For fans of rugby, Andy Goode is a name that needs no introduction. An ex-professional player with a career that stretched over more than 18 years, his is a name synonymous with the sport. Holding the second highest scoring tally in Premiership Rugby, after previously holding the record, Andy Goode’s reputation as a master of the sport is well deserved. Indeed, he loves the game so much that after retiring once he came back to enjoy a second stint before finally hanging up his boots for good.

Aside from his prestigious playing career, Goode became well known as a pundit and also for his personal life too, having not one hair transplant but two. He also became a father of twins; its seems that this isn’t a man who does anything by halves.

With his self deprecating sense of humour and his expansive knowledge of the game, Andy Goode is now as valuable off the field as on. When not bantering with fans on Twitter, he’s most often seen pitch side with a microphone, chatting on the popular podcast The Rugby Pod or commentating for BT Sport. 

The Perfect Professional

Starting out life as a scrum-half, Goode found his true calling when he switched to fly-half , joining up with Leicester Tigers when he was just a fresh-faced 18 year old in 1998. Despite being one of the youngest players in rugby union, he played an integral role in the Tigers hot streak of four successive titles in the Premiership, plus two Heineken cup victories too.

Other than a brief stint at Saracens between 2002-2003, Goode remained with the Tigers until 2008. During his time at the club he was nominated for the 2004-2005 Player of the Season, and also the PRA Player’s Player of the Year. During the same season his fellow Tiger players and club members voted him as their player of the year.

This success was only to be topped in 2008 when Andy Goode’s name knocked off England hero Jonny Wilkinson from the top spot, claiming the all time scoring record in the English Premiership. He has since been nudged into second place, but remains of the top scorers the league has ever seen.

Unstoppable…

After leaving the Tigers, Goode went on to play for four more clubs: Brive in France and the Sharks in South Africa, before returning home to don the colours of Worcester Warriors and finally London Wasps.

During these years, Goode also managed to notch up a number of international caps too, playing for England Saxons five times and England 17 times, scoring 107 points for the latter.

At the end of the 2015 season, London Irish were expecting to welcome Goode into the fold but injuries forced the then-35 year old into early retirement. London Irish released him from his contract and pundits, coaches and players alike all thought they’d seen the last of the talented fly-half on the pitch.

He said in an interview with the Telegraph,

“I couldn’t go on and thought I would retire as gracefully as I could. I settled into a life without rugby, had fixed up a job with a foreign exchange in the City and was enjoying walking the dog and watching my daughter Ella-Grace play lacrosse,”

However, just nine months later after having botox treatment, Goode returned.

Goode underwent a treatment of botulinum toxin – usually used for cosmetic purposes has proven to ease athletic injuries and help relax the muslces.

“I wouldn’t be back playing without the injection,” said Goode, who has kicked 48 points in five games. “I’m really enjoying playing and, incredibly, I don’t have any pain in my left knee which at times was excruciating.”

Joining the Newcastle Falcons as injury cover for Ruki Tipuna and Mike Delaney, he took his place on the field for a further three months. The 57 points he scored during his seven appearances were instrumental in saving the Falcons from relegation, earning him a nomination for Aviva Premiership Player of the Year. Goode finally hung up his boots – for the second and last time – after playing on 27 March 2016.

The Devoted Dad

A quick flip through Goode’s Twitter feed reveals far more than the typical pundit banter with fans. Since leaving the game, Goode hasn’t rested on his laurels, and not only proposed to now-fiancee Carolin, but also became the proud father of twin girls.

Despite looking like the stereotypical rugby player, and often spotted in press conferences with a beer in his hand, it seems Goode has a particularly soft side that he’s happy to share. On 29 March 2016 he posted a romantic picture after he popped the question to the beautiful Carolin and his social media contains a steady stream of photos of his oldest daughter and his twin babies, Isabella and Olivia.

As well as being a professional pundit, Goode has carved out a career in finance, drawing on his experiences overseas to work in the foreign currency market. This leaves him plenty of time to spend at home with his young family, and judging by his Twitter feed, he’s relishing the experience.

From Sport to Finance

“Retiring from playing rugby to working in the financial industry was quite a big step… Going from carrying your boots to training, and playing every weekend to wearing a suit Monday to Friday took some adjusting.”

Says Andy Goode*

Currently Andy Goode has taken to the world of finance at the currency and international payments specialists, Moneycorp. Here Andy is Head of Strategic Sales.

In his role, the former England fly-half has the responsibility to develop the company’s network of corporate and high-net worth clients. His clients seek support with international payments, managing any risk associated with foreign exchange and also hedging strategies.

Looking Sharp

While he was playing the game, Goode wasn’t exactly renowned for his appearance. With his portly build and receding hairline, he often looked older than his years.

However, while some players decline after they retire from sport, the opposite seems to have happened to the ex fly-half. He’s not only looking trimmer than he has for a long time, he also seems to have grown a new crop of hair.

Goode’s healthy locks have transformed his appearance so completely that one female rugby co-presenter couldn’t resist having a little tug to test it out. (In case you’re wondering, she didn’t manage to dislodge a single strand but had her hand slapped away for the cheekiness!)

The hair transplants were carried out by Landmark Hair Loss Clinic (www.landmarkhair.com), and Goode was keen to go public about the procedure. With many men denying hair transplants, Goode has been a refreshing breath of honesty, with his insistence that a hair transplant isn’t anything to be embarrassed about.

Goode was so keen to dispel both the stigma and the myths surrounding the hair transplant procedure that he consented to be filmed while the surgeon worked. Goode can be seen in his own inimitable style watching a tablet, seemingly relaxed, while the hair transplant takes place.

Twice As Larger Than Life

Andy Goode was a real character during his years on the field, collecting an astounding number of accolades and playing for both club and country. His irrevocable sense of humour and willingness to share his knowledge have made him a firm fans’ favourite as a pundit since retiring from playing. And with adorable baby twin girls, a sporty daughter, a beautiful partner and a more youthful experience, it’s little wonder than Andy Goode is someone who really does seem like he has life sorted.

If you would like to talk to Andy about his work at Moneycorp, please get in touch with him here andy.goode@moneycorp.com 

 •  Quote from an interview with IBtimesUK

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