Gregory Goodridge
Encyclopedia
Gregory Ronald St Clair Goodridge (born July 10, 1971 in Barbados
) is a former professional footballer.
He has captained the Barbados
national team and played professionally in the English
Football League.
on February 7, 1994, but due to work permit problems had to wait until the 24 March to complete his signing from Barbados side Lambada F.C. the same team that Torquay United manager Don O'Riordan
would return to a year later to sign Rodney Jack
. O'Riordan was notified about Goodridge and Jack by the Lambada English coach Kevin Millard who later sent other talented players from the Caribbean to O'Riordan during his years as manager in Ireland with Galway United FC and Sligo Rovers FC.
He made his debut as a substitute in the 1–1 draw away to Bury
and soon dislodged Scott Colcombe
from the side, playing eight times that season, scoring once. He became both a regular and a crowd favourite the following year with his runs with the ball and occasional long-range shooting. He moved to Queens Park Rangers
in August 1995 for a fee of £250,000, but struggled to settle at Loftus Road, only appearing in the league as a substitute on seven occasions, scoring once.
In August 1996 he moved to Bristol City
for £50,000 and became a regular in their side. He played a major role in the Robins 1997/98 promotion success, scoring stunning goals in home wins against Preston and Burnley. He lost his place in the 2000–01 season, and joined Cheltenham Town
on loan on the 23 February until the end of the season, when he returned to Ashton Gate
and continued to try to win a place in Danny Wilson's side. In November 2001 he returned to Torquay United on a free transfer, signing a contract until the end of the season, but his second spell at Plainmoor
was less successful than the first and he was released at the end of the season.
Subsequently he returned to Barbados to play for [Ellerton United F.C. and is currently playercoach at [Brittons Hill United F C .Where he have now won the 2009 Premier league.
Barbados
Barbados is an island country in the Lesser Antilles. It is in length and as much as in width, amounting to . It is situated in the western area of the North Atlantic and 100 kilometres east of the Windward Islands and the Caribbean Sea; therein, it is about east of the islands of Saint...
) is a former professional footballer.
He has captained the Barbados
Barbados national football team
The Barbados national football team, nicknamed Bajan Pride, is the national association football team of Barbados and is controlled by the Barbados Football Association. It has never qualified for a major international tournament...
national team and played professionally in the English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
Football League.
Club career
Nicknamed Lalu, Goodridge, a pacy winger, signed an 18 month contract with Torquay UnitedTorquay United F.C.
Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
on February 7, 1994, but due to work permit problems had to wait until the 24 March to complete his signing from Barbados side Lambada F.C. the same team that Torquay United manager Don O'Riordan
Don O'Riordan
Donald Joseph O'Riordan is an Irish former professional footballer and football manager currently in charge of American side FC New York. O'Riordan notably played for Grimsby Town amongst others and has previously been on the coaching staff at Sheffield United, in the role of technical...
would return to a year later to sign Rodney Jack
Rodney Jack
Rodney Jack is a professional football player from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. He is best known for his spells with Torquay United and Crewe Alexandra and also his long-term friendship with singer/songwriter Ash Cherrington...
. O'Riordan was notified about Goodridge and Jack by the Lambada English coach Kevin Millard who later sent other talented players from the Caribbean to O'Riordan during his years as manager in Ireland with Galway United FC and Sligo Rovers FC.
He made his debut as a substitute in the 1–1 draw away to Bury
Bury F.C.
Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the...
and soon dislodged Scott Colcombe
Scott Colcombe
Scott Colcombe is an English former professional footballer.Colcombe began his career as an apprentice with his local side West Bromwich Albion, turning professional in July 1990. He was released without making his league debut at the end of the following season, joining Torquay United in August...
from the side, playing eight times that season, scoring once. He became both a regular and a crowd favourite the following year with his runs with the ball and occasional long-range shooting. He moved to Queens Park Rangers
Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
in August 1995 for a fee of £250,000, but struggled to settle at Loftus Road, only appearing in the league as a substitute on seven occasions, scoring once.
In August 1996 he moved to Bristol City
Bristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
for £50,000 and became a regular in their side. He played a major role in the Robins 1997/98 promotion success, scoring stunning goals in home wins against Preston and Burnley. He lost his place in the 2000–01 season, and joined Cheltenham Town
Cheltenham Town F.C.
Cheltenham Town Football Club is an English football club playing in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. Founded in 1887, the team has played at four different grounds, namely Agg-Gardner's Recreation Ground, Carter's Field and now the Abbey Business Stadium, although it is more...
on loan on the 23 February until the end of the season, when he returned to Ashton Gate
Ashton Gate
Ashton Gate Stadium is a stadium in Ashton Gate, Bristol, England, and is the home of Bristol City F.C. Located in the south-west of the city, just south of the River Avon, it has an all-seated capacity of 21,497, with an effective capacity for football matches of around 19,500, with an average...
and continued to try to win a place in Danny Wilson's side. In November 2001 he returned to Torquay United on a free transfer, signing a contract until the end of the season, but his second spell at Plainmoor
Plainmoor
Plainmoor is a suburb of Torquay, Devon, but is best known as the name of the stadium in which Torquay United Football Club currently play.-History:...
was less successful than the first and he was released at the end of the season.
Subsequently he returned to Barbados to play for [Ellerton United F.C. and is currently playercoach at [Brittons Hill United F C .Where he have now won the 2009 Premier league.