
Nicknamed 'Pepe', the big Jamaican made his first foray into English football via then Third Division side Hull CityHull City A.F.C.
Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
, when he was signed along with fellow countryman and good friend Theo Whitmore
Theodore Whitmore
Theodore Whitmore is a football midfielder from Jamaica. He is currently manager for the Jamaica national football team.- Club career :...
by Brian Little. The Jamaican impressed during his time at Hull, epitomised by the fact that he was their Player of the Season for the 2000–01 season (his first in English football). Despite his impressive start Little's departure as manager was followed by that of Goodison who returned to Jamaica to play for Seba United
Seba United F.C.
Montego Bay United Football Club is a Jamaican football club based in Montego Bay, which played in the Western Confederation Super League, when they were relegated from the Digicel Premier League for the first time in their storied history in season 2007-2008 having placed 11th. On June 1, 2011,...
.
Tranmere Rovers
He wasn't out of English football long though, and Goodison joined Tranmere RoversTranmere Rovers F.C.
Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system...
from Seba United on a short term deal midway through the 2003–04
2003-04 in English football
The 2003-04 season was the 124th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:Arsenal completed the entire campaign without losing a single league game....
campaign (February 2004) for his second spell in English football, again working alongside his former Hull boss Brian Little
Brian Little (footballer)
Brian Little is an English former football player and manager who is currently without a job after being relieved of his duties as manager of Gainsborough Trinity on 22 August 2011. Little has previously managed Darlington, Leicester City, Aston Villa, Stoke City, West Bromwich Albion, Hull City,...
. During Little's reign he spent most his time out of position at left back, but after an injury to former Tranmere captain Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson (footballer)
Michael James Jackson is a retired English professional football defender.-Career:Jackson started his career as a trainee at Crewe Alexandra in 1992. During his development at Crewe, Jackson went on to play for his home town club Runcorn FC, during a loan spell and played several key games for...
(recently released from Blackpool), Goodison played centreback for the last few games of the 2005–06
2005-06 in English football
The 2005–06 season was the 126th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*The rebuilt Wembley Stadium was due to open in time for the FA Cup final in May. However, in August 2005, The Football Association reserved the Millennium Stadium as a backup, as there was some doubt whether...
season where he impressed with a series of man-of-the-match performances.
After Little's departure at the end of the 2005–06 season, Goodison briefly left the club when his contract was not renewed, before being re-signed by then manager Ronnie Moore
Ronnie Moore
Ronald David "Ronnie" Moore is an English football manager and former player. He is considered one of the greatest Rotherham United players of all time, and is also considered the best manager Rotherham United have ever had, becoming a club legend. and went on to manage the Millers for seven years...
. Since then he has become possibly the most important player in the team – without him Tranmere struggle to win. Under Moore he was made club captain (a role he played for Jamaica in the 1998 FIFA World Cup
1998 FIFA World Cup
The 1998 FIFA World Cup, the 16th FIFA World Cup, was held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. France was chosen as host nation by FIFA on 2 July 1992. The tournament was won by France, who beat Brazil 3-0 in the final...
in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, where he led them to their first ever World Cup victory over Japan
Japan national football team
The Japan national football team represents Japan in association football and is operated by the Japan Football Association, the governing body for association football in Japan...
), won player of the year in the 2006–07
2006-07 in English football
The 2006–07 season was the 127th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* The number of divisions at Level 8 of the English football league system increased from four to five...
season and 2007–08
2007-08 in English football
The 2007–08 season was the 128th season of competitive football in England.-European competitions:In October 2007 Arsenal equalled the UEFA Champions League record victory with a 7–0 win over Slavia Prague at the Emirates Stadium. The record was broken the following month when Liverpool...
season, been named best player in the Northwest three years running (2006–09) and earned himself a new two-and-a-half year contract in November 2006. He is regarded by many fans as one of Tranmere's greatest ever defenders. He recently signed a new 2 year contract with the club which will run out in 2012.
Goodison was to make the next season his most prolific for goalscoring yet at Tranmere, netting 3 times including one at Stockport on the final day to ensure survival in dramatic circumstances.
The following season Goodison once again impressed at the heart of the Tranmere defence and again claimed League 1 North-West League 1 player of the year. He scored a career best of 6 goals in the 2010/11 season.
International career
He made his debut for the Jamaica national football teamJamaica national football team
The Jamaica national football team is the national team of Jamaica and is controlled by the Jamaica Football Federation. After decades in CONCACAF obscurity, they gained many fans throughout the world after they qualified for the 1998 FIFA World Cup...
in a March 1996 friendly match against Guatemala
Guatemala national football team
The Guatemala national football team is the association football team representing the country of Guatemala and is controlled by the Federación Nacional de Fútbol de Guatemala. Founded in 1919, it affiliated to FIFA in 1946, and it is a member of CONCACAF....
and immediately scored his first international goal. As of November 2008 he has collected a country all-time record of 113 caps and scored nine goals. Forty-five of those games were in World Cup qualification and in the 1998 Hull City
Hull City A.F.C.
Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
tournament. Goodison was included in the 23-man squad named by "Reggae Boyz" boss Theo Whitmore for the 2011 Gold Cup in the USA. If played it would be Goodison's first international appearance since November 2008.
Personal life
His girlfriend gave birth to their first child in November 2008, a boy named Lesvaldo.External links
- Player profile – Tranmere Rovers
- Player profile – ReggaeBoyz
- Player profile – ReggaeBoyz Supporters Club
- Ian Goodison & Theo Whitmore – Hull City
- Career stats – National Football Teams