The University student, who was not named in the East Essex club’s side for the pre-season friendly between the two clubs two years ago, signed for Maldon in August of 2002. He had established himself through Burnham Ramblers famed youth set-up, where he played alongside ex-Shrimpers youth-teamer and reserve team midfielder Frankie Everett.

The young Essex man started out his Maldon career with a season in the reserve team during the 2002/3 campaign, when he was just 16 for the most part. However, the following campaign was much more successful as he forced his way into the first team, and in the Southern League side he managed to scoop the Players’ Player of the Year prize at the club’s May awards night.

Last year was a fantastic season for the Blackwater outfit. Maldon were promoted from the Southern League First Division, and next year, as Step Four of the non-League pyramid is realigned again, will compete in the Isthmian (Ryman) League Premier Division, alongside near-neighbours Heybridge Swifts and non-League legends Chelmsford City.

Many will possibly claim that the step up from Southern/Ryman League football is too large a one to make, and there is no guarantee that Steve Tilson is about to grant Goodacre the chance. However, it should be remembered that Paul Benson, of Essex Intermediate League side White Ensign, trialled extensively with Blues at the end of last season before joining Dagenham & Redbridge of the Nationwide Conference National, and that Ryman League champions Yeading’s top-goalscorer, DJ Campbell, has been handed a deal at Brentford.

Goodacre has proved himself to be a competent and dependable player at non-League level, and he is described by his teammates as someone who will not let the side down. A safe bet would be to assume that instead of being offered any kind of deal at Roots Hall, Goodacre may make a couple of Pontin’s Holidays Combination League starts once the season gets underway.

Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com