He was one of my best-ever signings - former Latics' manager
Former Latics' striker Rodger Wylde has been awarded a testimonial by Stockport County in recognition of his 24 years as club physio.
County will play Sheffield Wednesday, where Wylde (pictured) kicked off his playing career, at Edgeley Park on Tuesday, July 9th.
Here Latics' website editor Tony Bugby speaks to Jimmy Frizzell, the manager who signed Wylde for Latics in 1980.
Frizzell describes Wylde as one of his best-ever signings during his long and illustrious management career.
The canny Scot paid Sheffield Wednesday a bargain £75,000 to bring Wylde to Boundary Park.
And in each of his three seasons with Latics, Wylde, whose return was 52 goals from 125 matches, finished top scorer before a move overseas to join Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon.
Frizzell, an admirer of Wylde who scored 66 goals in 182 matches for home-city club Wednesday, recalled: "I had looked at Rodger a number of times when he was at Wednesday and had always rated him very highly.
"I cannot remember the circumstances of how we came to sign Rodger – it is a long time ago. Suffice to say, however, he was a top signing and one of my best-ever ones.
"Rodger was a flamboyant player and very much in the mould of Simon Stainrod who we had at the same time.
"He was never going to knock centre halves about, but he was a clever player who had the ability to drift past opponents.
"Rodger was a good goalscorer and a top player and never gave me a problem which I cannot say about all players.
"In today’s market, would certainly have been worth a few bob. It is just sad there aren’t more British players like Rodger is today’s game, something I blame on the influx of foreign players."
Frizzell pointed out that Wylde, who after leaving Latics played for Sporting Lisbon, Sunderland in the First Division, Barnsley and Stockport, scored goals everywhere he played, a measure of how good a striker he was.
He also remembered Wylde as a footballer who was asset in other ways including his willingness to help other players, especially young ones.
And on a personal note, Frizzell added that when he had how own medical problems in recent years, Wylde was one of his former players who kept in touch.
He also congratulates Wylde for the longevity of his time as physio at Stockport County – 24 years – saying his testimonial is deserved and recognition of his length of service.
FORMER Stockport County apprentice Scott Burnside also has vivid memories of watching Wylde playing for Latics and then being a team mate.
He recalled: "I was an apprentice at Stockport when Rodger was a player and then physio.
"I was on Rodger The Dodger’s side in a full practice match against the first team and we had just conceded a goal.
"Rodger stepped up to take the kick off and said to the other striker "just flick the ball up." He then proceeded to volley the ball from the centre circle over a despairing dive from Andy Gorton and into the net. It was sheer class."
Burnside added that earlier he had been taken by his father to see Latics when Wylde was playing for them and he had been mesmerised by his play.