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Freddie Goodwin
Former Blues manager Freddie Goodwin died on Friday at the age of 82. Goodwin is known best at Birmingham City for giving Trevor Francis his introduction to league football and for his legendary Blues team which centered around the strike force of Francis, Bob Hatton and Bob Latchford.
Goodwin, one of the Busby Babes in his playing days, managed Blues for 269 games between 1970 and 1975, winning promotion from the Second Division in 1972. After Blues Goodwin was the first coach and president of the Minnesota Kicks in the NASL. He retired in the US where he lived with his wife until his death.
I’m going to be honest – it’s difficult for me to write personally about Freddie Goodwin as he left Blues three years before I was born and I don’t have a family background supporting the club to tell me about what a great manager he was. However, I believe it says something that when I heard the news even though I can’t remember him myself it gave me pause for thought as I know many, many Blues fans will remember him.
With Blues playing at home to Bolton tomorrow night I hope that the club arranges for some sort of tribute to Freddie on the big screen, along with a minutes applause. There are few people who I think truly deserve this kind of honour but as someone who is known for the quality of his team even now, 40 years later I think Goodwin more than deserves a moment of our thoughts.
Tags: Freddie Goodwin
75 Responses to “Freddie Goodwin”
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Very true Dan my fondest memories of watching blues was under Freddie
RIP Freddie kro
My first game was 1972 when we got promoted and reached the semi final of the cup only to be beaten by the great dirty Leeds side. The atmosphere at some of the games that season was incredible – the Millwall game and the Quarter final against Huddersfield come to mind. The team was so attack minded and although I idolised Roger Hynd and Gary Pendrey etc. we always leaked goals which stopped us pushing on in the top flight. People creaming off about the current Prem forwards should imagine what Latchford, Francis and Hatton would be worth as a strike force now. Freddie Goodwin was one of the truly great Blues managers – the club have to do something to honour him on Tues. RIP Freddie.
I’ve never been sure whether he was a great manager or someone lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time with that great Blues youth team. On the other hand he signed Bob Hatton and had the bottle to play all the kids, so I give him the benefit of the doubt…..wikipedia says he also played cricket for Lancashire so officially a Great Man.
But he did make some good signings as well as playing the Blues’ youth players – Alan Campbell, Bob Hatton, Gordon Taylor, Roger Hynd, George Smith, Tommy Carroll and Stan Harland all made major contributions to the team’s success in that era. His background as manager of the New York Generals also brought fresh ideas into his management style in England.
R.I.P. nothing but good memories of the team he put together
Sad news indeed. He was and is still the best manager Blues have ever had. I echo the fact that he brought to-gether Francis, Latchford and Hatton. If only we had them now? RIP Freddie. You will not be forgotten. The 1971/72 side that gained promotion was a blessing to behold.
KRO
I would class him as a great manager who got the best out of some of the best players I have seen at Stans. Take a look at some of the pitches they played on and think how good they would have been playing on today’s surfaces. They were good times. RIP
Freddie Goodwin, was the best manager since Arthur Turner, [ 50’s, cup=final team ] ,Ex-Busby Babe.so brought up in a ” footballing ” tradition, Hence his bringing on Francis, Burns, and others.!!.
R-I-P, Freddie, You left our club too soon.
Let down by the board when he was forced to sell Latchford. With Kendall AND Latchford we’d have had a potential league winning side. Great team to watch. Sad loss.
God bless you Freddie and Rip.thankyou for the best times of my life down stans with your brave and attacking team, it was a young,vibrant team with so much heart and so many great players and so close to greatness Kro
We should have gone onto great things with that team but we failed as the board gave no backing to Freddie and that’s why Trev left under Jim smith. We were in touching distance of being there the pain still hurts! Freddie was a good man all round.
Started going down when Freddie Goodwin was manager , a good manager , a good team and good crowds back in them days , not the atmosphere now but let’s hope one day it returns .. A big screen tribute and a muinites applause is a cert tomorrow I would think and trully deserved RIP Mr Goodwin . KRO
You only have to look at our average attendances (around 35,000) , to realise what a great feeling there was around Blues at that time. I have been going to watch Blues since 1962 and can honestly say, this team and Freddie as manager, was my favorite time. RIP big man.
So many happy memories of watching Blues under Freddie Goodwin.
Freddie Goodwin managed the most consistently successful and entertaining Blues side to appear during the fifty-seven years for which I have been a fan. .He had the players to work with, true, but he moulded them superbly, developing Malcom Page from a boo-boy into a crowd hero, Garry Pendrey and Ray Martin into a strong full-back pairing, Roger Hynd and Stan Harland into defensive rocks, and Alan Campbell, George Smith, Page and Gordon Taylor into a formidable engine. Dave Latchford and Paul Cooper kept goal superbly, but the icing on the cake, of course, was our own golden trinity of Bobs Latchford and Hatton, plus the incomparable Trevor. Thanks for the wonderful memories Freddie, RIP.
I have fond memories of Freddie and the team of the early 70’s
Freddie had a great record as Blues’ manager. Promotion to the top flight in his second season. That never to be forgotten night at Orient when Bob Latchford scored the winner to clinch promotion.
Millwall fans invading the pitch to try and get the game abandoned.
Two FA Cup semi-finals, the first in ’72 against a great Leeds team at Hillsborough. The second in ’75 against Fulham at Hillsborough and Maine Road.
If the match at Orient was the high point then without doubt losing to second division Fulham was the low point and sadly Freddie left not long after.
RIP Freddie Goodwin.
I remember him coming and every one saying we would at least start the season with a
Good win
Wonderful team to follow in those days
RIP Freddie
I was at all those all those games you mentioned Richard. What great times they were, all down to Freddie Goodwin’s teams.
R.I.P. Freddie
Hello Badger, I too started my active support at that time. I still remember the game at orient and “chatting” to a Milwall fan behind the goal. What a journey home. My only complaint is that we didn’t get to any finals, the team was certainly good enough. I have watched a few of them on you tube
Freddie was the manager when I first started watching Blues. Nothing but fond memories of the man. RIP.
Campbell, Francis, Latchford, Hatton, Taylor. What a forward line.. would tear the Championship a new one these days.
Staffs…..The queues to get into Brisbane Road started at noon for a 7.45 kick-off.
The Blues’ support of the late sixties and early 70’s was phenomenal, arguably the best in the country.
I fear that level of support has gone forever.
Without doubt the best time of my 59 years supporting the team I love, the team , the atmosphere , averaged 36 k gates in the old First Division, gates over 50k in the old Second Division, away following that will never be bettered even by todays standards, then the team Francis Latchford Hatton Campbell Taylor playing on crap pitches with a ball that was twice the weight of today , they would have murdered the Championship and with a defence won todays Premiership , sadly the loss of the semi -final at Main Road against Fulham when we took 33,000 on away trip still the largest following for a semi-final outside of Wembley and then they were genuine week in week out supporters , was to bring about Freddies downfall, had our board had balls the following season and backed him we would have won a major trophy we were that good, the football was magnificent one way attacking yes we would win 3-0 lose 3-0 but no one cared the cavalier style was amazing, add TF to the mix you never will see the likes again, You had to be at the ground by 2pm most match days so many memories -plus how much would TF Bob Latchford Bob Hatton and Alan Campbell be worth today and when they put on the shirt it meant everything to them- Freddy as a manager was indeed the instigator of the best years I have enjoyed at St. Andrews R.I.P
Amazing to think that Francis, Latchford and Hatton scored 50 out of the 60 league goals that season.
I was also at all of those games mentioned by Richard & Merseypete so right about keeping Bob Latchford & buying Howard Kendall, what a team that could have been. Broke my heart when we sold Latchford
Well said Gerard , cried my eyes up in ’75 coming back from the semi defeat to Fulham when we played them off the park , still hurts today . KRO
Me too, floods of tears. Lucky draw at Hillsborough if i am honest but played them off the park at Maine Road. So many happy memories of that team. And if any of my old teachers are reading this I was not Ill but went to the mid week afternoon cup tie (Plymouth?) when power cuts meant no floodlit matches!!!
That game at Maine Road was the single most disappointing point of my entire life to date. It was a lucky draw at Hillsborough so to lose out at Maine Road after dominating pretty much the whole game was sickening.
I had already seen 2 other semi final defeats by West Brom and Leeds, but to have my Wembley dream shattered by a second division team against what I consider to be Blues all time best team was hard to take.
RIP Freddie
I started going down the Blues towards the end of his stint as manager,great team,big crowds,always a good atmosphere,stood on the old spion Kop,R.I.P Freddie Goodwin,thanks for bringing through the legendary Trevor Francis
A great man.Wonderful days.Ive still got his autograph along with most of that wonderful team.They were glorious days.RIP Freddie and deepest sympathy to your family.
A man whose teams did the talking for him. He always came across as a very quiet thoughtful man who got the best out of his players without the hysteronics employed by others. An era when I it was FUN to watch football, win lose or draw. Freddie fondly remembered.
A few years back I was visiting my in-laws in Minneapolis and I went to buy a jacket from Sachs 5th Avenue dept. store. The Greek guy who served me had been recruited from Panethenaikos to play for the Kicks by Freddie Goodwyn. They had become great friends and were still in weekly contact.
As an aside, we got to talking when he saw my Ajax Amsterdam credit card, he had actually played against Ajax (Cruyff, Rep et al) in the 1971 European Cup final. What was fascinating to me was that he played that game as an amateur !!! I would never have guessed that Amateurs were playing European cup finals as late as 1971.
A footballer who played in a European Cup final against Cryuff, is now working in a department store?
Messi, who will most likely play in this year’s European Cup final, could probably buy the department store.
How times have changed.
Great days. Unbelievable game at Leyton with the Millwall players throwing missiles at us from above. We got in free somehow through a gate that had been vandalised.
Fantastic attacking team not matched by the defence. Francis/Latchford/Hatton probably the best I’ve seen even taking in to account Kinsey/Brown/Murphy-Bloomfield/Harris/Leek-Bridges/Pickering/Vowden etc
When we were promoted bringing in the the likes of Roberts and Want to bolster the defence never worked for me.
Great larger than life character. RIP Freddie
The 70’s are some of my best years of memories at St Andrews, with the new “track suit ” manager, Freddie Goodwin everyone somehow felt energized on the Kop. Latchford, Francis, Taylor, Hynd, Kenny Burns, Jonny Vincent, Malc Page, wonder what price Bob Hatton would command today? Remember the old Taylor/Thompson throw in? Gordon would run down the wing and cut inside just as Bob through the ball into the open space, never seen it since. Huge crowds, always a problem getting in, end of season celebrations on the pitch with Freddie waving from the directors box. Freddie and Bald Eagle probably two of the best managers we ever had.
Best wishes to all of Freddie’s family.
Hockey, Hockey, Hockey, Hi, Hi, Hi.
I moved to Birmingham from London in 1972 at age 11 having followed Spurs. Went to see Spurs play Blues 0-0 in 1972 at St Andrews and was hooked on Blues. The atmosphere made the hairs on your neck stand up. There was nothing like it. Great players like those already mentioned but the strength of the team was in the never say die Hynd, Pendrey, Page and Martin.
At home we were almost unbeatable but not great away
Not sure we would have got Kendall from Everton without Latchford being sold
But if ever there was a point when the club could have made it it was 1972-1975.
So sad to hear the passing of Freddie. That era in our history was magnificent, true you never knew what to expect but what entertainment. I never thought we could ever be first div champions because of our gung ho attitude. Like every manager he made mistakes and the biggest when he refused to play the kids ( who got us there) in the 1975 semi at Hillsborough. The attacking memories of our teams from that period are legendary but the players who came thro the ranks who played behind that forward line were just as talented. Here are a few Kenny Burns, Joe Gallagher, Steve Bryant, Jimmy Calderwood, Paul Hendrie, Gary Emanuel and many more, all given the chance by Freddie. Also in those days we were the top team in Birmingham with a massive support base. I live in hope that one day we can get back to those days and bring back the respect that our City deserve.
Thanks for the memories Freddie. That night at Brisbane Road – never to be forgotten. Great side to watch.
Sadly, its the same old story of a Board of Directors without vision, selling off the players that could have taken us up with the elite, just as they always had. A list that includes Terry Hennessy etc
Little to add to what has already been said, Goodwin assembled a truly great Blues side so young too cant see those days ever returning.
RIP Freddie.
Dan i genuinally feel sorry for fans who never got a taste of that Blues side under Freddie`s guidance.By a country mile it was the most exciting,adventurous team we`ve ever produced. I doubt there`s ever been a more potent front 3 as we had back then. I`ve never enjoyed my football more than when FG was in charge and that why big crowds turned up creating an incredible atmosphere at the ground.In 71/72 our average gate was 32,000 and 52,000 watched us in the FA Cup against Huddersfield.The following year we had 50,000+ against United with an average og 36,000. It is little coincidence that when Fred departed and the team was breaking up the support gradually dipped.
Don’t think we will see those attendances today Bluey even if we had a 60,000 seater stadium , mot until we’re in the premiership and pushing for the champions league anyway but then we still might struggle. KRO
No we`ll never see crowds like that again but more importantly we`ll never get that atmosphere back. Younger fans have missed out on the fervour and noise that was prevalent at every home game.Even if we were struggling the fans got behind the team and i can honestly say i don`t remember a really bad game in that era whether we won, lost or drew.Every now and again i look at games from that era on youtube and i get goosebumps from the nostalgia of it all. Anyway i hope we give Freddie the send off he deserves tonight and i`m going for a 3-1 win. KRO.
I too remember that team as the best attacking side I’ve seen at St Andrews – a bit like a more structured Barry Fry side!!
For me there were two stand-out home league games during that promotion season. Beating Norwich [who topped the division] 4-0 at a buzzing St Andrews and the 1-0 defeat of Millwall. The destroying of Norwich was arguably one of our best ever performances. We also went on the long unbeaten run to clinch the second spot.
The cup-run was also memorable; standing in the Railway End (at the front railings) for the defeats of both Ipswich and Huddersfield who were both in the First Division at the time; I seem to remember my hero Bob Latchford putting one over from about two yards in the game against Ipswich.
Thanks for the memories Freddie.
Interesting that you mention those 2 games because they both stand out in my memory as well.If i remeber rightly the Norwich game was played in wierd weather.I think we had sunshine,sleet,snow and the pitch was really boggy.And the Millwall game didn`t we score in the last minute after battering them for 90 minutes? I also remember that cup run and i was in the Railway End that season just behind the railings and saw close up that chance Bob put over the bar.Funnily enough he scored the winner from a similar position.Great memories.KRO.
Had my first season ticket in 1972, what an FA Cup run great crowds, Freddie Goodwin was one great manager, Just think how much money you would have to pay for
HATTON LATCHFORD FRANCIS
10 09 08
Tribute to Freddie tomorrow night
Dave-thanks it still hurts me to this that semi-final not forgetting I was mugged on the way back by so called Man Utd scum- who tried to tear my wedding ring off- We murdered them that night thje semi final was on the previous Saturday not 10 days later like today-are you listening premier league- we took over 60k fans to those 2 games -Fulham could not sell more than 3k tickets for each game and did not sell there full Wembley allocation ( it was a lot more then ) but even so – the noise we made at both games still the story of our lives as bluenoses some things never change, they made an announcement about the next replay was to be at White Hart Lane on the Monday about 3 mins before Fulham got that lucky winner -90 secs before the end of extra time , I was only thinking how to get the time off work , ticket money etc, so we would had to play a league game on the Saturday before the replay on the Monday followed by another league the Saturday after the replay- no one complained then eat your heart Premier League and Arsene Wenger -footballers then went to work 5 days a week like most people
It was high bury the replay and to be honest Fulham support was ok they had a good 10000 at each
Regular reader. Had to post for 1st time.
Freddie Goodwin = Proper Legend.
As commented yesterday my visit in 1972 to Orient was the terrifying yet majestic game that clinched promotion. Following day at Damson Lane a load of us turned up to congratulate the lads and to watch the training. In those days you could park in the training ground and mingle with the players coming to training and leaving. Freddie was always approachable and would talk with us in the car park willingly. Guy Russell’s father was always there and the bunch of us formed good friendships. Guy didn’t really hit the heights purely due to the Centre Forwards we had in Latchford,Burns,Hatton etc.
My first game was when Freddie was in charge, v Bolton when Francis scored all 4 goals for blues. Sad day indeed, and nice to read Trevor’s comments on the man.
Freddie was the manager as I emigrated to Canada…but I was there to see Trevor Francis make his glorious debut. God rest his soul…
My own memory of Freddie was in his programme notes for the first home game after the semi-final defeat against Fulham in 1975. He wrote that despite losing he’d had many letters of support and he realised what a magnificent set of supporters we were. We still are. And always will be. Rest In Peace, Freddie
Freddie was my first Blues manager. Rest in Peace Freddie thanks for some great memories.
Thank you Freddie for the wonderful memories I have carried with me for the last forty five years. The GREATEST Blues team I have seen.
Remember in the 70’s being really cheesed off because I had missed a home game to go to a family wedding . The reception was at a hotel in Solihull and who should I see there having a drink but Freddie Goodwin . A really nice bloke who told me all about the game. RIP.
I must put this man at the top of all the the managers I have seen down the blues. R.I.P. Freddie
Come on lads some of you must have been the Goodwin out out crowd circa 1975!!! It deafen me as a small schoolboy!!
He believed in babes and delivered Francis hail FREDDIE. GOODWIN….RIP
Interesting that we play Bolton tomorrow – the same team TF scored all four goals against as a 16 year old under Freddie Goodwin.
I lived in Oxford during the Goodwin years and used to drive up with my Dad for games especially the 1971-2 promotion season – Huddersfield in the Cup I remember but also a must win home game v Blackpool possible Easter Tuesday evening? We went a goal down but came back to win 2-1 with TF driving home a superb free kick from some way outside the box – the atmosphere quite extraordinary that night.
I then went to university in Liverpool and got to Anfield in 1972 to watch Blues in their first season back in the 1st Division. My bluenose friend and I were late getting to the ground and dived in the first entrance only to find ourselves on the Liverpool Kop! The far end was a magnificent sight of a sea of blue and white and the home supporters were completely out-sung by the Bluenoses – we went down 4-3 although had a legitimate goal disallowed.
Is my memory right that Freddie put attack before almost anything else? Liverpool were so arrogant in those days and were taken aback that these new upstarts from the Midlands would dare to come to Anfield and attack them – I think we were 1-3 up at one point?
Freddie – thanks for some memorable moments stood on THE Kop with my Dad.
The Liverpool game was match of the season 72/73 . Bobby Hatton scored a perfectly good goal which would have put Blues 4-3 up if it wasn’t incorrectly disallowed – Pool broke and Toshack scored the winner. blues beat them 3-1 at Stans later in the season if my memory serves me right. Heady days indeed and the penguin kit as well!! Freddie Goodwin teams were always exciting and he didn’t have any money to spend either!
I was in that sea of blue against Liverpool at the opposite end to the Kop and we did go 3 – 1 up only to be pegged back to 3 – 3. Blues scored almost right at the end of the game, but the goal was wrongly disallowed and whilst the Blues players were arguing with the ref, Liverpool went down the other end and scored the winner.
I got attacked after the game near the railway station but that was the norm back then. Got saved by some heavies working as cinema bouncers bow ties and all.
Next year or so, Liverpool brought a few thousand fans down to St Andrews, stood on the right side of the Tilton and got completely run out the ground before the game began.
Wasn’t it around that time we beat Man Utd 5 – 1 at home as well, with running battles all game long in the spion kop?
Singapore – it was 3-1 against Manure at Stans later that season with over 50,000 in the ground. In 1979 we stuffed them 5-1 when we were bottom of the league but still got relegated ( I watched that entire game as a 15 yr old sitting on the wall of the toilet at the back of the Kop – great game, terrible stench )
You are correct Dorridge – over 51,000 to see the 3 – 1 win in 1973 but only 23,550 to watch the 5 – 1 demolition in 1978. I thought there was a lot more than that. I used to stand between the Kop and Tilton, on Cattell Road which gave me the best view and no stench.
As a young boy, i was first taken to St Andrews in the 71/72 promotion winning season. The 1st game I can remember, which may have been my 1st game, was when we beat Carlisle 3-2. Bob Hatton scored the 2 Carlisle goals. Shortly after Freddie Goodwin signed him to form the formidable trio / quartet of Latchford, Hatton, Francis and Taylor.
Due to being an Asthmatic, I attended a residential boarding school which meant coming home for weekends only. So with the end of season approaching, my Mom asked the headmistress for special permission for me to have a one evening leave for me to go to the last match of the season against Orient where we gained promotion. There was a bomb scare which meant the match was temporarily stopped, and a further stoppage when Millwall fans tried to get the match abandoned.
R.I.P. Freddie – Thanks for the memories.
I started supporting Blues during Stan Cullis’s time as manager and, in my opinion, Freddie was the best manager we’ve had in my time supporting Blues. When he took over we had finished about fourth from bottom in the old Second Division and average crowds sub 20,000. When he left we had had one promotion, two FA cup semi finals (we’ve not been to one since), average crowds over 30,000 and one of the most exciting teams I’ve ever seen at Blues. He ,of course, also successfully blooded and developed not just Trevor but also other Blues icons such as Kenny Burns and Joe Gallagher. He was sacked by Keith Coombes who had only just taken over as Blues chairman after his father Clifford Coombes passed away – I sometimes wonder if Coombes senior had still been around whether he would have given Freddie more time. One other thing about Freddie Goodwin is that he was one of those small number of footballers who also played first class cricket.
A testament to Freddie is that in all of my 65 years watching the Blues the teams that he picked were the most exciting that i have ever seen at St Andrews.FRANCIS-LATCHFORD and the brilliant BOB HATTON were simply outstanding.
Rest in peace Freddie.
If Clifford Coombes had lived say 5 years longer , he would not have sacked FG-he would have continued to invest, we would have won major trophies , not sold players , Clifford Coombes was a man of vision together with FG- I have never known a feeling like it in all my 59 years supporting the club , supporters board managers and players as one , Keith Coombes his son whom I met in his office for an hour one on one after he took over was a gentleman but unfortunately not in the same league as his dad re the passion for the club or indeed his dads business acumen or foresight, typical of Bham City me thinks not only was Clifford building a team on the pitch with FG but also off it and had he lived I have no doubt St. Andrews would have been light years ahead as a ground with the best facilities in the country also the Vile were left in our wake miles behind unfortunately as usual it was short lived just our luck
R I P Freddie if only the players now we’re more like you it’s not all about who’s got a nice car or big bank account in your day it was the shirt the badge that ment more Keep Right On
Freddie Goodwin was such an outstanding manager for the Blues. I still remember the exciting times under his tenure as being the most memorable and that day in May 72 at Orient when we achieved promotion to the old 1st Division, had everything that drama could bring. I hope the club give him a memorable send off tomorrow, at the game against Bolton. RIP Freddie.
In January 1975 I took an unofficial break from boarding school to watch Blues play Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the FA Cup. We won 1-0. Latchford. When I went back to school I had been reported as missing, and the police were looking for me. Good days.
I was at that game and I seem to remember it was Howard Kendall with the goal.
It was Kenny Burns who scored at Chelsea, we played Walsall at home in the next round and had a crowd of 45,000+, won 2-1 goals from Burns and Bob Hatton.
A lot of comments about the last match of 71/72 at Orient and quite rightly too as it was the game that got us promoted.But it did any one of you go to the previous saturday`s game at Sheffield Wednesday? It was my 1st away day and i just recall that Blues fans took over over most of the ground and the support was unbelievable.We won 2-1 and every car on the way home seemed to have blue and white scarves hanging out of the window.Estimated 8,000 + followed us at Hillsborough.Great day.
I was at Hillsborough on the Kop, I remember all the Blues fans throwing the seat cushions onto the pitch at the end of the match. I picked up mine to throw and some old geezer grabbed it off me. Goals from Trevor and the great Bob Hatton. Happy Days!
To Singapore Brum. I too used to stand on Cattell Road with my dad and brother, from about 1970 onwards. Great mix of young and old and some great humour. Loved the view from about two thirds of the way back. Even then had to sometimes confer re scorer at Railway end if box crowded! Eyes might not cope now. Used to park on Trinity Terrace near old church by Stratford Road. Fifteen minutes walk or so up Coventry Road but often as close as could get and quicker to get away! I remember Huddersfield, biggest crowd I was in at Stan’s. Don’t think feet touched floor at times.
Agree with a couple above, outright purchase of Kendall keeping Latchford might have gone higher. Not to be.
RIP Freddie you were my favourite manager!
Bingham Blue, we must have been neighbours on Cattell Road then because I also found that two thirds of the way back was just about the best viewing position. I used to get there early and grab one of the handrails.