We’ve added our third former player to our ranks by adding the one and only Steve Whitehall.
Name: Steve Whitehall
DOB: 8th December 1966
Dale debut: York City – 1991
Last game: Lincoln City – 1996
Also played for: Mansfield Town, Oldham Athletic, Chester City, Nuneaton Borough, Southport, Marine, Bamber Bridge, plus Northwich Victoria & Southport as physio/caretaker manager
Time at Dale: Debut was on the opening game of the season 1991, I think against York city, we drew one all and I was substituted and there was only one in those days. First goal was in the Rumblelows Cup against Carlisle, we won 4-1 where I scored two goals. First league goal was in a Tuesday night midweek game against Rotherham, I scored again with a header!! Last appearance was last game of the 1996 season when I sat on the bench and watched as Rochdale lost to Lincoln, who won promotion. I loved my time at the Dale as it was my first contract as a professional footballer following eighteen months playing for Southport and at the same time working as Executive Officer for the Civil Service, so to leave full time work and part time football to just play football was fantastic, best job ever. Getting into the first team for the start of my first season was brilliant but being relegated to substitute towards the end of the season was a bit disappointing, there was some rumours about if I scored too many goals more money would have to be paid to Southport. By the start of the second season I was first team regular and had a run of consecutive games, which I believe was at least hundred also had a run of five seasons as the Club’s leading scorer.
Favourite memories of playing for Dale: Probably the best day and worst moments were on the same day and game, playing Liverpool at Anfield in the third round of the FA Cup up against a full strength team, it was most memorable against two England defenders. This also transpired as my worst result in professional football
What are you doing since leaving Dale?: I am currently working for Wigan, Wrightington and Leigh NHS Trust as AHP having qualified as a physiotherapist in 1999. In my spare time I play at Alder Root Golf Club, where I’m currently spending a lot of my leisure time following an ankle replacement with golf being a favourite pastime. I’m currently playing off nine and trying to get hack down to pro levels of around seven, at the moment I’m Vice-captain and will be Captain next year.