Goodlad Retires

MARK Goodlad will make a final appearance at Vale Park after announcing his retirement today. The 28-year-old goalkeeper will make an emotional farewell to fans by going on the pitch before the home game with Millwall on Saturday, January 12.
The keeper has been forced to quit football after failing to recover from an Achilles injury he suffered away at Bristol City in December, 2006, which has sidelined him since. But after making 247 appearances for Vale in his eight years at the club, he wants his to show his appreciation to the supporters.
He said: “I have had loads of support while I have been injured and have always had a good relationship with the supporters. I will be there to say goodbye and thanks.”
Goodlad has decided against further surgery as specialists were not convinced another operation would save his career. A scan three weeks ago showed the injury has not healed properly, leaving Goodlad to reluctantly retire.
He said: “When I got the MRI results, I sat down with the physio and my family to discuss it. It came down to whether I was comfortable having another operation. I had already tried to come back from one and the surgeon couldn’t tell me another would work. It was a very difficult decision to make. I had a lot of things to assess, but had to look at what was best for me in the long term.”
Vale manager Lee Sinnott said: “Mark has given it a good shot. He has thought about the equation and he has come up with an answer he feels settled with. That is what I have said to him – regardless of anyone else, you have to feel settled with the decision you make.”