The Premier League that we all know, in its most early form, was known as the Football League. Its first season began in 1888, thus making it the oldest league in football history. Preston North End were the first champions in English league football history, and a certain Scottish footballer was instrumental in the historical feat.
That player was John Goodall, who rose to fame as a centre forward for England and for Preston North End. He was the top scorer of the maiden 1888-89 Football League campaign, thus cementing himself in the history books of football.
Let us now look back at his glorious time with Preston North End.
The pre-league era
It took quite the effort from Preston North End representatives to sign John Goodall. The player had been persuaded to join Bolton Wanderers F.C at the time, and was even at the club's headquarters at the time. What followed was an amusing event that went on to change the history of Preston.
Ramsey, one of his teammates from Great Lever, came into the room and said he wanted to speak to him. Upon getting outside, people from Preston North End took Goodall with them in a cab, him to the nearest station and went to Preston via Blackburn. The Preston representatives were able to figure out what happened, but ultimately failed to get back the player. Ultimately, Goodall joined Preston North End in August 1885 at the beginning of the 1885–86 season.
Goodall scored in his debut match with Preston that season on 22nd August 1885, in a 7-0 thrashing of Wednesbury Old Athletic.
It was on 17th August 1887 that he had one of his most extraordinary individual performances, as he scored an astonishing 9 goals in Preston's 16-2 friendly win over Dundee Strathmore. Although Goodall was a forward, he also operated as a half-back for Preston in certain games.
Preston and Goodall were able to reach the FA Cup Final as well on 24th March 1888, but ended up losing 2-1 to West Bromwich Albion.
England's first ever league top scorer
Goodall's league debut for Preston came on 8th September 1888 against Burnley, which ended in a 5-2 win for the former. The Scotland born forward took part in 21 of Preston's 22 League Championship matches that campaign. Preston's front-line were outstanding at scoring goals at the time, evident by the fact that they scored three or more goals on 13 separate occasions.
The Scottish forward was the leader of Preston's attack, as he finished as the 1888-89 season top scorer with 20 goals. His debut league goal came against Wolverhampton Wanderers on 15th September. Goodall also scored two hat-tricks in that season. All those goalscoring feats by him were extremely vital in the end, as Preston became England's first league champions with a total of 40 points by the season's conclusion. Aston Villa were the closest in catching them, as they finished the campaign with 29 points.
Preston North End were also FA Cup winners in the same season, as they defeated Wolves 3-0 in the finals to achieve glory. Goodall took part in all 5 of Preston's FA Cup fixtures that season, and scored 2 goals in the competition.
Legacy
Goodall was the architect behind Preston's magical attack at the time. He was responsible for organising the team's attack, and was a huge part of their development at the time. The Scottish born forward would often instruct certain tactics as well, which would've otherwise not been a part of the side.
Preston's legendary forward bid farewell to them in 1889, the very same year they won the league. He departed to Derby County, leaving Preston with an impressive 56 goals in just 66 appearances.
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