http://spiritofcarlton.com/blog/2011/06 ... -birthday/

It is with great pleasure that the Spirit of Carlton Past and Present wishes John Goold a happy 70th birthday. We hope that all involved in John's life enjoy this wonderful milestone. John is a great friend of the Spirit of Carlton and has generously given his time for many of our events over the years. It would be great for those of you young enough to remember John's playing days to share your memories.

Career : 1963 - 1970
Debut : Round 7, 1963 vs Footscray, aged 21 years, 338 days
Carlton Player No. 754
Games : 108
Goals : 3
Last Game : Grand Final, 1970 vs Collingwood, aged 29 years, 90 days
Guernsey No. 11
Height : 184 cm (6 ft ½ in.)
Weight : 76 kg (12 stone, 0 lbs.)
DOB : June 27, 1941
Premiership Player 1968, 1970
All Australian 1966

A brilliant, flamboyant, two-time Premiership player for Carlton during the Barassi years in the ‘swingin’ sixties,’ John William Crosbie Goold became almost as famous for his dapper appearance off the field, as for his exploits on it. At the height of his football career, he was also a prominent ladies fashion designer – which led to him being dubbed ‘Mr Elegance’ by leading football commentator Lou Richards. Supporters and team-mates however, called him ‘Rags’ or ‘Ragsy,’ because of his involvement in the clothing, or ‘rag’ trade.



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The Spirit of Carlton compels you!

He retired long before I was born, but as a bit of a Carlton historical buff - he's always been a bit of a legend in my eyes...equally for his off-field exploits.



Hopefully his son - yes, son - follows in his illustrious footsteps.

The ghost began with a story about John because any memories I have of my childhood its with Jezza, Ragsy and Big Nick. I still remember my first set of ankle guards - And I spent a lot of time practising the Ragsy style drop punt, no one, but no one, has ever kicked a football like Ragsy - If Nureyev played football he would have kicked like Ragsy. Ragsy was tough and a great defender but when he ran and then kicked, well my little boy heart just flipped. There will never be another player as unique as Ragsy.

I remember hearing him chatting about his love of the sport of fox hunting - and laughing cos in a way, that's how he played football, like he was bounding over fences, leaping creeks and climbing mountains and the football was the sly fox and could not evade Ragsy's steely endeavour. I saw him standing on the street corner the other week and I became that little boy, again, in awe at seeing his hero. How I wanted to go up to my idol and hsake his hand but alas my little boy heart was always too shy to deal with heroes, I slipped on past but inside I was seven again and Ragsy was flying free across Princes park, his white bands flying bright in the low winter sun.

Happy birthday John Goold

and thank-you

nothing I write compares to the artistry that was you on the football field.

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This type of slight is alien in the more cultured part of the world - Walsh. Its up there with mad dogs, Englishmen and the midday sun!

happy b'day ragsy,

I remember meeting Mr gould in early 70's when my dad was in rag trade and used to supply trimmings to him. i was like this thrilled 7 year old all excited to meet a ex carlton player

https://www.carltonfc.com.au/news/15698 ... 1ixgyDp7Ea

RIP John 'Ragsy' Goold

He was before my time but my father spoke very highly of him. He's come up in conversation on this forum several times over the years, whenever talk turns to who were the great players of our club.

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#DonTheStash

Was one of my heroes as a little tacker and I had his number 11 on my jumper, even if Big Nick and Jezza were my 2 idols. When he retired and they handed the number to Bruce Doull I wrote to the club complaining about giving the great man's number to an untried kid. He was in the fashion trade and later very big in polo and horse breeding. Many years later I had the honour of doing some work for him and he was a very modest and self-effacing man who only mentioned his football record because it was relevant to the legal issue at hand. RIP Ragsy.

Over to you Danny…

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“When a clown moves into a palace, he doesn't become a king. The palace turns into a circus.”
Turkish Proverb

Oh dear, Ragsy was a terrific player, agile and creative style, and a great kick as well. Fond memories of seeing him play .

Might want to check the dates Heady…

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“When a clown moves into a palace, he doesn't become a king. The palace turns into a circus.”
Turkish Proverb

Oh, woopsy!!

My all time favourite player - no player has ever played the game like Ragsy, no one ever will. he captured that whole wild spirit of the 60's with the way he played, the long hair, the wrist bands, the unique kicking style. We had better win on Sunday!
R.I.P Ragsy, I wish now I had sold you that coat of mine way back in the day...

Great great player!

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This type of slight is alien in the more cultured part of the world - Walsh. Its up there with mad dogs, Englishmen and the midday sun!

I was born in the forties , grew up in the fifties and sixties . We weren't much chop then and it wasn't the thing to be a Blues supporter . And then George Harris came along and got Ron Barassi to the Club and all of a sudden everything changed . There was excitement and optimism in the air . As well as the old stagers " Big Nick " and Serge the new breed of player started to come into the Club . And no two players personified that more than Brent Crosswell and John " Ragsy " Goold . Flamboyant and mercurial , sheer excitement machines they were . And those traits followed them off the field into everyday life . Barassi , Crosswell , and Ragsy were everywhere and making headlines on a virtually daily basis . The Carlton Football Club was now front-page news like never before . Thanks Ragsy for helping make what the modern day Carlton Football Club is today . No single person is more important than any other in our great Club , but just quietly between you and me some have added a touch more gloss than others and Ragsy was truely one of those .

Rest in BLUE HEAVEN .

The Carlton Football Club ................... NOW ALWAYS FOREVER .

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All my dangerous friends

Thank you all for sharing great memories... Much appreciated!

Go Blues

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“Every single element of the Club has to be the best in the league, meticulously and methodically, and only by doing this will we be elite and challenge for number 17.”
Greg Lee

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“When a clown moves into a palace, he doesn't become a king. The palace turns into a circus.”
Turkish Proverb

One of my boyhood heroes Ragsy ...... Memory etched with the number 11 running down the field with ball tucked under one arm.
Rest in Peace

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"IF YOU FAIL TO PREPARE, YOU'RE PREPARED TO FAIL" - Mark Spitz