Ben Muirhead, the legend who’s converted penalty took Dale to the Football League Two Play Off Final at Wembley 2008, is the latest ex-player to be invited to hospitality at the Crown Oil Arena tomorrow for the home match against Hartlepool United.
DOB: 5th January 1983
Also played for: Manchester United, Doncaster Rovers, Bradford City, Alfreton Town, Farsley Celtic, Kings Lynn, Harrogate Town
Time at Dale: Excerpt from Rochdale FansNetwork Right winger Ben Muirhead signed for Dale permanently in June 2007 after a successful loan spell earlier in the year at Spotland. It was possibly the worst kept secret around that Ben was keen to return to Spotland and we were keen to have him but with rumoured interest from a number of other League Two Clubs, it was with relief when it was announced that he had joined on a full time basis. He originally arrived at Spotland on loan in February, after bringing in right wingers such as William Mocquet and Kelvin Etuhu and then losing them all too easily, it would have be very easy to be thinking that the replacement for them was very much a third choice player and just the best of what was left. How wrong we were!!! Arguably, when he was brought in on loan from Bradford City, he was the most successful of the lot and seemed to gel with the rest of the squad since pretty much his first day at the Club. The former Manchester United trainee had been at Bradford City for four years, but following an injury, could not get himself back into the side, the Bantams were continuing their slide towards League Two but they felt that he was surplus to requirements and off he went to Rochdale. His impact started from day one with a late winner against Notts County followed up by a succession of fine performances. Quick and skilful, he also showed his willingness to graft for the side by tackling back. He followed up his debut goal with a brace in the 7-2 mauling of Stockport County and he formed a bizarre partnership with fellow winger, Adam Rundle where they seemed to follow each other all over the pitch on occasions. Indeed, the rave reviews continued whilst Bradford City carried on with their descent through the League and eventually, caretaker manager David Weatherall recalled him in a last gasp bid to avoid the inevitable following a succession of injuries at Valley Parade, however, it was probably the most pointless recall of all time, as he was allowed just twelve minutes on the pitch back at Valley Parade and that was after relegation had already been mathematically confirmed.
He was released again at the end of the 2006/7 season and all the rumours of a return to Spotland proved to be true when he put pen to paper on a permanent deal to the delight of the Dale faithful.
But as a permanent signing, it just didn’t click with that spark which had been there the season before sadly missing and he looked a shadow of the player that he’d been before. It wasn’t completely doom and gloom but he left fans scratching their heads when he was head and shoulders above anyone when we took on Championship leaders Norwich City and it was he who scored the winning penalty to take Dale to Wembley for the very first time but it wasn’t enough and he was transfer listed by Keith Hill at the end of the season.