Goddard for Ayr United?

[J.S.Norway]

Did Arthur Goddard play for Ayr United during WW1? If so, when and how many games and goals? Somebody says Nov. 1917, but I believe it can be wrong.

[ScottishFA]

There is no mention of him in the Ayr United history, but there were several trialists who played under an assumed name that season so it is possible he was one of them.

[J.S.Norway]

Thank you!! Goddard was 39 years old in 1917. He played for Liverpool and West Ham in 1917/18 season. Barnsley and South Liverpool in 1918/19.

[J.S.Norway]

I just found that Liverpool give Ayr United permission to play Arthur Goddard in Nov. 1917.

[Alan Brown]

No mention of Goddard in any of the ayr united line-ups from my world war one book in seasons 1916/17, 17/18 or 18/19. As Andy says though, there were a few trialists in those seasons.

[ScottishFA]

Daily Record, Monday 26 November 1917: 'It was freely rumoured in Ayr that Bert Freeman (Burnley) and Goddard (Liverpool) would strip for United against Kilmarnock. Both are presently stationed in Ayrshire.'

However, the match report makes no mention of either of them. Ayr United did have a forward dubbed "Thomson" but there are references to 'his best days at Parkhead and Ibrox' so it is clearly someone else.

No other mention of either Freeman or Goddard that I can see.

[J.S.Norway]

Thank you!!