goudie joined third lanark on 31 december 1896. he then played for rangers before joining partick thistle on 1 august 1899. he made 36 scottish league appearances, and three in the scottish cup, for thistle. he had been due to play in the scottish cup first round match against galston on 13 january 1900. the club had arranged with the caledonian railway for the train carrying the team to stop at gorbals to pick up goudie and john blackwood, but it did not stop.