Friday 4 June 2010

34 Steve Conroy


Apologies to Steve for the context. He is conceding the winner at Aldershot (26.11.83) . The other Dale players are L-R Mike Doyle, Les Chapman (I think) and Bob Oates.
Giorgio Mazzon is the Aldershot player.


Position: Goalkeeper

Played : 1983-4 to 1984-5

Appearances : 49

Goals : 0

Steve was the first signing of the close season. He had made over 100 appearances for Sheffield United playing in all but one game in the 1978-9 season but never establishing himself as first choice.

Steve was a good competent keeper and needed to be. He won the Supporters Player of the Year in 1983-4 and was probably Jimmy Greenhoff's best signing though neither position was hotly contested. Steve's most memorable moment came in our FA Cup First Round game at home to Crewe. As the ref blew for half time one of Crewe's scrotes got over the barrier and tried to nick his gloves case. I didn't see what happened next but the allegation was that Steve was a bit over-zealous in retrieving it. The second half kick off was delayed while the police dithered over whether to arrest him. In the end he came out and maintained his clean sheet as he did in the League game at Gresty Road where he completed a hat-trick of shutouts against them in a poisonous atmosphere.

Unfortunately Steve fell victim to Vic Halom's scorched earth attitude to the players he inherited. He was injured three games into 1984-5 and Halom brought Paul Malcolm in. Despite being patently inferior to Steve he kept his place and Steve went to Rotherham in exchange for a pre-season friendly. By the time that came round he had already retired in order to run a pub.

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