Stan Trafford

Stanley John Trafford (21 December 1945 – 19 November 2020)[3] was an English footballer and cricketer. He played his football for Port Vale and Macclesfield Town, and his cricket for Staffordshire.[4]

Stan Trafford
Personal information
Full name Stanley John Trafford[1]
Date of birth (1945-12-21)21 December 1945[1]
Place of birth Leek, Staffordshire, England[1]
Date of death 19 November 2020(2020-11-19) (aged 74)[2]
Position(s) Forward
Youth career
Port Vale
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1964–1965 Port Vale 12 (1)
1966 Macclesfield Town 9 (0)
Total 21 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Early life

Trafford was born in Leek, Staffordshire on 21 December 1945.[1] He was a keen football and cricket player in his youth and once took four wickets in four balls when playing for his school side. Trafford also played for the Port Vale youth team.[5]

Football career

Trafford signed for Port Vale as a professional under manager Freddie Steele in October 1964.[1] He made 12 Third Division appearances and scored one goal, in a 2–1 win over Oldham Athletic, during the 1964–65 season.[1] Making his first team debut at Vale Park on 17 October, in a 2–1 defeat to Bristol City, it was reported that "the loud mouths on the terraces certainly did a good job [of] hindering Stan Trafford".[1] He scored his only goal in the English Football League in a 2–1 win over Oldham Athletic on 15 March.[1] He was handed a free transfer by new boss Jackie Mudie in April 1965.[5] He signed with Macclesfield Town of the Cheshire County League in January 1966, and made ten appearances before leaving Moss Rose in the summer.[6]

"They were the best days of my life. If I was in the first team, I got £20 a week, which in comparison to guys working in an office or factory, was good money. There was £4 win bonus and £2 for a draw. I couldn’t believe I was getting paid for something I enjoyed doing so much. My biggest attribute was I was quick.

— Trafford speaking in 2008.[7]

Trafford was a member of Port Vale's ex-players association and attended a game at the club in the 2019–20 season. He remained close friends with former team-mate Terry Lowe.[5]

Cricket career

In cricket, Trafford made his debut for Staffordshire in 1963, playing two matches that season against Northumberland and Durham in the Minor Counties Cricket Championship. Trafford next appeared for Staffordshire in 1976, playing two further Minor Counties Championship matches against Cheshire and Shropshire.[8] It was in 1976 that Trafford played his only List A match, which came against Essex in the Gillette Cup.[9] In this match, he was dismissed for a single run by John Lever.[10] He retired as a player in 1984.[7]

Trafford was associated with Leek Cricket Club for 60 years, as a junior cricketer and later as a committee member and club secretary.[7] Leek won the NSSCL Premier Division, Talbot Cup and Staffordshire Cup whilst Trafford was club secretary in 2001.[7] He also spent 25 years coaching Staffordshire Under-19s.[7]

Trafford's death was announced by Port Vale on 19 November 2020, at the age of 74.[5][7]

Career statistics

Source:[11][12]

Club Season Division League FA Cup Other Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Port Vale1964–65Third Division1210000121
Macclesfield Town1965–66Cheshire County League900010100
Total 2110010221

References
  1. Kent, Jeff (1996). Port Vale Personalities. Witan Books. p. 292. ISBN 0-9529152-0-0.
  2. "Barry Hugman's Footballers - Stan Trafford". barryhugmansfootballers.com. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  3. Barry Hugman's Footballers
  4. Booth, Lawrence (2021). Wisden Cricketers' Almanack. p. 280. ISBN 9781472975478.
  5. "Remembering John Poole and Stan Trafford". www.port-vale.co.uk. 19 November 2020. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  6. "Player Profiles – T". www.silkmenarchives.org.uk. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  7. Travers, Chris (19 November 2020). "'People like Stan are not made anymore. We've lost someone you can't replace'". StokeonTrentLive. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  8. "Minor Counties Championship Matches played by Stanley Trafford". CricketArchive. Retrieved 18 June 2011.
  9. "List A Matches played by Stanley Trafford". CricketArchive. Retrieved 18 June 2011.
  10. "Staffordshire v Essex, 1976 Gillette Cup". CricketArchive. Retrieved 18 June 2011.
  11. Stan Trafford at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)
  12. "Season Statistics – Cheshire League – 1965–66". www.silkmenarchives.org.uk. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
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