An Interview with…Eddie McGoldrick
Today sees Eddie McGoldrick, the second of Far Post Header’s three Patrons interviewed. Eddie played for Northampton Town, Crystal Palace, Arsenal and Manchester City and also played internationally for Republic of Ireland.
After starting your professional career at Northampton Town. you moved to Crystal Palace where you played in the successful team under Steve Coppell. How good was he as a manager and why?
Steve Coppell was a great manager for me, he had been watching me for many years going back to my non-league days at Nuneaton and then when I signed for Northampton.
He simplified everything and just wanted me to be positive as a winger and provide crosses for Ian Wright and Mark Bright to score. Thankfully that’s what I did.
You missed the 1990 FA Cup Final. Why was that? It must have been very disappointing to miss out?
I missed the FA Cup Final due to injury. We played Liverpool at home on the 27th of January and I went into a challenge with John Barnes and sustained a bucket handle tear of my cartilage in my right knee and missed the whole cup run. It was the biggest disappointment of my whole career as I’d grown up as a kid watching every Cup Final and dreaming of playing in it.
The following season you did manage to get to play at Wembley for Palace in the Full Members Cup Final when you came on as a substitute against Everton. What are your memories of the day?
the ZDS against Everton did bring me some comfort but it was no replacement for the FA Cup. It was a good day and was good to contribute to the win and brilliant for the Palace fans who were amazing as always.
George Graham came in and signed you for Arsenal in the summer of 1993. When did you hear that Arsenal were interested?
I was on international duty with the Republic of Ireland and Ian Wright rang me to say George Graham was interested and would I be interested in joining.
The next morning Alan Smith rang me to say they had accepted a bid of £1.2 million and did I want to speak to them. George rang me soon after and I flew back to speak to Arsenal on the Monday and signed that day.
Your only goal for Arsenal was the seventh goal in the 7-0 win over Standard Liege in the Cup Winners Cup. How did that compare in terms complete team performances in your career?
It certainly was as near to complete as could be. We had won the first leg
3-0 at Highbury so the tie was effectively won. It allowed us to go out and play with a bit of freedom and we won the game convincingly. I remember making two or three assists for Merse (Paul Merson) and Kevin Campbell. I saved the best until last with my goal to make it 7-0. It was worth the wait to score such a good goal in Europe.
What was it like in your time at Arsenal? There were some great players at Highbury during that time. Did you ever get involved in the booze culture?
I really enjoyed my time there as I did at all the clubs I played for. There was good and bad at all of them but that is part and parcel of being a professional.
The Arsenal team I went into was full of top top players and internationals so the challenge was hard but something I relished always.
Yes there was a booze culture but I never got involved in that on a regular basis. We would have team bonding days out that the club knew about but not really the ones the lads would plan themselves.
You were a substitute in the Cup Winners Cup Final. Was that the highlight of your career?
The Cup Winners Cup Final was an amazing night and great to be part of and something that will go down in Arsenal’s history which I was proudly part of. As a player that’s what you strive for in your career so I’m happy.
In the summer of 1994, you went to the World Cup with Republic of Ireland but didn’t feature in any of the games. What was it like to be a part of the squad and be a part of the experience?
Making my debut and playing for my country is the pinnacle of any footballer’s career so that would be the biggest highlight and going to the World Cup has to top it all.
it was disappointing not to play but I was close for the Norway game in New Jersey but Steve Staunton passed a late fitness test. Nevertheless, being part of the whole experience is something I will always cherish as there is not many players throughout the world that get that chance. It’s something that I will tell my grandchildren in years to come.
After a move to Manchester City, you became a manager in non-league football. Did you always want a career in management?
When I did retire from my last club City, I took a break as I’d had 20 years of being a professional. I wanted to rest and do other things like go on holiday at Christmas and eat and drink when I wanted to.
I did fall into non-league management with my home town club Corby town but it only lasted 15 months. I enjoyed my time in it and made a difference. I tried to change the attitudes of players with different methods and an approach which worked to a certain degree with the players I had. Invariably there was no money to do the things I wanted to do to improve the professionalism of the club. The players and I walked through not getting the backing to do that.
You have been involved in youth coaching in recent times. Would you want to go back to first team management one day?
I started my coaching badges in the early 2000’s and went into youth football coaching with Northampton Town and Leicester City and then down to Palace.
I’ve coached all over the world in place like America, South Africa and Africa and have loved every minute of the experiences that I’ve had.
I now run my own football/education programme out of Northampton College and it’s backed by my former club Crystal Palace.
We play in the national football league against Premier and Football League clubs.
It’s designed to bridge the gap between college football and academy football but the boys also get an education alongside it. It creates pathways into Football League or non-league, University, scholarships in America and the workplace. It’s a brilliant programme to be involved in
Do I want to go back into First Team management? No, not at all. I love what I’m doing on a daily basis from Monday to Friday. I enjoy my weekends off spending it with my family and new grandson and playing my golf with the boys.
I’ve been very fortunate and blessed to have the career I’ve had and wouldn’t change a thing or the memories and achievements.
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