The yachtsman from Sheffield who has supported United since childhood is today on top of the world after winning Britain's 13th gold of the Olympic Games in Beijing.
And the club is planning to get Paul and his medal to a home game at Bramall Lane as soon as possible - fulfilling a promise when team manager Kevin Blackwell went sailing with Paul earlier this year.
Goodison, aged 28, went into today's final race of his Laser class with a virtually unassailable lead - needing only to keep a close watch on his nearest rival Rasmus Myrgren from Sweden who had to win and Goodison finish last of 10 boats. Instead it was Myrgren who finished at the back, with Goodison one place ahead of him. to trigger emotional celebrations with his family, team mates and support crew.
"With conditions so tricky there was only one way to ensure I got gold and that's what I did," said the Briton. "It's been a testing week and I've hung in, I delivered yesterday which made it easier today."
Goodison took Kevin Blackwell and ex-Blades boss Neil Warnock sailing off the Isle of Wight in the Round the Island race.
At the time he said: "It would be great if I won gold and then United got promoted back to the Premier League. And to go on the pitch before a match would be brilliant."
Kevin Blackwell adds: "He's a Blade and we're all very proud of him. We hope our win over QPR at the weekend gave him a little bit of inspiration, and we're very much looking forward to him coming to Bramll Lane and having a look around before being presented to the fans.
"He will deserve a standing ovation for his fantastic achievment, particuarly after his disappointment in athens four years ago."
Sheffield-born Goodison learned to sail on a Rotherham reservoir - about as far from the sea as it gets in England - because he got injured playing football at 12.
Paul said: "My parents joined a sailing club in Rotherham but as a kid all I wanted to do was play football. "My cousins were United fans and I used to go on the Kop at Bramall Lane with them.
"I played for a couple of boys' teams but had an injury and when I came back I was on the bench for a few weeks.
"Dad said 'I'm not bringing you here and missing my sailing to watch you sit on the bench'. He said we weren't going any more. So I took up sailing.
Sheffield united chairman Kevin McCabe: "This is a remarkable performance from Paul. We were willing him on to win especially after the heartache of Athens four years ago when he just missed out on a medal.
"Paul will be our very special guest at Bramall Lane when all Blades will give him the reception he so richly deserves."
