FPA#2: Peter Farrell

We continue our Former Players by adding midfielder Peter Farrell to our ranks as he becomes Former Player number 2 to sign up with us.

Name: Peter Farrell

DOB: 10th January 1957

Dale debut: Darlington 3 Dale 0 – 28.8.82

Last game: Tranmere 3 Dale 1 – 29.9.84

Also played for: Bury, Port Vale, Doncaster, Shrewsbury, Crewe, Vastra Frolunda, Norriby, Keflavik, Hamilton, Apoel, Barrow

Time at Dale: Signed for Peter Madden, one of three major signings in the summer of 1982 having played for Bury (54 league appearances) and Port Vale (89 appearances). He was highly rated as a schoolboy playing for Liverpool Boys and Lancashire Schools sides. Prior to losing a year due to injury, he was lined up to a first division team whilst at Bury before moving to Rochdale where he missed only three games in the 1982/3 season scoring eight goals from midfield finishing second in the goal scoring chart. For the following season he scored 10 goals in the first half before an injury curtailed the rest of his appearances although he remained joint top scorer.

Favourite memories of playing for Dale: There were a lot of favourite memories but the one where we avoided re-election playing Tranmere Rovers away needing a point to guarantee our stay in the league. I felt like I’d played my best football with Rochdale in those two seasons playing 73 times scoring 17 goals.

What are you doing since leaving Dale?:He moved to Crewe Alexandra after a contract dispute with Rochdale and also played in Scotland, Iceland and Cyprus as well as appearing in the FA Trophy for Barrow. Peter moved in coaching at numerous Clubs including Bolton Wanderers and Blackpool plus scouting at Brentford then assistant manager under Uwe Rosler. At Blackpool, he was responsible for the development of players like Rickie Lambert before moving into social care having become disillusioned with professional football.