 He made only four appearances in the 1910-11 season and was released at the end of the season as "surplus to requirements"

He then obtained employment in Southampton Docks before Manchester City were alerted to his availability by Jimmy Yates, who was now Southampton's scout.Goodchild became a regular in City's first team over the next sixteen years appearing over 200 times between 1911 and 1927, including appearing on the losing side in the 1926 FA Cup Final against Bolton Wanderers.He also made over 100 appearances in War League matches during World War I; his total appearances for City in all first team matches was 347.