15 Facts About Jimmy Goodfellow

James Goodfellow was an English professional footballer and manager.

Jimmy Goodfellow spent his youth with Newcastle United but did not earn a professional contract.

Jimmy Goodfellow entered the Football League with Port Vale in 1966, before transferring to Workington in May 1969.

Jimmy Goodfellow then took up coaching with Newport County, Cardiff City, Plymouth Argyle, and Sunderland.

Jimmy Goodfellow served as Cardiff's manager for six months in 1984 and later worked behind the scenes at the club until his retirement in May 2008.

Jimmy Goodfellow signed for Newcastle United, despite being a Sunderland fan, but was released by the club at the age of 17 without making a first-team appearance.

Jimmy Goodfellow moved into non-League football, signing for Consett, before moving to Northern League side Crook Town in March 1962.

Jimmy Goodfellow became unhappy with the way the team was selected at Crook Town, being chosen by a committee rather than the club's manager, and agreed to join Bishop Auckland when manager Lawrie McMenemy asked him to do so.

Jimmy Goodfellow got the call to move into league football at the age of 23 when he was signed to Jackie Mudie's Port Vale.

Jimmy Goodfellow scored 15 goals in 199 Fourth Division appearances in his time at Borough Park.

Jimmy Goodfellow made just three Fourth Division appearances for Mike Summerbee's "Hatters", before departing Edgeley Park.

Jimmy Goodfellow self-deprecatingly described himself as "a non-running, non-tackling, non-heading midfielder".

Len Ashurst asked Jimmy Goodfellow to join him as his assistant manager at Newport County.

Jimmy Goodfellow would go on to serve the "Bluebirds" with distinction under a series of managers, and in 1998 he was given a testimonial match by the club against Manchester United, with Jimmy Goodfellow himself being brought on in the final few minutes, at the age of 55.

Jimmy Goodfellow retired in May 2008 and died on 22 April 2020 in Newport, aged 76.