OTD: BARRY SIDDALL BORN
Born on this day in 1954, in Ellesmere Port, is former Sunderland player Barry Siddall. The goalkeeper played for 13 Football League clubs as well as several non-league sides.
Siddall signed for Sunderland in 1976 from Bolton Wanderers and was expected to replace the retiring Jimmy Montgomery in goal. The Lads suffered relegation from the First Division in 1977 and missed out on promotion twice in a row, before finally coming back up in 1980 under new manager Ken Knighton. We finished second in the second tier with Siddall between the sticks, just one point behind champions Leicester City. During his time on Wearside, Siddall became known by an unfortunate nickname, the flying pig.
The journeyman keeper racked up over 190 appearances in goal for Sunderland but was sent on loan to Darlington after our promotion back to the top flight. He played just eight games for the Quakers, who were managed by his former manager at Sunderland Billy Elliott. Upon returning from his loan spell, he was sent back out. This time he went a bit further afar, joining Vancouver Whitecaps on loan who played in the North American Soccer League. In 1982, Siddall’s time was clearly up on Wearside. He left permanently for Port Vale, which began his journey across the Football League. Siddall went on to play for Blackpool, Stoke City, Tranmere Rovers, Manchester City, Stockport County, Hartlepool United, Mossley, Carlisle United, Chester City, Preston North End, Lincoln City, Northwich Victoria, Burnley and Birmingham City. He retired in 1995. He then became a freelance goalkeeping coach. After retirement, Siddall worked for his local post office in Kirkham, Lancashire. That’s something you wouldn’t see in modern football.
