History (Fossilized)
John Goold is charitable
Back in the 1960s, end-of-season charity matches were regularly held
and proved to be popular with football enthusiasts. In those times there was much less
poaching of players from the WAFL and SANFL to the VFL and fewer players left the bush to
play in the city. The bush leagues were strong and the South West League in WA was
better than most.
The South West League would bolster their combined side with the inclusion of two or
three star Victorians or South Australians and challenge a WAFL team with the proceeds
going to charity.
On one occasion The South West played East Perth with the brilliant Carlton
centre-half-back, John Goold, in their team. Goold was playing for charity.
Goold was a flamboyant type and a snazzy dresser which belied his determined style
of play. I was watching from a position on the on the wing with the South West kicking
to my left. Goold manned up on Malcolm Brown, the centre-half-forward for East Perth.
Classy Carlton defender, John Goold.
The ball came to their area and Goold, smooth as silk, came to meet it, marked and kicked
downfield with nonchalent ease. This happened about three times in the first few
minutes of the game and Brown was looking decidedly second rate. With the ball deep
into the South West's forward line I happened to look back at Goold and Brown. Brown
was on Goold's right and about two foot (60cm) back.
When the trainers reached Goold he was motionless on the ground but after a minute or two
they had him on his feet. He was groggy but walked off with the assistance of the
trainers.
I had watched the game for a few minutes when one of the trainers came and asked me
to accompany him to the changerooms and this I did. Goold was under the shower but was
still groggy. The trainer asked me to keep an eye on the poor bloke as he had to
return to the game. He was concerned that Goold would lapse back into unconsciousness
under the shower.
Everyone else left the changerooms. Goold assured me he was O.K. but every time
I walked away from him he would start to sway. I kept asking him to get out of the
shower but he ignored me. Eventually, I scolded him and said I would not leave him
alone until he was getting dressed. At long last he left the shower and began to
slowly put his clothes on. True to my word I left and went back to watch the
game.
After about 20 minutes Goold came and sat alongside me. He was very quiet
but I think that was his nature. After a time he said "That bloke would make it in
the VFL" and pointed to Bunbury boy, Allan Prosser, who went on to represent Western
Australia and play 119 games for East Fremantle.
