ILLAWARRA PREM LEAGUE
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He may have provided the on-field heroics to inspire Wollongong United to end a 34-year trophy drought, but Ricky Goodchild says the lure of Tarrawanna's brand of football was the catalyst for an off-season switch to the Blueys.
Goodchild recently inked a deal that will see him return to the northern suburbs next season and a third Illawarra Premier League club in as many years.
The creative influence behind Wollongong United's Bert Bampton Cup win in July said the Blueys' persistence for his signature and a "gut feeling" convinced him to head to Tarrawanna Oval next season.
"To leave a club is a hard decision and you meet a lot of new people," Goodchild said.
"I had a gut feeling that Tarrawanna was the way to go. Normally when you go with your gut feeling it's the right thing.
"There's nothing against United. The boys were good, [former coach] Steve Micevski was good and [president] Pete [Vrtkovski] was good in all facets. I've got nothing bad to say about them.
"To win a trophy for the first time in 34 years was a great achievement, as well as captaining the side, so it was a proud moment."
Goodchild will get acquainted with his new teammates and fans at the club's Christmas bash at Corrimal Bowling Club from 6pm tonight. The club is urging all supporters to attend.
Goodchild said that after speaking to several members of the Tarrawanna squad his decision was made a lot easier.
"They've chased me for the last couple of years and talking to a few of the boys there and how they play, that was a big factor in it," Goodchild said.
"To be a part of that was the biggest thing. Obviously with [coach] Luke McGuire I've heard a lot about him and that was another thing that was appealing.
"They've finished in the top three the last couple of years and it would be underachieving, I guess, if we weren't hoping to finish up there [again] next year."
Goodchild could work in tandem with reigning George Naylor medal winner Tim O'Brien in a lethal partnership in the centre of midfield.
Tarrawanna finished third in the league last season before an under-manned side crashed out of the finals series with back-to-back losses against Bulli and Port Kembla.