Query for Rochdale or Stoke collectors

[bisphamseasider]

Amongst a pile of programmes I acquired last year is a single sheet for a match between Rochdale and Stoke City dated 1st January 1981 with an 11.00 am kick-off.

It is not a league fixture or a cup tie and I doubt it was a friendly as both clubs played full programmes over Christmas (26/12 and 27/12) and New Year (3/1).

I presume therefore it is for a Central League match.

Can anyone confirm please?

[oldbolt]

Rochdale and Stoke reserves weren't in the same league in 80/81, I don't know but think Rochdale reserves were in the Lancashire League which was made up mostly of the bigger Lancs clubs A teams.I don't think Stoke had teams in the Lancashire League.

A long shot could be a Youth Cup tie but i'd guess at a reserves friendly.11 am on New Years Day would be a strange time to have a first team friendly

[goonerboy]

can you list some of the names on the teamsheet as might help

[bisphamseasider]

Here's a scan of the sheet, a few familiar names on there.

Not a youth game in view of the age of some of the players.

Probably a reserves friendly as oldbolt says although I am sure some of these would have been involved with the 1st team games over the holiday period.

Just spotted a big clue as I uploaded the scan.

The referee is from Rochdale.

Must be a friendly then.

Thanks chaps for your interest.

[goodison]

Not sure if this helps but pretty sure in 1980/1 teams only had 1 substitute in competitive games, so as 15 players are listed then seems like a friendly of some sort.

[grantham]

No mention of it on the Rochdale home programme from 17/01/1981

[BAZZABAGGIES]

Dave Clarke Football programmes sponsor now thers a blast from the past.

Anyone remember these dealers.
Suitcase Ellis or Alan Clegg from Accrington


STOKE FRIENDLIES 1980/1.
Match Opponent Venue Result
1 Telford United A 3 – 1
2 Linfield A 4 – 1
3 Cardiff City A 1 – 3
4 Newport County A 1 – 1
5 Port Vale A 1 – 1
6 Derby County H 4 – 3
7 AEK Athens A 2 – 2
8 Rochdale A 4 – 0 *********************
9 Rotherham United A 0 – 0
10 Bideford A 6 – 0
11 Lewes A 5 – 0

[dj0505]

Sold an old Accrington Stanley shirt to Alan Clegg, hes now living out in Spain.

Did a fair bit with Alan, before and after his "break".

may people seemed to have trouble dealing with him, but I always had a great trading relationship with him.
_________________
Please check out my website www.duncanjardine.co.uk

[BAZZABAGGIES]

He used to charge £60 for 1944/5 programmes in the early 1980s

[dj0505]

Some of his prices were off the wall werent they !!
_________________
Please check out my website www.duncanjardine.co.uk

[PaulRStoke]

As Bazza pointed out, it was a friendly. It is a fairly common prorgamme/teamsheet.

Stoke had home games against Coventry (league) on 27 Dec and Wolves (FA Cup) 3 Jan, so obvoiusly fancied a new years day jaunt!

Paul

[bisphamseasider]

Thanks Bazza and Paul for confirming the nature of this game.

I am surprised they wanted to squeeze another game in between Christmas and New Year although I suppose it was tradition for many years to have a New Years Day game and if dates didn't allow a league fixture some clubs arranged their own game.

Might not happen today though.

[Ruud Van Driver]

Perhaps it was just a case of the manager at the time Alan Durban guaranteeing that his players didn't enjoy New Years Eve too much, there were a couple in the Stoke side at the time that enjoyed a pint or nine.

An 11am kick-off at Rochdale would've meant a 5 or 6am get up!
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