Bill Goodridge  1947-2023

Andrew “Bill” Goodridge, that larger than life, unforgettable man and unforgettable hockey goalkeeper died on 31 January 2023. He had a stroke whilst doing farmwork on his tractor in July 2022. Despite initial loss of speech and movement and a long spell in hospital, with huge support from Catherine he was making a determined recovery. But in December further illness brought him back to hospital, with serious complications which Bill fought valiantly to the end.

Bill was one of those men who had a finger in a lot of pies, who gave time, effort, experience, advice, encouragement, and so much else to lots of ideas, organisations and clubs and individuals.

Bill`s hockey career started with keeping goal for Dawlish HC (Teignmouth) in the early 1960s. In those far-off days you had to be without fear and more than a little crazy to stand in goal, protected only by a box, cricket pads, wicket-keepers gloves and some padded covers over studded leather football boots. He then played for a number of years for Torbay, at that time the leading club in Devon until he joined Isca in 1974.

At Isca Bill was one of a remarkable squad of players who would stay together for nearly 40 years, with national success at the start, winning the England Inter-League Club Championship in 1979, through to the  England o50s cup in 2001, 02 and 05. Bill was the keeper throughout, and led the way by winning the penalty stroke deciders in two of those finals.

The period 1977/78 – 1986/87 was labelled by Bill the “Decade of Dominance” as Isca headed the West Premier League for the first 10 years of league hockey before moving into the top flight of the new national league. In those ten years Isca scored an average of 30 goals per season, while Bill in goal conceded a miserly average of less than 7 per season (and of course none of them were due to any error of his!).

During his 48 years with Isca Bill moved down through the teams finally playing for the 7th team and always displaying his competitive spirit, lightning reactions and speed around the circle. He was pleased to be promoted back to a higher team  when called upon and always impressed on those occasions. He took great pride in helping and encouraging younger generations of players and especially the goalkeepers.

The club roles which Bill took on at various times included groundsman, annual draw organiser, team captain, indoor captain, fixture secretary, match secretary, joint club rep, umpire and umpires co-ordinator and any other responsibilities which he found were not being adequately covered. But even that list only hints at the extent of Bill`s contribution to Isca. He led by example, and inspired others to achieve results by a team effort. Such achievements included the drainage and improvement of the grass pitches at the County Ground and on the social side events such as the “30 Years On” festival in 2007 and the Centenary Celebrations in 2013. When Isca moved from its home at the County Ground Bill took charge of the club`s archive and memorabilia and has preserved it in his hockey museum. Older players will remember the memorable “teas” which Bill and Catherine hosted at South Duryard Farm after England LX v Isca or West Country/Gatfers teams.

Isca owes Bill a great debt. There is no doubt that his contribution helped to establish the foundations for Isca to become one of the top clubs in the West and the large and successful club it is today.

In the earlier days of touring hockey clubs Bill was also a regular player for Devon Dumplings, notably in their progress to the final of the World Cup Veterans Tournament against Barcelona in 1986.

Bill really flourished internationally in the past 20 years or so with England Masters and Grand Masters teams up to the o75s. In one dining room window of his farmhouse hang 6 or 7 of just some of his gold medals and in the other 9 or 10 silver and bronze ones from World and European cups and other international tournaments. In the 2018 o70 World Cup Final England defeated Australia 2-0 in the penalty shoot-out after Bill had stopped all four of the opposition`s attempts.

As with Isca, Bill`s contribution to England Masters Hockey was not limited to playing. He took an active role in the politics and administration of the sport, serving as West rep on the England LX HC committee and did much to encourage and develop masters hockey in the region, including Isca/LX events at Dawlish which always concluded with celebrations at the Langstone Cliff Hotel.

In committee and in contact with authority Bill could often be relied upon to  present a controversial view and if necessary question the status quo. Such interventions did not always meet with approval, but served the valuable purpose of challenging complacency and ensuring proper debate of the issues which he saw as important.  

Bill was noted for a sense of humour which was ever present, and above all for his great energy, generosity and welcoming nature. His imagination, drive, planning and attention to detail have been an inspiration to all. Isca and the wider hockey world have lost an outstanding servant, friend and team mate.