[2][3] Goodall made 424 appearances and scored 52 goals (Football League & FA Cup) for Derby County.
[5] As a youth, Archie played for several clubs in the North-West of England and Derby County, including Everton.
Archie Goodall, playing at inside – forward, made his League debut on 15 September 1888, at Dudley Road, the then home of Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Archie was as rumbustious, as his brother John was gentle and he only stayed at Preston North End until 30 September 1888.
[6][7][8] Archie Goodall' move from Preston North End was the first transfer during a season to be approved by the Football League.
Goodall scored both Villa goals against Wolverhampton Wanderers in a 2 – 1 win at Wellington Road on 24 November 1888.
Together with Steve Bloomer, the Goodall brothers formed the backbone of a County side that regularly challenged for top honours over the following decade.
Goodall had to wait for the Irish FA to change its rules governing the selection of non-resident players before he made his international debut for Ireland on 4 March 1899 as they beat Wales 1–0 in Belfast.
On 28 March 1903 he scored the opening goal in a 2–0 win against Wales, helping Ireland clinch a share in the 1903 British Home Championship.
His team mates while playing for Ireland included Jack Kirwan, Billy Scott, Billy McCracken and Robert Milne, After leaving Derby County in May 1903 Goodall briefly joined Plymouth Argyle before becoming player-manager at Glossop North End in January 1904.
He was 41 years and 153 days old when he made his final league appearance for Wolves on 2 December 1905 against Everton, making him the oldest player ever to play for that club.
After retiring as a player, Goodall travelled Europe and the United States as part of a strongman act before settling in London, where he lived out his remaining years.