reach the 1972 League Cup Final, where they beat Chelsea 2–1. Skeels established a club record for league appearances towards the end of the 1974–75 season, and with war-time fixtures considered unofficial he also lays claim to record appearance holder in all competitions with 597. He had already been awarded a joint-testimonial match with Tony Allen against Derby County in February 1969 when he was given a free transfer by Stoke in June 1976. Later career He joined up with former teammate Geoff Hurst in the North American Soccer League with the Seattle Sounders, before signing for Roy Sproson's Port Vale in September 1976. He played five Third Division matches for the "Valiants" in the 1976–77 season, scoring once against Walsall. He then became the owner of the Hare and Hound pub in Glossop whilst making the occasional appearance for Leek Town. He returned to the Potteries to keep the Noah's Ark in Newcastle-under-Lyme and has also worked at Staffordshire University as a Porter. Career statistics Source: Honours Stoke City Football League Second Division: 1962–63 League Cup: 1972; runner-up: 1964 Watney Cup: 1973 References 1939 births Living people People from Eccles, Greater Manchester English footballers Association football defenders Cleveland Stokers players Stockport County F.C. players Stoke City F.C. players Port Vale F.C. players English expatriate footballers Expatriate soccer players in the United States Seattle Sounders (1974–1983) players Leek Town F.C. players English Football League players North American Soccer League (1968–1984) players United Soccer Association players English expatriate sportspeople in the United States