LUTON DEFENDER GOODALL JOINS CHESTERFIELD

Luton Town have allowed another player to leave the club as left-back Alan Goodall has completed a move to League Two rivals Chesterfield on a free transfer.

The former Rochdale defender has signed a two-year deal with the Spireites after impressing during an appearance as a trialist in their midweek win over Sheffield Wednesday at Saltergate.

Signed by former Hatters boss Kevin Blackwell from Rochdale last summer, Goodall had a rather disappointing season for Luton Town in 2007-08 as the Hatters endured a torrid campaign on and off the field, which culminated in relegation to League Two - their second successive relegation.

Featuring regularly at left-back under manager Kevin Blackwell as the campaign began, Goodall enjoyed a solid enough start to the season and, in fact, he scored the winning goal with a header from a corner on his Luton Town debut as the Hatters defeated Hartlepool United 2-1 at Kenilworth Road on the opening day of the season.
A virtual ever-present under Blackwell at left-back, Goodall was preferred by Blackwell to the popular Sol Davis, and he showed his versatility during the campaign by also appearing in the centre of the defence when asked to do so.

However, the Hatters were placed into administration in November 2007 by chairman David Pinkney, deducted 10 League points as a result, and they plummeted into the relegation places. Blackwell left in January 2008, and he was replaced as manager by Luton legend Mick Harford. Harford quickly tried to impose his own authority on the team and Goodall was soon dropped to the bench and replaced at left-back by Sol Davis.

Both Goodall and Richard Jackson, the two new full-backs signed by Kevin Blackwell during the summer of 2007, were criticised by Hatters fans and both ended the season out of the starting XI.

Making a total of 36 appearances in all competitions during the campaign, Goodall was one of six players transfer-listed and made available on a free transfer at the end of the season by Hatters boss Mick Harford and he has now signed for Chesterfield after just one season at Kenilworth Road.
Story date: Friday, August 1, 2008