Position : Right back (also played at centre half)
Played : 1989-90 to 1990-91
Appearances : 79
Goals : 4
And so we come to the 1989-90 season. Terry Dolan isn't that well thought of by Dale fans who remember Jeff and Chris Lee and the manner of his departure but there's plenty on the plus side of the ledger to consider. This was the first season since relegation in 1974 that Dale finished in the top half of the table, something we'd achieve more often than not for the rest of our stay in the basement. It also contained a record run in the FA Cup and a then-record number of away wins, one of which no Dale fan will EVER forget.
And remarkably Terry achieved this from virtually a zero base. Following the releases and Bergara's smash and grab raid he had a first team squad of five, Welchy, Walling, the reprieved O' Shaughnessy and the unwanted Edmunds and Taylor (who was discarded before the season kicked off). So here come a host of new players.....
Wayne was signed on a free transfer from Crewe. He had started out at Barnsley but, after 36 appearances over four years there, he went to Gresty Road for more regular football in 1986 and made 94 appearances.
Wayne was good or awful depending on whose half he was in. Few wingers got past him and he was a sound stand-in at centre half and even in goal (at Hereford when Keith Welch was sent off making some good saves which drew applause from his opposite number George Wood). On the other hand I can think of few other players whose distribution was so consistently terrible, every attempted cross leading to an opposition throw-in on the other side of the pitch or a goal-kick. I think it was that factor that persuaded Dave Sutton he could find someone better and so Wayne was released after two seasons.
He went to Hyde United and also played for Accrington Stanley before a long association with Buxton ending up as their manager. He has also managed Salford City.
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