Keith made his debut for the hospitality package at Rochdale v Dagenham & Redbridge on Saturday 17th August, entertaining diners pre-match about his time at the Dale back in the 1980’s as a player followed by the setting up of the extremely successful Rochdale AFC Community Trust (formerly Football in the Community) then half time appearance on the pitch picking out winner numbers for the Club’s 50/50 draw. Other ex-players are scheduled to visit the Crown Oil Arena at home matches as part of the Formers Player’s Association activities.
Keith’s story: Signed in July 1985, making 32 appearances, scoring a solitary goal after making his league debut against Aldershot, which saw him sustaining ankle and knee ligament injuries that took eight weeks to recover at a Club having no full time physio meaning morning rehab sessions at Rochdale Infirmary under Club Director, Mike Mace, who worked there.
Last ever professional match against Crewe Alexandra, first game of the following season with a serious pelvic injury seeing him retiring from professional football, which in modern days would have been only 6-8 weeks rehab. He wondered whether it may have been a record being stretchered off twice in the first game of consecutive season?
Biggest highlight would have to be playing in the FA Cup 3rd round against Manchester United at Old Trafford after numerous postponements, marking Mark Hughes before being replaced by Jesper Olsen, thinking he was being protected by Ron Atkinson before eventually signing for Barcelona at the end of season for £1M – was he on commission?
Memories also included scoring a goal in the fog at Mansfield Town, witnessed by hardly anyone including manager, Vic Halom, who when asked “who scored our second goal” replied with “Keith? he never scores” – cheers gaffer!!!!!
Keith spoke about facilities at Rochdale AFC, observing that the Main Stand roof was riddled with holes so often players soaked in herbal baths after training in the autumn with the amount of fallen leaves that had accumulated. Also spoke about travel arrangements, which once saw an evening match at Southend United being undertaken on the same day as no overnight stay due to financial issues at the Club resulting in a 0-5 defeat and having returned back to Spotland approximately 3am, all players except the two strikers being informed were playing for the Reserves against Morecambe on that morning, 11.00am kick off.
Reflecting on retirement from professional football leading to 33 years involved with Football in the Community, a PFA initiative that morphed into the Comunnity Trust, he outlined the many programmes benefiting diverse community groups in Rochdale, highlights being early development of Jamie Allen, Ethan Brierley, Joe Thompson, Scott Warner on school programmes plus Fabio Tavares on a Premier League Kicks plus Keira Walsh’s early start into football after soccer schools and after schools sessions at Healey with Siobhan McElhinney, described as a role model by Keira’s mum, Tracey.
Other roles at the Club included Centre of Excellence (Academy) Director, Youth Team Assistant Manager, Kit man at Football League away matches, First Team Scout, recommending Ricky Lambert when he played for Macclesfield plus now sitting on Dale Trust Board.
All in all, a connection with Rochdale AFC of over thirty nine years, fully enjoyable and extremely satisfying!!!!!!!!!!
