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1969-70 wasnt bad either! Still remember his only goal for Dale during our long winning streak that took us to top spot. Two goals down at home to Reading looked like the winning run might end but Dale came back and Ryder scored a belter overlapping on the left and burying it past the Reading goalie as we came back to win 3-2.
Harker; Smith, Parry, Ashworth, Ryder. What a defensive unit we had in that first promotion season! I recall getting Graham Smith and Derek Ryder's autographs on Yorkshire Street as they left Trevor Butterworth's sports shop. I seem to remember them both playing junior football together in the Leeds area. Graham the only surviving member of that unit now.
Along with Stan Milburn and Doug Winton possibly Graham Smith and Derek Ryder were the best pair of fullbacks the Dale ever had. Thanks for the memories.
After he retired from football he became a brewery rep for Scottish and Newcastle Breweries. He was a near neighbour and we were able to have many a chat about his time in football until he and his family moved to the Skipton area many years ago. He was raised in the Armley area of Leeds and some will no doubt know that Armley, parts of Headingley etc. comprise of long rows and cul de sacs of back to back terraced houses but without in those days internal washing etc facilities. It was not uncommon in the 1950/1960's for one resident in the street to have a telephone. This was often used as a contact point for many residents, the telephone holder being willing to receive and send important messages of behalf of the neighbours.
Derek recalled that his father, as perhaps was the norm in those days, having returned from work took up his usual position taking a bath in an old tin bathtub in front of the open fire. After frantic knocking on the door it was opened to the lady owner of the telephone who rushed in. "Mrs Ryder you had better get him out of the bath. United have just rung and Don Revie is on his way to sign your Derek." Panic ensued.
We did get the chance to meet again when he was amongst the party of ex players who visited the club a couple or so seasons ago.
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