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Dennis Herod: Stoke City Goalkeeper

Dennis John Herod (1923-2009) was an English footballer who played as a goalkeeper for Stoke City and Stockport County. He had a notable career despite facing challenges, including serving in World War II and suffering injuries during matches. After retiring from football, he became a greengrocer and a local councillor, and he was the last surviving member of the Stoke City squad that nearly won the First Division title in 1947.

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19 views3 pages

Dennis Herod: Stoke City Goalkeeper

Dennis John Herod (1923-2009) was an English footballer who played as a goalkeeper for Stoke City and Stockport County. He had a notable career despite facing challenges, including serving in World War II and suffering injuries during matches. After retiring from football, he became a greengrocer and a local councillor, and he was the last surviving member of the Stoke City squad that nearly won the First Division title in 1947.

Uploaded by

bertrand.iago.herera
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Dennis Herod

Dennis John Herod (27 October 1923 – 16 December


Dennis Herod
2009) was an English footballer. He played as a
goalkeeper for Stockport County and Stoke City,[1][2] Personal information
both members of the Football League. Full name Dennis John Herod[1]
Date of birth 27 October 1923[1]
Place of birth Basford, England[1]
Playing career Date of death 16 December 2009 (aged 86)
Place of death Wrinehill, England
Herod was born in Basford and joined Stoke City in
Position(s) Goalkeeper
1940 from local non-league side Trent Vale United
Youth career
after impressing the watching Bob McGrory in the
final of the Sentinel Shield. He made his debut during Trent Vale United
the 1940–41 with his first three matches ending in 5–1, Senior career*
6–2 and 5–3 defeats, but despite this inauspicious start Years Team Apps (Gls)
Herod was offered a professional contract. His war 1940–1953 Stoke City 191 (1)
league appearances were restricted once he was called 1953–1954 Stockport County 33 (0)
up to the 44th Royal Tank Regiment. Whilst training in Total 224 (1)
Hampshire he guested for Aldershot along with *Club domestic league appearances and goals
Tommy Lawton, Joe Mercer and Stan Cullis. From
1943 Herod saw action in North Africa and Italy and narrowly escaped with his life when his tank
received a direct hit in Normandy in August 1944, receiving only a fractured jaw.[2]

He returned to Stoke in 1945 and was an ever-present in the final war league season of 1945–46 and
played in Burnden Park disaster. Stoke supporters enjoying the clubs title challenge in 1946–47 soon
dubbed their 'keeper as Dennis 'Herod the king' although Herod was more circumspect about his value in
the side. " I was probably the weakest link in the team.[2] I had not the physique to be a really top class
goalkeeper like Frank Swift or Ted Ditchburn. I did however have fast reflexes and I could move quicker
than most".[2] He played in the title decider against Sheffield United on the final day of the season, Stoke
lost 2–1.[2] Heord admits to smoking heavily and gambling, vices which led him to be good friends with
Neil Franklin where he was a groomsman at his wedding and received an offer to accompany him to
Colombia.[2] Herod declined not wanting to move away from the Potteries where his wife ran a
successful grocery business. In the summer of 1950 McGrory signed Don Clegg from Bury to replace
Herod. Stoke lost their first two games of the 1950–51 season and Clegg was unceremoniously dropped.
Herord saw off numerous more challengers, including Arthur Jepson, Emmanuel Foster and Frank Elliott
in his 14 years at the Victoria Ground, although his shortcomings meant that McGrory was constantly
seeking a replacement.[2]

Herod made history on 16 February 1952, in an away match at Aston Villa.[2] He broke his arm in a brave
challenge and spent the rest of the match at right wing with Stoke defending a 2–1 lead.[2] Not considered
a threat by Villa's defence Herod was left unmarked and found himself one on one with 'keeper Con
Martin and calmly slotted the ball past him.[3] However the following season new manager Frank Taylor
signalled his arrival with the signing of Birmingham City's Bill Robertson.[2] In December Robertson
broke his leg and Herod was recalled although he himself broke his leg against West Bromwich Albion a
month later.[2] After Stoke were relegated he joined Stockport County for £750 in July 1953, playing 37
times for the Edgeley Park side before retiring aged 32.[2]

Post retirement
He later became a popular greengrocer with his wife on the markets around Manchester and Stoke-on-
Trent and stood as a local councillor for the Conservative Party and assisted Newcastle Town for a short
period.[2] Herod died on 16 December 2009 aged 86. He was the last member of the Stoke City squad
which came close to winning the First Division title in 1947.[4]

Career statistics
Source:[5]

League FA Cup Total


Club Season
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
1945–46 – – 8 0 8 0

1946–47 First Division 14 0 1 0 15 0

1947–48 First Division 41 0 2 0 43 0


1948–49 First Division 41 0 4 0 45 0

Stoke City 1949–50 First Division 20 0 1 0 21 0

1950–51 First Division 35 0 3 0 38 0


1951–52 First Division 29 1 4 0 33 1

1952–53 First Division 11 0 1 0 12 0

Total 191 1 24 0 215 1


Stockport County 1953–54 Third Division North 33 0 4 0 37 0

Career Total 224 1 28 0 252 1

References
1. Matthews, Tony (1994). The Encyclopaedia of Stoke City. Lion Press. ISBN 0-9524151-0-0.
2. Stoke City 101 Golden Greats. Desert Islands Books. 2002. ISBN 1-874287-55-4.
3. "Past tales highlight pampered pros of today" ([Link]
005/04/18/nigel_johnson_160405_feature.shtml). BBC Sport. 18 April 2005. Retrieved
3 May 2009.
4. Former keeper Herod dies ([Link]
od-dies/article-1620179-detail/[Link]), Retrieved on 17 December 2009
5. Dennis Herod ([Link] at the English National Football Archive (subscription
required)
Retrieved from "[Link]

Common questions

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Dennis Herod began his football career with Stoke City in 1940 after being scouted from local non-league team Trent Vale United. During World War II, his appearances were limited as he served with the 44th Royal Tank Regiment and participated in campaigns in North Africa, Italy, and Normandy. Post-war, he returned to Stoke City as a regular player and was involved in their close challenge for the First Division title. Despite injuries and managerial changes, Herod continued as goalkeeper until he joined Stockport County in 1953, where he played until his retirement in 1954. After football, he and his wife ran a greengrocery and he also served as a local councillor .

Managerial changes at Stoke City had a considerable impact on Dennis Herod's career. Bob McGrory's decision to find a replacement goalkeeper, evident from the signing of Don Clegg, and Frank Taylor's later management changes, which included bringing in Bill Robertson, illustrate the constant pressure Herod faced to secure his position. These shifts sometimes led to Herod being dropped but also afforded him opportunities for comebacks, as following Robertson's injury and his subsequent return .

Dennis Herod faced challenges in maintaining his position at Stoke City through persistent competition and his physical limitations. Despite McGrory's constant search for better goalkeeping options due to Herod's physique, Herod's rapid reflexes and ability to perform under pressure sustained his role over 14 years. He navigated managerial changes and injuries, showcasing resilience by recovering his starting position several times when competitors like Don Clegg and Bill Robertson faltered or were injured .

Dennis Herod's decision not to move to Colombia with Neil Franklin highlights his priority on family and stability over potentially lucrative opportunities abroad. By choosing to remain in the Potteries where his wife ran a successful business, Herod placed value on familial ties and local community, preferring stability over uncertain ventures, reflecting his personal values rooted in personal relationships and community ties .

Injuries significantly impacted Dennis Herod's career. He broke his arm during a game against Aston Villa in 1952, yet continued to play at right wing, scoring a goal unexpectedly. His frequent injuries influenced Stoke City's decisions to seek replacements, including when he broke his leg in the following season after being recalled. These physical challenges limited his appearances and eventually contributed to his move to Stockport County after Stoke City's relegation in 1953 .

Dennis Herod demonstrated remarkable versatility when, after breaking his arm during a match against Aston Villa, he continued to play on the right wing. Left unmarked by the opposing defense, Herod took advantage of the situation and scored against goalkeeper Con Martin, helping Stoke maintain their lead. This adaptability under pressure showcases how his willingness to adapt influenced the outcome positively in Stoke's favor despite personal injury .

Post-retirement, Dennis Herod opted for a career outside of professional football, establishing a successful greengrocery business with his wife and engaging in local politics as a Conservative Party councillor. These choices may have been motivated by a desire for stability and community involvement, perhaps stemming from the fragmented nature of a sports career and his preference for local continuity over international opportunities. Furthermore, his involvement with Newcastle Town suggests a continued, albeit more informal, link to football .

World War II shaped Dennis Herod's early career by limiting his league appearances due to his military service. Called up to serve with the 44th Royal Tank Regiment, Herod's career began amidst wartime league structures. His role in military campaigns across North Africa, Italy, and Normandy delayed his return to Stoke City until after the war, affecting the continuity of his professional development and positioning within the team .

Dennis Herod's personal habits, including heavy smoking and gambling, were reflective aspects of his lifestyle that contrasted with his football career. These habits contributed to his camaraderie with fellow player Neil Franklin, influencing social but not necessarily professional aspects directly observed in this document. Herod's self-reflection suggested these habits might have detracted from his peak athletic performance, aligning him against top-class goalkeepers of his era .

During the 1946-47 season, Dennis Herod was known as 'Herod the King' by supporters due to Stoke City's strong performance in the Football League First Division. Although critical of his own abilities compared to peers like Frank Swift, Herod's quick reflexes and speed were pivotal in Stoke's title challenge as they were runners-up on the final day. Despite the team's loss to Sheffield United, Herod's contributions throughout the season were crucial to their near success .

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