Homegrown Heroes

FOOTBALL HISTORIAN LEIGH EDWARDS PROFILES TEN NOTABLE PLAYERS WHO PROGRESSED THROUGH THE RANKS AT ROCHDALE

FRANK LORD

GEOFF THOMAS

Young centre-forward Frank Lord topped Rochdale's goalscoring charts in 1956-57. Signing professional for Rochdale in October 1953, he netted 54 goals in 122 League games before moving to Crewe Alexandra in July 1961. He was leading marksman in their 1962-63 promotion success and joined Plymouth Argyle in November 1963. Top scorer in 1963-64, he starred as they reached the League Cup semi-finals in 1964-65. Joining Stockport County in February 1966, he had spells with Blackburn Rovers and Chesterfield before returning to Plymouth in October 1967. He held many coaching posts and died in Cape Town, South Africa, in June 2005.

DAVID CROSS

Striker David Cross scored in Rochdale's shock 1970-71 FA Cup third round win over top-flight Coventry City. Signing professional at Spotland in August 1969, he netted 20 goals in 59 League games for Rochdale before moving to Norwich City in October 1971. He helped win the Second Division title in 1971-72 and was a League Cup finalist in 1973. Joining Coventry City in November 1973, he then moved via West Brom to West Ham in December 1977 and spearheaded further promotion and Cup glory. Later playing for Manchester City, Oldham Athletic, Bolton Wanderers and Bury, he has since been a financial broker and Oldham's youth team boss.

GEOFF THOMAS

Midfielder Geoff Thomas was capped nine times by England after leaving Rochdale. Discovered playing for nearby Littleborough, he turned professional with Rochdale in August 1982 and scored once in 11 League outings prior to joining Crewe Alexandra in March 1984. He moved to Crystal Palace in June 1987, starring as they won promotion in 1988-89, were FA Cup finalists in 1990 and ZDS Cup winners in 1991. Sold to Wolves for £800,000 in June 1993, he joined Nottingham Forest in July 1997 and helped win the First Division title in 1997-98, then played for Barnsley, Notts County and Crewe again. He is Patron of the charity Cure Leukaemia.

Midfielder Shaun Reid helped Rochdale to reach the Auto Windscreens Shield northern final in 1994-95. The younger brother of England international Peter Reid, he turned professional with Rochdale in September 1983 and was loaned to Preston before joining York City in December 1988. He became their captain and rejoined Rochdale in August 1992, scoring 14 goals in 240 League games overall. Moving to Bury in July 1995, he featured in their 1995-96 promotion success. He joined Chester in December 1996 and helped reach the Third Division play-offs in 1996-97, then played for Leigh RMI before managing Prescot Cables and Warrington.

DAVE BAYLISS

Central defender Dave Bayliss missed just four matches for Rochdale in 2000-01. A former trainee at Spotland, he made his League debut in Rochdale’s 2-2 draw at home to Barnet two months before turning professional in CALLUM CAMPS June 1995. He scored nine goals in 186 League games for Dale prior to joining Luton Town in December 2001. Helping the Hatters to clinch promotion that season, he moved to Wrexham in July 2005 and briefly rejoined Rochdale on loan in February 2006. He had a spell with Lancaster City before joining Barrow and was joint-manager with Darren Sheridan, plotting their 2007-08 promotion success and 2010 FA Trophy final triumph.

MATT GILKS

Goalkeeper Matt Gilks was capped three times by Scotland after leaving Rochdale. Born locally, he made his League debut in Rochdale’s 1-1 draw at Chesterfield four months before turning professional in July 2001. He helped Dale qualify for the Third Division play-offs in 2001-02 and was ever-present in two consecutive seasons, making 176 League appearances. Moving to Norwich City in July 2007, he joined Blackpool in July 2008 and helped win promotion to the top-flight in 2009-10. He then had spells at Burnley, Glasgow Rangers, Wigan Athletic, Scunthorpe United, Lincoln City and Fleetwood, becoming Bolton’s goalkeeping coach.

PADDY McCOURT

Skilful winger Paddy McCourt gained the first of his 18 Northern Ireland caps while at Rochdale. He turned professional at Spotland in February 2002 and helped Dale reach the Third Division play-offs that season, netting eight goals in 79 League games before joining Shamrock Rovers in March 2005. Moving to hometown Derry, he starred as they won the League of Ireland Cup three times and FAI Cup in 2006. He joined Celtic in June 2008 and helped win all three major Scottish honours, then reunited with Dave Flitcroft at Barnsley in August 2013. Later with Brighton, Luton, Glenavon and Finn Harps, he returned to Derry as head of youth.

JOE THOMPSON

Winger Joe Thompson had three spells at Rochdale. Born locally, he was a scholar at Spotland and made his League debut in Rochdale’s 2-0 defeat at home to Carlisle in May 2006. He turned professional in July 2007 and helped Dale qualify for the League Two play-offs in two consecutive seasons, then win promotion in 2009-10. Joining Tranmere Rovers in August 2012, he was loaned back to Rochdale before reuniting with Dave Flitcroft at Bury in August 2014. He moved via Carlisle United back to Rochdale in August 2016 and netted 19 goals in 180 League games overall. After battling cancer, he was forced to hang up his boots in February 2019.

JAMIE ALLEN

Midfielder Jamie Allen featured prominently in Rochdale’s 2013-14 promotion success. Born locally, he progressed through the ranks at Spotland and was shortlisted for League Two ‘Apprentice of the Year’ before turning professional in July 2013. He made his League debut in Rochdale’s 3-0 victory at home to Newport County three months later and was an influential figure in their 2014-15 FA Cup third round victory at home to Nottingham Forest. Appointed captain, he netted 11 goals in 133 League games prior to joining Burton Albion in August 2017. Moving to Coventry City in June 2019, he helped them win the League One title in 2019-20.

CALLUM CAMPS

Northern Ireland U-21 midfielder Callum Camps helped Rochdale take Tottenham Hotspur to an FA Cup fifth round replay in 2017-18. He graduated from the youth team at Spotland and was given his League debut as a substitute in Rochdale’s 2-2 draw at home to Port Vale five months before turning professional in September 2013. Making his full first-team debut in their 1-0 FA Cup third round victory at home to Nottingham Forest in January 2015, he also helped Rochdale to reach the fourth round in 2016-17 and missed just two matches that season. He netted 25 goals in 197 League games for Dale prior to joining Fleetwood Town in August 2020.