Felix Goddard: Difference between revisions

Felix Benjamin Goddard (born 9 March 2004) is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for League of Ireland side Dundalk, on loan from EFL Championship side Blackburn Rovers.^[4][5][6]

Goddard was born in Frankfurt, Germany^[1] to British parents and moved to Singapore in 2006 at the age of 2.^[3] He attended Tanglin Trust School.^[7]

Having been in Singapore for seven years, Goddard joined JSSL Singapore aged 9 in 2013 and he reverted from being a defender to goalkeeper, whilst under the guidance of former Singapore international goalkeeper, Rezal Hassan.^[3] In November 2017, 17-year-old Goddard left Singapore for England and signed for Premier League side Manchester City.^[3]

On 9 November 2017, Goddard joined Manchester City and was immediately put into their U-13 side,^[8] After progressing through various age categories at Manchester City; which included appearances for the Under-18's and Under-21's, Goddard was released by the club in the summer of 2020.

On 28 September 2020, after being on a two-week trial for the under-18's side at Blackburn Rovers, Goddard penned a two-year scholarship deal with the club,^[9] and on 25 June 2022, he signed a two-year professional contract with an option of a further year.^[10] On 3 August 2023, over a year after signing his pro deal, Goddard penned a new initial two-year deal with Rovers, which ties him down until the summer of 2025.^[11]

On 10 December 2021, Goddard was loaned out to Northern Premier League Premier Division side Lancaster City on loan until the 18 December; following an injury to fellow Blackburn loanee goalkeeper, Aidan Dowling.^[12] He made his debut for the club a day later during the league game against Basford United; and kept a clean sheet in a 1–0 win for The Dolly Blues at the Giant Axe.^[13] He returned to his parent club, Blackburn at the conclusion of the loan and on 28 January 2022, Goddard returned to Lancaster City on loan; following the departure of Wyll Stanway to a club higher up the league pyramid.^[14] However, he went off injured a day later after suffering a suspected broken collarbone - after being involved in a collision with an attacker and defender; during a 2–1 home win against Radcliffe.^[15][16]

On 2 July 2022, after signing his professional contract at Ewood Park,^[10] Goddard was loaned back to the Northern Premier League Premier Division, as he joined Bamber Bridge on loan for six months.^[17] After being a main stay in between the sticks for Brig, Goddard returned to parent club, Blackburn - after he picked up a knee injury, which ruled him out for two months.^[18] On 9 March 2023, after recovering from the knee injury, Goddard re-joined Bamber Bridge on loan until the end of the season.^[19]

On 3 August 2023, Goddard was loaned out to another Northern Premier League Premier Division side in Marine on a deal until the end of the campaign,^[20][21] on 16 December, after making 17 league appearances for Marine, Goddard was recalled by his parent club, after suffering a meniscus tear in the 1–0 defeat against Morpeth Town four days earlier.^[22][23]

On 11 July 2024, Goddard was loaned out League of Ireland side Dundalk until the end of the campaign,^[4][24][25] and he made his professional league debut a day later; playing the whole 90 minutes as Dundalk beat Drogheda United 4–2 at Oriel Park.^[26][27] Seven days later, Goddard made his professional debut in cup football as Dundalk lost 2–1 against Drogheda United in the Second Round of the FAI Cup; during the game he made an error, by thumbling the ball into his own net following a shot by Drogheda debutant, James Bolger.^[28][29][30]

As of match played 5 September 2024

• Felix Goddard at Soccerway