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Next Game: Brentwood In The FA Trophy At Edgar Street On Saturday 16th November At 3.00pm

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Keith Hicks in the Rochdale Community

Former Hereford United defender Keith Hicks runs the football in the community scheme at Rochdale.

Hicks joined Hereford United from Oldham in 1980 and went on to make 201 League starts for the Bulls in five seasons before moving to Rochdale where he suffered a career-ending groin problem.

The Football in the Community scheme was just starting up at the club and he was asked if he would like to be involved and 25 years later he is still there.

"It was the first game of the 1986-87 season when I suffered a hernia problem," Hicks told the FL site.

"Back in those days that was it as far as my football career was concerned.

"I had played almost 500 Football League games. But I had no qualifications apart from a couple of O-Levels. I thought 'what do I do next?'

"Luckily the job came up here at Rochdale. The community schemes had been started in a few clubs in the area - Manchester United, City, Preston and Oldham - and Rochdale were just starting theirs.

"I'd never have thought I would work here. I am an Oldham lad and I always thought I'd end up there.

"We are one of 70 Football in the Community schemes run by the Football League and we have carte blanche to do what we like, as long as it is helping the community.

"We go into places which wouldn't usually get help, like some of the schools and estates around the place, and help young men with mental health issues.

"The Rochdale players are brilliant once they are there. It can be hard to drag them away sometimes."