Jeremy Goss
Encyclopedia
Jeremy "Jerry" Goss is a former Welsh
international footballer
. He is most noted for playing for Norwich City
from 1984 to 1996. He came to prominence during their successful period in the mid-1990s. Goss played in the midfield
, and was known for scoring spectacularly but not often, and was noted for his superior volleying skills and high level of stamina.
, as a schoolboy at Pent Valley Secondary School in Folkestone, represented Kent Schools at football, and also played for England Schools at Under 18 level. He was a member of Norwich City's FA Youth Cup
winning team in 1983.
Of his early years at the club, he speaks of having to do the traditional apprentice roles, including getting the sandwiches for the senior players' lunch, adding that, "...if you got it wrong, you got a bollocking.."
Goss was mostly a squad or bench player up until the 1990-91 season where he became more regular in the starting lineup. His vastly improving form earned him a callup to the Welsh international team, and the start of the Premier League coincided with Goss's and Norwich's most productive period in the top flight in 1992-93. His stunning volleyed goal against Leeds United at Elland Road in the opening month of the 1993-94 season was voted "Goal of the month" on Match Of the Day, and to this day he describes it as technically the best goal he ever scored.. Goss scored six league goals during Norwich's first European season.
over Bayern Munich in the UEFA Cup
, the first time notably that an English side had ever beaten Bayern at their home ground now frequently cited as Norwich's most famous win and goal- and again in the 1-1 return leg which put Norwich through. "There's no doubt Bayern assumed it would be easy."
. He was awarded a testimonial during the 1993-94 season, which fittingly became his most successful season with the club.
Goss remained a regular until Norwich were relegated from the Premiership in the 1994-95 season. Upon Martin O'Neill's appointment as Norwich manager in 1995-96, Goss was initally was dropped into the reserves as the new manager was looking to trim the "Premier League" wage bill. He was later recalled and scored a spectacular goal on his return against Derby County.
All told, Goss made 188 league appearances for Norwich, scoring 14 goals. After leaving Norwich in 1996, Goss had spells at Heart of Midlothian
and Colchester United
before signing for local non league side Kings Lynn. Goss retired from playing in 1999, and then worked for Norwich City as a community ambassador until January 2010, when the post was terminated; Goss declined an alternative role in the club's Football in the Community team. In March 2010, Goss returned to Norwich City to assist reserve team manager Ian Crook
.
Moving on from his association with Norwich City football club, Goss continues to deliver his own; humorous after dinner speeches, student development and as a Leadership and Motivational programmes.
Gossy currently spends most of his time in support of the Norfolk and Norwich Association of the Blind (www.NNAB.org.uk), raising funds to provide the range of services to the Blind people of Norwich and Norfolk. This has recently culminated in the 1300 mile sponsored bicycle ride, retracing the 1993 Norwich City European Cup run from Norwich to Vitesse Arnham, to Bayern Munich, to Inter Milan. Followed extensively on twitter #BacktoBayern and with a GPS tracking application on his site, affectionaly named "Where's Gossy" (http://www.jeremygoss.co.uk/wheres-gossy/).
All this in support of raising funds for the Blind and through donations at
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=JeremyGoss
Goss, with his father having served in the British Army, is also a member of the Forces2Canaries Supporters Group. In 2002, Norwich fans voted Goss into the club's Hall of Fame.
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
international footballer
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
. He is most noted for playing for Norwich City
Norwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
from 1984 to 1996. He came to prominence during their successful period in the mid-1990s. Goss played in the midfield
Midfield
Midfield is the part of a sports pitch that lies approximately in the center. It is a term most commonly associated with football to refer to the area in and around the center circle, as well as the players who occupy that region, but it can be used in field hockey to describe the same area, or in...
, and was known for scoring spectacularly but not often, and was noted for his superior volleying skills and high level of stamina.
Early career
Goss, nicknamed "Gossa", a reference to Paul GascoignePaul Gascoigne
Paul John Gascoigne , commonly referred to as Gazza, is a retired English professional footballer.Playing in the position of midfield, Gascoigne's career included spells at Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, Lazio, Rangers, Middlesbrough, Everton and Gansu Tianma, where he scored at least a goal...
, as a schoolboy at Pent Valley Secondary School in Folkestone, represented Kent Schools at football, and also played for England Schools at Under 18 level. He was a member of Norwich City's FA Youth Cup
FA Youth Cup
The Football Association Youth Challenge Cup is an English football competition run by The Football Association for under–18 sides. Only those players between the age of 15 and 18 on 31 August of the current season are eligible to take part...
winning team in 1983.
Of his early years at the club, he speaks of having to do the traditional apprentice roles, including getting the sandwiches for the senior players' lunch, adding that, "...if you got it wrong, you got a bollocking.."
Goss was mostly a squad or bench player up until the 1990-91 season where he became more regular in the starting lineup. His vastly improving form earned him a callup to the Welsh international team, and the start of the Premier League coincided with Goss's and Norwich's most productive period in the top flight in 1992-93. His stunning volleyed goal against Leeds United at Elland Road in the opening month of the 1993-94 season was voted "Goal of the month" on Match Of the Day, and to this day he describes it as technically the best goal he ever scored.. Goss scored six league goals during Norwich's first European season.
Munich tie
Goss scored spectacularly, most notably in Norwich City's away winBayern Munich v Norwich City
Bayern Munich vs Norwich City was a first leg match in the 1993–94 UEFA Cup second round, played on 20 October 1993. The match was won by Norwich City, who beat Bayern Munich 2–1....
over Bayern Munich in the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
, the first time notably that an English side had ever beaten Bayern at their home ground now frequently cited as Norwich's most famous win and goal- and again in the 1-1 return leg which put Norwich through. "There's no doubt Bayern assumed it would be easy."
Later career
He also has the distinction of scoring the last goal in front of the terraced Spion Kop at AnfieldAnfield
Anfield is an association football stadium in the district of Anfield, Liverpool, England, with a seating capacity of 45,522. It has been the home of Liverpool F.C. since their formation in 1892 and was originally the home of Everton F.C. from 1884 to 1892, before they moved to Goodison Park...
. He was awarded a testimonial during the 1993-94 season, which fittingly became his most successful season with the club.
Goss remained a regular until Norwich were relegated from the Premiership in the 1994-95 season. Upon Martin O'Neill's appointment as Norwich manager in 1995-96, Goss was initally was dropped into the reserves as the new manager was looking to trim the "Premier League" wage bill. He was later recalled and scored a spectacular goal on his return against Derby County.
All told, Goss made 188 league appearances for Norwich, scoring 14 goals. After leaving Norwich in 1996, Goss had spells at Heart of Midlothian
Heart of Midlothian F.C.
Heart of Midlothian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Gorgie, in the west of Edinburgh. They currently play in the Scottish Premier League and are one of the two principal clubs in the city, the other being Hibernian...
and Colchester United
Colchester United F.C.
Colchester United Football Club is an English football club based in Colchester. The club was formed in 1937, and briefly shared their old Layer Road home with now defunct side Colchester Town who had previously used the ground from 1910....
before signing for local non league side Kings Lynn. Goss retired from playing in 1999, and then worked for Norwich City as a community ambassador until January 2010, when the post was terminated; Goss declined an alternative role in the club's Football in the Community team. In March 2010, Goss returned to Norwich City to assist reserve team manager Ian Crook
Ian Crook
Ian Stuart Crook, is a former professional footballer who began his career with Tottenham Hotspur before making 418 appearances for Norwich City. He was an England B international.-Club career:...
.
Moving on from his association with Norwich City football club, Goss continues to deliver his own; humorous after dinner speeches, student development and as a Leadership and Motivational programmes.
Gossy currently spends most of his time in support of the Norfolk and Norwich Association of the Blind (www.NNAB.org.uk), raising funds to provide the range of services to the Blind people of Norwich and Norfolk. This has recently culminated in the 1300 mile sponsored bicycle ride, retracing the 1993 Norwich City European Cup run from Norwich to Vitesse Arnham, to Bayern Munich, to Inter Milan. Followed extensively on twitter #BacktoBayern and with a GPS tracking application on his site, affectionaly named "Where's Gossy" (http://www.jeremygoss.co.uk/wheres-gossy/).
All this in support of raising funds for the Blind and through donations at
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=JeremyGoss
Personal life
His wife Margaret gave birth to identical twins, three months premature:
"Within two hours of birth their weight had gone down to 2lb and it was touch and go. We lived in the hospital for six weeks and it was an emotional time when we took them home for the first time a few days before Christmas. Now they look like any normal seven-month old babies and for that we are very grateful."
Goss, with his father having served in the British Army, is also a member of the Forces2Canaries Supporters Group. In 2002, Norwich fans voted Goss into the club's Hall of Fame.