Bill Goold

Bill Goold was a hard-working umpire who toiled for thirteen seasons in country Victoria and for three more seasons in his original umpiring area the Footscray District Football League.

Born William James Goold in Fremantle, Western Australia, on 28 February 1924, Bill grew up in South Australia, country Victoria and Footscray.

He played football in the Sunday competition run by the Australian Education Union and for the Waratah Football Club in the Footscray District Football League. A sporting all-rounder he also played tennis, cricket and was involved in cycling.

Beginning umpiring in 1950 with the Footscray District Scouts, Bill joined the VFL Second Eighteen umpires the following year. Promotion to the VFL Senior List came in 1954.

Over thirteen seasons Bill officiated in 200 VCFL, twelve Metropolitan Football League and six Tramways matches. This included two senior country finals in 1964 – Bairnsdale and District First-Semi and the Benalla-Tungamah Second-Semi – and five VCFL Reserves finals. He became a Life Member of the VFL Umpires Association in 1964.

Following retirement at the conclusion of the 1966 season Bill returned to suburban football at the Footscray District Football League from 1967-69 and during his time there was the Umpires Tribunal Advocate.

Bill passed away on 17 May 2011.