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While the game with Mansfield Town was the last game of a long season for many at the Club, it also signalled the end of an era, as Lee Goodwin made his last appearance in the red and blue of the Daggers. Ironically while it was his last appearance, it was also his first of the season, and his first for some time, such as been the horrendous injury problems Lee has suffered from in the last few seasons.
Ted Hardy managed to get Lee to join the Daggers in August 1998, having been released by local Premiership side, West Ham United. Already at that stage of his career Lee had suffered with some injury problems. However, he took his place in a Daggers side at that time playing in the Ryman Premier Division, and played several times that season as the Daggers finished outside of the one promotion place available at the time. However, the following season Lee was to become a regular as the Daggers stormed away from the pack to win the Ryman League title, and take their place back in the Conference. At this stage of his career, and for most of his time when a regular in the side Lee would operate either at centre half of right back for the Daggers.
It was in that next season, 2000/2001 that Lee really came to prominence as the Daggers defied all odds to finish 3rd in the Conference, and also progress to the FA Cup 3rd round, where Lee played a huge role in both games against Charlton Athletic. The Daggers back 4 of Lee, Tim Cole, Lee Matthews and Ashley Vickers received rave reviews from the media and TV covering the games.
The next season Lee was again a regular as the Daggers missed out on promotion to the Football League by goal difference to Boston United. 2002/2003 saw Lee's season disrupted by injury but he was in the Daggers side which again came agonisingly close to promotion before losing to Doncaster 3-2 in an absorbing play off final.
2003/2004 saw several changes to the Daggers squad both before and during the season, and Lee sometimes had to settle for a place on the bench, as Garry Hill searched for a winning formula. Lee did find the net a couple of times that season though, including the 5th goal as the Daggers thrashed eventual play off winners Shrewsbury Town at Victoria Road.
With John Still back at the Club for the 2004/2005 season, Lee continued as a regular in the side at the start of the campaign, and on several occasions wore the captains armband, a choice which went down well with all Daggers fans. He missed a handful of games in October and November, but was back in the side by Christmas, and was once again skipper of the side on a number of occasions, as a young Daggers squad finished the season in a highly creditable 11th place.
The next season began with Lee again captaining the side, and playing occasionally in midfield as well as in the Daggers back line. However, an injury midway through this season was where Lee's injury problems really started, as his missed all of the second half of the season, as the Daggers again finished in mid-table.
The 2006/2007 season was again a frustrating one for Lee. Surgery and several bouts of physio could not do the trick for Lee, and he did not play in a competitive first team game for the Club all season, although he did have a couple of run outs with the reserve team. Lee though played his full part in the celebrations as the Club raced away with the Conference title. Lee, Tim Cole and Tony Roberts were the only players left at the Club from the near misses 4 and 4 years before.
It became clear by the start of the Daggers first season in the Football League that it was unlikely Lee would ever play for the Club again, such was the time he had now been out. However, he would nearly always be seen at games shouting at and encouraging his team mates. There was to be one final appearance for him at Victoria Road, as he came on as a substitute for the last game of the season against Mansfield Town. He was duly awarded the Man of the Match award for his 5 minute appearance.
All in all Lee made over 250 first team appearances for the Club in a career spanning ten seasons. He played under various managers at the Club, and saw a lot of changes at the Club in that time. He, along with Tim Cole and Tony Roberts, remained loyal to the Club, when the successful side from around the turn of the Century was split up a few years later. Always happy to chat to supporters after the game, and always one to give 110%, he epitomised a lot of the good things about the Club of the last few years. He was not the most naturally talented or pacey of players, but an excellent reader of the game, great in the air, and very brave.
It is not entirely clear if Lee will remain with the Club in another capacity, although there have been rumours he will be involved in the Reserves and Youth set up, and he will surely be a great asset. Whatever he does, all Dagenham and Redbridge fans will wish Lee the very best of luck with his future career. |
