Bobbie Goulding

OVERALL STATISTICS

BIRTHAGESIGNED ONFROM
04-02-1972
N/A
04-07-1994
Widnes
DEBUTLAST MATCHLEFT
21-08-1994 v Doncaster
Wigan Warriors
1998- Huddersfield Giants
CAREERAPPEARANCES (SUBS)
1994-1998
117 (2)
TRIESGOALSDGOALSPTS
25
548
13
1209

Biography of Bobbie Goulding



HERITAGE NO : 1051
Bobby Goulding by Dave Dooley:

He was signed from Widnes for £185000 in 1994. Bobbie skippered the Saints during their inaugural season in Super League which ended with Saints’ first Challenge Cup and Championship double for thirty years. Goulding was a superb mid-field general with an excellent tactical kicking game. He was one of the best exponents of the crossfield dart bringing into play dummy runners and receivers which bewildered and tormented defences. Paul Newlove was a particular beneficiary of Bobbie’s reverse passes in these plays. His place kicking was of the highest order and he topped the league’s goalkicking charts in the 1996 campaign. When you toss in great support play and the ability to drop vital goals there emerges one of the most influential half backs ever to play in Saints’ colours – the chief stoker behind Saints’ Super League Revival Show.

Bobbie’s first campaign was an absolute cracker as he amassed 347 points in the 1994/5 season. Some of his contributions were instrumental in Saints ending on the right side of the score-line. Such a match was the 30 points to 22 away league victory over Halifax when Bobbie ruled the roost and collected a brace of tries and five goals to lead the side home. Later on in the season Bobbie showed his dead-eye accuracy with the boot when Saints demolished Hull by 54 points to 18 and Bobbie landed 10 goals!

Bobbie Goulding was appointed captain of the club at the commencement of the 1995/6 season. The Saints were building towards the Super league era at this time and Bobbie was very much characteristic of a side that was assembled to attack the opposition. Although the side wasn’t winning any trophies their potential was there for all to see. The truncated centenary campaign of 1995/6 was very much a final training session for the full professional era. The measure of the quality of a St Helens side is how well it performs against its deadly rivals from Wigan. In the third game of the season Saints were thrashed by the Riversiders by 52 points to 20 at Knowsley Road. With the recruitment of Paul Newlove and the maturation of other personnel, by the end of the campaign Saints were running Wigan close in a tightly fought Regal Trophy Final, that featured some great leadership and attacking prowess by Goulding. Two top team performances against Warrington and Sheffield featured Bobbie’s creativity and goalkicking expertise. He kicked 12 goals in the 80 points to nil semi-final win over the Wire in the Regal Trophy. Another ‘sign’ of things to come was in evidence as Saints demolished the Eagles by 62 points to 20 with Goulding slotting over 11 goals.

The introduction of summer rugby during Super League One was tailor made for a scrum half with the attacking qualities of Bobbie Goulding. Saints preparations for the Challenge Cup run under Shaun McRae went without a hitch apart. Bobbie controlled the play in the semi-final win over Widnes and was then on hand to star in a feast of attacking rugby which saw Saints prevail by 40 points to 32 in one of the greatest Challenge Cup Finals of all time. Goulding’s involvement in the Saints’ tries that day were critical in the final outcome. His first classic intrusion first was initiated by a brilliant Goulding cross kick which was skilfully knocked back by Danny Arnold to Scott Gibbs. The Welshman showed tremendous strength by holding off the Bulls’ defence with one hand and delivering a perfect inside pass to the supporting Prescott who triumphantly slammed the ball down for Saints first points of the Final. Minutes later a Bobbie Goulding chip close to the Bradford tryline bounced back of the crossbar as Prescott was mid-air. Unfortunately the woodwork robbed Steve of his second try. The same combination however was on hand soon after as Bobbie chipped over the Bradford defence forty metres from the Bulls’ tryline. Amazingly Steve Prescott volleyed the ball as it fell to earth and followed up magnificently to tap the ball over and dive on the ovoid for a breathtaking score. A stunning Bradford comeback inspired by Robbie Paul saw the Yorkshiremen leading by 26 points to 12 five minutes into the second stanza. Then in a spectacular five minutes episode, that semmed to be taken straight out of ‘Groundhog Day’, Bobbie launched a bomb that Nathan Graham the Bulls full back failed to defuse. A young Kieron Cunningham was on hand to touch down. On the next set of six tackles Goulding launched his second ‘up and under’ from the 20m line. This time Simon Booth capitalised on the Bradford’s defensive confusion as he scored close to the posts. By the time Bobbie launched his third aerial assault the result was almost inevitable. The emotional roller coaster had reached top speed as Ian Pickavance grabbed the ball and spun over the tryline to put Saints in the lead. Goulding complemented each try with a simple conversion. The game ebbed and flowed dramatically up to the last few minutes when Apollo’s killer punch finally domesticated the gallant Bradford Bulls. Bobbie marched proudly up the Wembley steps picked up his son, wiped his hands and collected his winner’s medal and a long overdue Challenge Cup bearing the St Helens colours.

The 1996 League campaign also bore witness to the high quality of Bobbie’s all round game. The penultimate match of the campaign against Sheffield Eagles ably demonstrated the full range of Bobbie’s attacking prowess. He was involved in most Saints’ tries that day and began with a fabulous Prescott pick up and score of a Bobbie dazzler grubber kick. Another saw him ‘Precky’ leap like a salmon to pluck a ‘Bobbie Bomb’ out of the air and fall over the line to score. From their own tryline a few timely passes found Anthony Sullivan on the left wing. Following involvement in tries for hat trick heroes Hammond and Sullivan, Goulding’s greatest intervention was saved for the last try of the match. Sully sped down the flank and before being tackled, offloaded to Goulding on the halfway line. Bobbie’s little legs carried on the move and were rotating like an Isle of Man badge when he realised with 20 metres to go that the Eagles’ defence was closing in. Goulding released a magical chip over the Sheffield defence and a diving Steve Prescott collected the ball and plunged over in one movement. Goulding also added 10 goals in the same match. The following week against Warrington saw Bobbie and the lads seal the Championship with a dazzling attacking display and ‘doubles’ were the order of the day. One of the loudest cheers of the afternoon was reserved for Bobby as he intercepted a Warrington pass in grand ‘Artful Dodger’ style to race over for a late try. In the summer Bobbie toured Australia with the Great Britain side to further his international honours.

The 1997 season started off in a similar vein as Saints marched to Wembley for a second successive year. This time the road to the ‘Twin Towers’ was reached without Bobbie as he was dismissed in the fourth round match against Wigan. Goulding however returned for the Final and his tactical leadership was instrumental in subduing the Bradford efforts that afternoon. The 32 points to 22 final score provided Bobbie with a second Challenge Cup winner’s medal. Bobbie was also on form with the boot as he coaxed and encouraged six goals over the cross bar. Goulding’s generous nature was on show as he promoted vice captain Chris Joynt to receive the Challenge Cup. As Bobbie and the lads celebrated who would have thought that Saints fortunes were about to change. The team did not win another match in May and six consecutive World Club Challenge defeats provided an unwelcome culture shock for the Saints and the British game in general.

The 1998 campaign Saints were very inconsistent at the start of the year. Things looked somewhat brighter as Bobbie and the team found some form in the July match against Salford when two Goulding tries and 8 goals seemed to put the lads back on the right track. Notwithstanding the contests with Wigan provided the performance barometer. July 26th, 1998 witnessed Saints fourth loss to Wigan that season. This hapless display on the road at Swansea was Bobbie’s last in a Saints’ shirt.

It is inconceivable that Saints would have had the success at the start of the Super League if Bobbie had not been at Knowsley Road. He provided the leadership and on field tactics that saved many a game for the Saints. In 117 matches Bobbie scored 25 tries, 458 goals (7th) and 13 drop goals for a fabulous tally of 1209 points (7th). Supporters will long associate Bobbie with a beaming sunshine smile – especially after lifting a trophy!



SEASON STATISTICS

Season (Official Matches)TriesGoalsDGoalsMatches
1994~95 11 148 7 36
1995~96 3 121 0 21
1996 6 153 4 26
19972 77 1 20
19983 49 1 14
TOTALS:25 548 13 117
Season (Other Matches)TriesGoalsDGoalsMatches
1994~950201
1995~960702
199711102
19980902
TOTALS:12907

ALL MATCHES

DateMatchPosOpponentsCompVenueFTFTOTGDG
21st Aug 1994 1
L
 7 Doncaster L H 20 29 VIEW
24th Aug 1994 2
L
 7 Warrington L A 10 31 1 VIEW
28th Aug 1994 3
W
 7 Halifax L A 30 22 2 5 VIEW
4th Sep 1994 4
W
 7 Salford L H 34 28 5 VIEW
11th Sep 1994 5
W
 7 Workington Town L A 30 25 1 3 VIEW
18th Sep 1994 6
W
 7 Castleford L H 47 14 7 1 VIEW
25th Sep 1994 7
W
 7 Sheffield Eagles L H 26 10 3 VIEW
2nd Oct 1994 8
D
 7 Oldham L A 18 18 1 3 VIEW
9th Oct 1994 9
W
 7 Leeds L H 25 18 4 1 VIEW
16th Oct 1994 10
W
 7 Bradford Northern L A 51 12 7 1 VIEW
8th Nov 1994 11
W
 7 Doncaster L A 24 5 1 2 VIEW
13th Nov 1994 12
W
 7 Halifax L H 18 14 1 VIEW
27th Nov 1994 13
L
 7 Salford L A 12 39 2 VIEW
4th Dec 1994 14
W
 7 Huddersfield RT2 A 52 11 5 VIEW
11th Dec 1994 15
W
 7 Workington Town L H 48 10 8 VIEW
18th Dec 1994 16
D
 7 Batley RT3 A 22 22 3 VIEW
20th Dec 1994 17
W
 7 Batley RT3rep H 50 22 1 8 VIEW
26th Dec 1994 18
L
 7 Wigan L H 25 32 4 1 VIEW
1st Jan 1995 19
W
 7 Widnes L A 20 10 4 VIEW
8th Jan 1995 20
L
 7 Wigan RT4 A 22 24 5 VIEW
11th Jan 1995 21
L
 7 Wakefield Trinity L A 0 15 VIEW
15th Jan 1995 22
W
 7 Featherstone Rovers L H 26 20 5 VIEW
22nd Jan 1995 23
W
 7 Hull L H 54 18 10 VIEW
11th Feb 1995 24
D
 7 Wigan CC4 A 16 16 3 1 VIEW
15th Feb 1995 25
L
 7 Wigan CC4rep H 24 40 1 3 VIEW
19th Feb 1995 26
W
 7 Oldham L H 32 22 4 VIEW
12th Mar 1995 27
W
 7 Hull L A 43 32 5 VIEW
17th Mar 1995 28
W
 7 Bradford Northern L H 36 27 6 VIEW
22nd Mar 1995 29
W
 7 Leeds L A 31 20 5 1 VIEW
26th Mar 1995 30
L
 7 Featherstone Rovers L A 27 34 3 1 VIEW
2nd Apr 1995 31
W
 7 Wakefield Trinity L H 56 14 8 VIEW
14th Apr 1995 32
L
 7 Wigan L A 18 34 3 VIEW
17th Apr 1995 33
W
 7 Widnes L H 54 22 2 1 VIEW
21st Apr 1995 34
W
 7 Warrington L H 31 12 1 3 VIEW
7th May 1995 35
W
 7 Halifax PT1 H 32 16 6 VIEW
14th May 1995 36
L
 7 Leeds PTSF A 26 30 1 3 VIEW
24th May 1995 --
W
 7 Castleford* Fr Benefit H 40 28 2 VIEW
6th Aug 1995 --
W
 7 Hull* Fr Testimonial H 64 16 5 VIEW
11th Aug 1995 --
W
 7 Salford* Fr A 32 22 2 VIEW
20th Aug 1995 37
W
 7 Bradford Bulls L H 55 10 8 VIEW
23rd Aug 1995 38
W
 7 Oldham L A 44 18 7 VIEW
28th Aug 1995 39
L
 7 Wigan L H 20 52 2 VIEW
3rd Sep 1995 40
L
 7 Leeds L A 24 36 2 VIEW
10th Sep 1995 41
W
 7 Workington Town L A 66 22 8 VIEW
13th Sep 1995 42
W
 7 Sheffield Eagles L H 62 20 11 VIEW
17th Sep 1995 43
W
 7 Castleford L H 35 18 1 VIEW
1st Nov 1995 44
W
 7 London Broncos L A 50 34 1 7 VIEW
5th Nov 1995 45
W
 7 Halifax L H 58 20 9 VIEW
11th Nov 1995 46
W
 7 Keighley Cougars RT2 A 42 14 1 5 VIEW
17th Nov 1995 47
W
 7 Bradford Bulls L A 32 18 4 VIEW
26th Nov 1995 48
W
 7 Hull RT3 A 38 26 5 VIEW
29th Nov 1995 49
L
 7 Sheffield Eagles L A 18 32 1 3 VIEW
3rd Dec 1995 50
W
 7 Workington Town L H 58 10 7 VIEW
10th Dec 1995 51
W
 7 Halifax RT4 H 46 18 7 VIEW
13th Dec 1995 52
W
 7 Oldham L H 32 22 4 VIEW
1st Jan 1996 53
L
 7 Leeds L H 14 20 3 VIEW
4th Jan 1996 54
W
 7 Warrington RTSF H 80 0 12 VIEW
7th Jan 1996 55
W
 7 Warrington L H 54 14 8 VIEW
13th Jan 1996 56
L
 7 Wigan RTF N 16 25 2 VIEW
17th Jan 1996 57
W
 7 London Broncos L H 48 18 6 VIEW
4th Feb 1996 58
W
 7 Castleford Tigers SCCC4 A 58 16 9 VIEW
11th Feb 1996 59
W
 7 Rochdale Hornets SCCC5 A 58 20 5 VIEW
24th Feb 1996 60
W
 7 Salford Reds SCCC6 A 46 26 7 VIEW
9th Mar 1996 61
W
 7 Widnes SCCCSF N 24 14 4 VIEW
31st Mar 1996 62
W
 7 Workington Town SL A 62 0 9 VIEW
5th Apr 1996 63
W
 7 Wigan Warriors SL H 41 26 6 1 VIEW
8th Apr 1996 64
W
 7 Leeds Rhinos SL A 46 24 9 VIEW
14th Apr 1996 65
W
 7 Bradford Bulls SL H 26 20 5 VIEW
21st Apr 1996 66
W
 7 Halifax Blue Sox SL A 30 28 5 VIEW
27th Apr 1996 67
W
 7 Bradford Bulls SCCCF W 40 32 4 VIEW
5th May 1996 68
W
 7 Oldham Bears SL H 66 18 1 8 VIEW
12th May 1996 69
W
 7 London Broncos SL H 24 22 4 VIEW
17th May 1996 70
W
 7 Warrington Wolves SL A 25 24 6 1 VIEW
27th May 1996 71
W
 7 Castleford Tigers SL H 62 24 11 VIEW
16th Jun 1996 72
W
 7 Workington Town SL H 60 16 1 8 VIEW
21st Jun 1996 73
L
 7 Wigan Warriors SL A 19 35 1 3 1 VIEW
30th Jun 1996 74
W
 7 Leeds Rhinos SL H 42 16 2 VIEW
14th Jul 1996 75
W
 7 Halifax Blue Sox SL H 58 20 1 7 VIEW
19th Jul 1996 76
W
 7 Oldham Bears SL A 54 18 7 VIEW
27th Jul 1996 77
W
 7 London Broncos SL A 32 28 4 VIEW
2nd Aug 1996 78
W
 7 Castleford Tigers SL A 20 16 2 VIEW
10th Aug 1996 79
W
 7 Paris St.Germain SL A 32 12 4 VIEW
18th Aug 1996 80
W
 7 Sheffield Eagles SL H 68 2 10 VIEW
26th Aug 1996 81
W
 7 Warrington Wolves SL H 66 14 1 7 VIEW
1st Sep 1996 82
W
 7 London Broncos PTSF H 25 14 1 4 1 VIEW
8th Sep 1996 83
L
 7 Wigan Warriors PTF N 14 44 3 VIEW
12th Jan 1997 --
W
 7 Wigan* Fr Norweb Challenge H 44 12 1 6 VIEW
24th Jan 1997 --
L
 7 Leeds Rhinos* Fr H 30 36 5 VIEW
8th Feb 1997 84
W
 7 Wigan Warriors SCCC4 H 26 12 3 VIEW
5th Apr 1997 85
W
 7 Paris St.Germain SL A 44 6 6 VIEW
11th Apr 1997 86
L
 7 Leeds Rhinos SL A 12 13 1 2 VIEW
15th Apr 1997 87
W
 7 Salford Reds SL H 19 12 3 1 VIEW
20th Apr 1997 88
W
 7 Warrington Wolves SL H 60 16 8 VIEW
27th Apr 1997 89
W
 7 Castleford Tigers SL H 42 16 7 VIEW
3rd May 1997 90
W
 7 Bradford Bulls SCCCF W 32 22 6 VIEW
11th May 1997 91
L
 7 Bradford Bulls SL A 18 38 3 VIEW
16th May 1997 92
D
 7 London Broncos SL H 22 22 1 5 VIEW
22nd May 1997 93
L
 7 Salford Reds SL A 26 39 5 VIEW
26th May 1997 94
L
 7 Wigan Warriors SL H 12 65 2 VIEW
1st Jun 1997 95
W
 7 Halifax Blue Sox SL A 26 18 2 VIEW
6th Jun 1997 96
L
 7 Auckland Warriors WCC H 14 42 2 VIEW
13th Jul 1997 97
W
 7 Halifax Blue Sox SL H 38 20 4 VIEW
21st Jul 1997 98
L
 7 Cronulla Sharks WCC A 12 28 2 VIEW
25th Jul 1997 99
L
 7 Auckland Warriors WCC A 6 70 1 VIEW
4th Aug 1997 100
L
 7 Penrith Panthers WCC A 26 32 3 VIEW
10th Aug 1997 101
W
 7 Oldham Bears SL H 36 26 6 VIEW
25th Aug 1997 102
W
 7 Leeds Rhinos SL H 25 18 2 VIEW
31st Aug 1997 103
W
 7 Paris St.Germain SL H 26 14 5 VIEW
18th Jan 1998 --
W
 7 Lancashire Lynx* Fr A 34 14 5 VIEW
25th Jan 1998 --
W
 7 Swinton Lions* Fr H 50 28 4 VIEW
15th Feb 1998 104
W
 7 Featherstone Rovers SCCC4 A 56 24 1 8 VIEW
1st Mar 1998 105
W
 7 Warrington Wolves SCCC5 H 35 22 7 1 VIEW
15th Mar 1998 106
L
 7 Wigan Warriors SCCC6 A 10 22 1 VIEW
5th Apr 1998 107
W
 7 Salford Reds SL A 18 14 3 VIEW
10th Apr 1998 108
L
 7 Wigan Warriors SL H 18 38 3 VIEW
19th Apr 1998 109
W
 7 Huddersfield Giants SL A 26 24 5 VIEW
26th Apr 1998 110
W
 7 Warrington Wolves SL H 36 14 5 VIEW
10th May 1998 111
L
 7 Bradford Bulls SL A 4 18 VIEW
17th May 1998 112
W
 7 Hull Sharks SL H 28 18 6 VIEW
24th May 1998 113
L
 7 Halifax Blue Sox SL A 10 16 1 VIEW
14th Jun 1998 114
W
 14 London Broncos SL H 58 6 VIEW
20th Jun 1998 115
L
 14 Sheffield Eagles SL A 17 18 1 VIEW
28th Jun 1998 116
W
 7 Salford Reds SL H 48 12 2 8 VIEW
26th Jul 1998 117
L
 7 Wigan Warriors SL N 2 36 1 VIEW
*Unofficial Match. **Non Playing Sub.
WINS : 88 | LOSSES : 32 | DRAWS : 4

GALLERY





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