Name: Barry Diamond
DOB: 20th February 1960
Dale debut: Hereford United – 25th August 1984
Last game: Scunthorpe United – 23rd November 1985
Also played for: Barrow, Workington Town, Oulun Palloseura (Finland) Stockport County, Halifax Town, Wrexham, Gainsborough Trinity, Morecambe, Colne Dynamoes, Mossley, Hyde United, Altrincham, Chorley, Rossendale United, Horwich RMI, Hellenic (South Africa)
Time at Dale: I made my Dale debut against Hereford United (Keith Hicks says he marked me out of the game but I’m not too sure!!!) having played previously under Vic Halom at Barrow in the North Premier League, where I scored 41 goals from 57 games before Rochdale decided to pay £3,000 for my services. There was a major influx of players including Les Lawrence, Ged Keegan, Steve Edwards, Paul Heaton, Keith Hanvey and Joe Cooke and things were looking really good for the new season. I scored 18 league goals in that season out of 43 appearances when I teamed up with Steve Taylor, who signed in November. In my second season, I only played in 9 matches scoring 1 goal as Ronnie Moore was recruited by the manager so moved on to Halifax Town.
Favourite memories of playing for Dale: Not really a favourite memory but one that a few older fans may remember when I played against Rochdale for Stockport County as I was loaned out to them by Vic Halom, this wouldn’t happen now but back in the day, he decided I would be ok as I wasn’t in his first team plans.
Apparently I was involved in an incident that saw Joe Cooke being sent off and instrumental in two disputed penalty decisions in a 3-0 victory. All I can say is that I was just doing my job as a professional footballer at County and yes I certainly wound up Joe before he lashed out at me but maybe he should have known better!!!!
What are you doing since leaving Dale?: These days I’m a self-employed roofing contractor attaining the dizzy heights again plus enjoy being a member at Tunshill Golf Club.
