DOB: 19th December 1986
Dale debut: 7th December 2014 v Wycombe Wanderers 3-0
Also played for: Luton Town, Grimbsy Town, Bristol City, Crystal Palace, Brighton & Hove Albion, Millwall, Swindon Town, Leyton Orient, Port Vale, Mansfield Town, York City, Barrow
Time at Dale: 190 appearances (24 goals) Calvin signed a two year deal with Rochdale’s newly promoted League One team in July 2014 after impressing manager, Keith Hill, on a trial basis, this being the twelfth Club in a long EFL career. He scored 6 goals in 41 appearances in 2014/5 including the only goal of the match against former club Port Vale on 6th April 2015 with a header from a Callum Camps cross in the fifth minute of stoppage time. On 2nd January 2016, he scored a brace during a 3–0 win at Walsall securing himself a place on the Football League team of the week. Calvin scored 6 goals in 35 appearances in the 2015/6 season before signing a new one year contract in the summer. On 29th October 2016, an unfortunate incident saw him elbow an opponent in the face during a 1–0 win over Oldham Athletic at Spotland, missed by the referee but he was handed a 12 match suspension following a FA video review, however the suspension was later reduced to nine matches-the incident was a major surprise for all concerned as Calvin was not noted for being a villain on the pitch but generally regarded as hard but fair. He finished the 2016/7 season with 7 goals in 43 appearances and in December 2016 signed a contract extension until June 2018. He scored 5 goals in 40 appearances across the course of the 2017/8 campaign having signed a one year extension to his contract in November 2017 and then a further contract extension in June 2018 to keep him at the Club until 2020. He contributed 4 goals from 43 appearances during the 2018/9 campaign. Calvin was limited to just three league starts in the 2019/20 campaign before leaving in June 2020.
He was quoted “I’ve been at a few Clubs during my career, but the atmosphere and the working environment at Rochdale is brilliant. I get on with all the staff, the backroom staff and the players. It’s a real family Club-my Dad loves coming to games and he gets on with everyone as well, so there’s a good atmosphere for players and for people on and off the pitch”
After leaving Dale: Calvin joined League Two Club Barrow on 23rd March 2021 until the end of the season making his debut for the “Bluebirds” on 27th April, where a 2–0 win at Forest Green Rovers secured Football League status, however he departed Holker Street in the summer.
He started reporting on EFL League matches throughout the North of England and now hosts a Match Day programme for Manchester Radio that takes place on Saturdays and Tuesdays during the football league season combining his undoubted knowledge, personality and communication skills.
PFA Community Player of the Year: Calvin won the League One PFA Player in the Community Award in March 2020, following three successive awards at Rochdale and tipped to be the National Award Winner but cancelled through the advent of Covid, a huge disappointment. His contribution to the Community Trust and it’s extensive programmes in the local community saw him engaging with numerous participants taking part in Community projects in 2019, regularly attending school visits, football schools and working closely with the Rochdale AFC Ladies team. As player liaison for the Club and PFA Player Ambassador for Show Racism the Red Card, he also provided inspiration and support to the wider community.
Siobhan McElhinney, Assistant Head of Dale in the Community Sports Trust “Everyone connected with the Community Trust and Rochdale AFC is delighted that Calvin’s contribution to the local community has been fully recognised. His continued support to the Community Trust programme is second to none and he is fully deserving of this Award”
