Graeme Aldred

Graeme Aldred (11 September 1966 – 22 February 1987) was an English footballer who made 44 appearances in the Football League playing as a right back for Darlington in the 1980s. He began his career as a trainee with Newcastle United, and also played non-league football for clubs including Barrow and Whitley Bay.

Graeme Aldred
Personal information
Full name Graeme Aldred[1]
Date of birth (1966-09-11)11 September 1966[1]
Place of birth Ferryhill, England
Date of death 22 February 1987(1987-02-22) (aged 20)[2]
Place of death Newcastle upon Tyne, England
Position(s) Right back
Youth career
19??–1984 Newcastle United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1984–1986 Darlington 44 (0)
1986 Barrow[3] 7 (0)
1986–1987 Whitley Bay
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Life and career

Aldred was born in Ferryhill, County Durham,[1] and represented his county schools at under-15 and under-19 level.[4] He began his football career with Newcastle United, but never broke through to the first team, and moved on to Darlington of the Fourth Division in September 1984.[1]

He made his debut in the Football League in a goalless draw away to Blackpool on 15 September 1984, and went on to appear in 28 league matches, two-thirds of which were in the starting eleven, as Darlington finished third and were promoted to the Third Division.[5] He also played in the 1984–85 FA Cup run during which Darlington eliminated near neighbours Middlesbrough in what was voted the greatest match seen at their Feethams ground.[6][7] Aldred began the 1985–86 season in the team, but lost his place when Chris Evans arrived in October. He finished the season with 44 league appearances in total, 57 in all competitions.[5][8]

Aldred left Darlington at the end of the season, and began 1986–87 with Northern Premier League club Barrow. By December he was playing in the Northern League for Whitley Bay.[9][10]

In February 1987, the 20-year-old Aldred was a passenger in a friend's car when it went out of control. He was thrown from the car, and died of his injuries two days later in Newcastle General Hospital.[2]

References
  1. "Graeme Aldred". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
  2. "Accident verdict on footballer". Evening Chronicle. Newcastle. 10 July 1987. p. 12.
  3. Gardner, Michael (2000). The Definitive Barrow A.F.C. Nottingham: SoccerData. p. 93. ISBN 978-1899468140.
  4. "Past Players (A)". Durham County Schools' Football Association. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
  5. Tweddle, Frank (2000). The Definitive Darlington F.C. Nottingham: SoccerData. pp. 81–82. ISBN 978-1-899468-15-7.
  6. "Walker not walking well after a lifetime best haul". The Northern Echo. Darlington. 21 August 2007. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
  7. "Quakers recall Boro win". The Northern Echo. Darlington. 13 May 2002. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
  8. "Chris Evans". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
  9. Yelland, Terry (16 December 2007). "Holker Street Newsletter 1876: Look back at season 1986-87: Multipart League". BarrowFC.com. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
  10. Gardner, Darren; Yelland, Phil (9 January 1999). "Holker Street Newsletter 256: The Ray Wilkie years (continued)". BarrowFC.com. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
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