Jim Goodwin

This article is about the Irish footballer. For the baseball player, see Jim Goodwin (baseball).

Jim Goodwin

Goodwin playing for St. Mirren
Personal information
Full name	James Michael Goodwin
Date of birth	(1981-11-20) 20 November 1981
Place of birth	Waterford, Ireland
Height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Position(s)	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	St. Mirren
Number	6
Youth career
1997–2000	Celtic
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2000–2002	Celtic	1	(0)
2002–2005	Stockport County	103	(7)
2005–2008	Scunthorpe United	84	(6)
2008–2010	Huddersfield Town	42	(1)
2010	→ Oldham Athletic (loan)	8	(0)
2010-2011	Hamilton Academical	14	(0)
2011–	St. Mirren	62	(2)
International career‡
0000–1998	Republic of Ireland U16	?	(?)
?	Republic of Ireland U21	?	(?)
2002	Republic of Ireland	1	(0)
2007	Republic of Ireland B	1	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 8 December 2012 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 30 August 2009

James Michael "Jim" Goodwin (born 20 November 1981) is an Irish footballer who plays for Scottish Premier League side St. Mirren.

Club career

Early career

Born in Tramore, he began his professional career with Scottish club Celtic where he made one appearance for the club before moving to Stockport County in 2002. Goodwin made his debut for Stockport in their 1-1 draw at home to Queens Park Rangers he made 33 appearances scoring 3 goals during his first season at the club. His first game of the 2003-04 season came in their 1-0 loss away at Wycombe Wanderers his first goal of the season came in Stockport's 2-2 draw at home to Notts County in October 2003. Goodwin made 34 appearances scoring 4 goals throughout the 2003-04 season. Goodwin left Stockport in 2005 after making 103 appearances and scoring seven goals for Stockport between 2002 to 2005.

Scunthorpe United

Goodwin was signed by Scunthorpe United in 2005, were he made 84 appearances scoring 6 goals between 2005 and 2008. His debut and scored his first goal for the club in their 3–1 home defeat to Brentford on the 26 November 2005. He was part of the Scunthorpe side that won League One in the 2006/07 season. Goodwin was released by Scunthorpe on 8 May 2008, along with two other players after Scunthorpe were relegated from the Championship after one season in the division. His last game being the victory at home against Cardiff City, when he was substituted at half-time. He was also named as Scunthorpe player of the year 2007 and won goal of the season 2007.

Huddersfield Town

On 5 June 2008, he signed a three-year deal at Huddersfield Town. He along with five other players made his debut in the 1-1 draw against Stockport County at the Galpharm Stadium on 9 August 2008. On 28 December, he scored his first goal for Huddersfield when he scored to give Town the lead against ex-club Scunthorpe. Huddersfield won 2-0.

After missing the beginning of the 2009–10 season due to a knee operation, he made his first appearances of the season coming on as a 79th minute substitute in a 2-1 home win over Yeovil Town on 29 August 2009. His first start came in the next match a Football League Trophy first round tie at Rotherham United on 1 September, which Town won 2-1. He made his first and only League start for Huddersfield in the 2009-10 season, in a 2-1 loss away at Walsall. Goodwin made seven appearances for the Terriers during the 2009-10 season, before moving on loan to Oldham Athletic until the end of the season. Goodwin was released from his contract on 31 August 2010.

Oldham Athletic loan

On 1 January 2010, he joined fellow League One side Oldham on an emergency month's loan. He made his debut in the 2-1 defeat by Hartlepool United the following day and stayed with the club until the end of the 2009–10 season making eight appearances.

Hamilton Academical

After leaving Huddersfield, he joined Hamilton Academical on 6 September 2010.

St. Mirren

Goodwin signed for St. Mirren after leaving Hamilton in January 2011. He made his debut at St Mirren Park on 8 January, when he started against Peterhead in a Scottish Cup tie. After the release of defender John Potter, Goodwin was appointed captain of the club for the 2011-2012 season.

Goodwin has quickly become a fans' favourite due to his tough tackling, leadership qualities, diving headers and the quality of his long-range shooting. He often switches the play and moves out wide to deliver early crosses to teammate Steven Thompson. He usually sits in front of the back four in the team's 4-3-3 formation as a holding midfielder to allow the other midfielders to get forward, but has played at centre half occasionally.

Goodwin has been set aside for special praise from Buddies manager Danny Lennon for his consistent performances and leadership qualities:

"I always thought he was captain material and he's really grasped that opportunity. He leads by example on the pitch and off it too. You can tell by how well he's playing how much he's enjoying the responsibility. He really cares about the game and is so passionate and eager to learn."

Goodwin netted his first goal for the club against St Johnstone to send St Mirren into the quarter-finals of the Scottish League Cup, rifling a shot into the top corner from the edge of the box in front of the away fans.

The Irishman's second goal for the Paisley club, and second of the 2011-12 season, came in an away league fixture against Motherwell on December 17, 2011. Goodwin scored a "superb strike from 35 yards out" past Well keeper Darren Randolph to level the score at 1-1. Goodwin described the goal as the "best one of my career," and won the Man of the Match award for his strong performance.

Goodwin has become a huge favourite within the St Mirren support for his 'no-nonsense' approach to players, matches and referees. Many fans liken the midfielder to club legend Billy Abercromby, who also enjoyed a similar style.

Goodwin signed a new contract with St. Mirren in January 2012, after Hibernian had expressed interest in signing him. He was shown a yellow card 12 times during the 2011–12 season, which meant that he was suspended for the first two games of the 2012–13 Scottish Premier League season. Goodwin scored yet another goal from distance in a home SPL tie against Hearts, driving the ball past opposing keeper Jamie McDonald from 40 yards with a terrific strike.

International career

Goodwin has represented the Republic of Ireland at international level being capped at Under-16, Under 21, B level and at full international level. Goodwin was at the heart of the defence for the Republic of Ireland Under-16 along with fellow Waterford man John O'Shea, as they won the 1998 UEFA European Under-16 Football Championship in Perth, Scotland.

Goodwin was captain of the Republic of Ireland U-21 before making the step up to full international level, earning one cap for Republic of Ireland national football team coming on as a substitute for Robbie Keane in a match against Finland in Helsinki. Goodwin was also capped by Republic of Ireland B in 2007.

Honours

Republic of Ireland

• UEFA U-17 Championship: 1998

External links

• Jim Goodwin at Soccerbase