Career
He made 59 appearances in the Football League for Coventry City, Bristol City and Plymouth Argyle. Gooding began his career with Coventry City, having been signed by Gordon Milne in 1976. He scored five goals in 49 league appearances over the next six years and spent a month on loan with Bristol City during the 1981-1982 season.
Gooding joined Plymouth Argyle in 1982 and scored once in nine league and cup games before suffering a cruciate ligament injury.
Having been forced to give up professional football, he played briefly for Bedworth United in non-league football before ending his career. Gooding returned to Coventry in 1988 when John Sillett appointed him to work with John Peacock as a football development officer in the community at the club"s centre of excellence.
He went on to be responsible for young player recruitment and first met Richard Money when he was appointed academy director during Gordon Strachan"s tenure as manager. Under their stewardship, Coventry"s youth team reached two FA Youth Cup finals.
He later worked for Birmingham City as a recruitment officer and scout for their academy.