There have only been a handful of footballers who have played for both Preston North End and Watford, who visit Deepdale on Easter Saturday. One such person was a personal favourite of Tom Finney's, the goalkeeper Jimmy Gooch.
Jimmy, a Londoner born in Canning Town, played for Becontree FC in the Ilford & District League before the war and, as a footballing soldier, was recommended to North End by Andy Beattie, PNE's full-back at that time. He first played for Preston, as an amateur, on 21st March 1942 in a war-time 4-4 draw at Newcastle, and before the month of May was out he had signed on as a professional.
Jimmy served his country overseas during the war as well as keeping goal for both the 5th Army & Central Mediterranean Forces teams. Bizarrely, in March 1945, Jimmy was chosen to represent an Army Select team to tour Germany which, in my eyes, seemed a strange country selection in view of the fact that we had just been at war with them!
Once Jimmy had been demobilised from the Army in September 1946, he was soon on his way to Deepdale. Due to Jack Fairbrother's consistency in goals during the 1946-47 season, Jimmy only played one game that particular season, making his league debut at Deepdale against Wolves on the 23rd November 1946. After Fairbrother's record fee for a goalkeeper departure Jimmy became the first choice keeper for the remainder of the 1940's period.
He was one of the most daring and courageous custodians we have ever had at Deepdale. It was often said that he would either play for England or receive a serious injury. As you may have gathered he got injured, playing for PNE in a derby game against Blackburn Rovers during February 1948, which allowed both Jack Hindle and Willie Hall to make their own debuts.
The following season, now recovered, Jimmy took over between the sticks but dislocated his shoulder in the first away game of the season at Manchester City. Bobby Langton had put North End 1-0 up after just 7 seconds and within five minutes Jimmy was being helped off the field. Malcolm Newlands took over from him whilst he recovered and in many fans eyes, did a good job too. Over the next couple of seasons the pair shared the goalkeeping duties. With Jimmy back to fitness and in favour, Preston North End won the Second Division Championship in 1951.
As North End consolidated their status in the First Division Jimmy played in all but 8 of that seasons games. The younger Newlands was in on merit at the start of the 1952-53 season until both he and Jimmy were superseded by George Thompson. Malcolm was transferred to Workington and Jimmy went off to Bradford City. Jimmy Gooch had played 144 games for Preston North End, including the three war-time appearances he made.
From Bradford, Jimmy was transferred to Watford where he made 40-odd appearances before going non-league with Bath City. Later in life Jimmy settled in Preston and was employed on the Club's commercial department staff until he retired.
Ian Rigby
