Keith Mottershead

Sporting clubs all over Stafford were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Keith Mottershead on Saturday 20 December.

Motty, as he was known to so many, was best known as being a member of the Stafford Rangers side that rose from oblivion to being arguably the best non league side in the country in 1972, but after his playing days were over, he would regularly be seen watching games from the stands at Marston Road, Stafford Town and Brocton FC. And, for him, there was no rivalry. He wanted them all to do well.

Born in December 1944, Keith Mottershead began playing for Holmcroft Youth Club but first rose to prominence with Kingston who he joined in 1963. It was while he was with Kingston that he also made his first appearances in a Stafford Rangers’ shirt, playing the first four games of the 1964/65 season. His debut came in a 2-0 defeat at home to Wrexham Reserves. The team was:
John Cullen, Mick Gibbs, J Bullock, John Hayward, Derek Mountford, Des Lyons, Keith Mottershead, Fred Cooper, Stan Smith, Frank Pedley, Cliff Hodgkinson

It was another two years before Motty was to feature again in the Stafford line up. He made 12 appearances at the start of the 1966/67 season and scored his first goal for the club, on 10 September, in a Cheshire League Cup tie at Witton Albion.

In October 1966, Doncaster Rovers came calling and Motty joined the Third Division club. He made his debut on 15 October 1966 in a 5-0 defeat at Colchester United. The scorer of Colchester’s first and last goals that day was Peter Bullock who would, for a short time, become a team mate at Stafford Rangers a couple of years later. Motty went on to make 13 appearances for Rovers, playing alongside in that season but the side finished in 23rd place and were relegated to Division Four.

Motty featured in 21 games the following season, scoring 5 goals but Doncaster put him on the transfer list and Scunthorpe offered £3,000 and good terms to move to The Old Show Ground but he had never really settled away from his home town and turned down the chance to stay in the Football League. In August 1968, he made the move back to Stafford, a much improved player for his two years away.

For the next three seasons, he was a regular in the Stafford starting XI as the transformation orchestrated by Colin Hutchinson and Roy Chapman took shape. A right winger, he was both a provider and scorer of goals.

But, during the 1971/72 season, he found his appearances less regular, particularly in the second half of the campaign as Rangers challenged for three trophies. He missed out on a place in the FA Trophy winning team in 1972 but still regarded the club getting to Wembley as a career highlight. Despite his disappointment at not playing in what would have been the biggest game of his career, he was philosophical saying “ Not everyone can play in the side and it’s just one of those things I have had to put up with.”

He regarded teammates Ray Williams and Graham Chadwick as the best that he played alongside.

At the end of the 1971/72 season, he moved to Burton Albion but, while with the Brewers, he suffered a broken leg. Upon regaining his fitness, he joined former Rangers’ manager Colin Hutchinson who was by now, in charge of Nantwich Town. He stayed with the Dabbers until Christmas 1974 when he made the move to Leek Town and helped them to the Cheshire League championship.

He returned to Nantwich for another season before moving into local league football in 1976, playing for both Evode (where he was employed) and Kingston. He also appeared for Dormans.

He was later connected with the Mid Staffs Health District side who were to become one of the most successful Sunday sides in the area.

More recently, Motty put in a lot of time at Stafford Town and he was honoured by having their main stand named after him.

Anyone who ever engaged in conversation with Keith Mottershead will have been captured by his enthusiasm and love for local sport (he was also a darts player and cricket fan). He will be sadly missed by all.

Statistics for Stafford Rangers
1964/65: 4 apps
1966/67: 12 apps – 1 goal
1968/69: 48 games – 22 goals
1969/70: 54 games – 5 goals
1970/71: 52 games – 9 goals
1971/72: 35 games – 5 goals
Total: 205 games – 42 goals