Steve Whitehall came back to the Crown Oil Arena on Saturday to entertain diners prior to kick off for the match against Solihull Moors.
These are his memories of time at Rochdale from 1991-97, where according to Wikipedia, he made 235 football league appearances, scoring 74 goals before being transferred to Mansfield Town.
My debut was on the opening game of the season 1991/2, I think against York city, we drew 1-1 and I was substituted and there was only one in those days.
First goal was in the Rumblelows Cup against Carlisle, where we won 4-1, I scored two goals followed by my first Football League goal in a Tuesday night midweek game against Rotherham with a header!!!
Last appearance was last game of the 19967 season, where 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 so I was sold to Mansfield Town.
Favourite memories of playing for Dale, probably the best day and worst moments were on the same day playing against 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, 0-7 defeat.
I’m currently working for the NHS having qualified as a physiotherapist in 1999 and in my spare time I play at Alder Root Golf Club trying to bring my handicap down.