at Aston Villa. He broke his arm in a brave challenge and spent the rest of the match at right wing with Stoke defending a 2–1 lead. Not considered a threat by Villa's defence Herod was left unmarked and found himself one on one with 'keeper Con Martin and calmly slotted the ball past him. However the following season new manager Frank Taylor signalled his arrival with the signing of Birmingham City's Bill Robertson. In December Robertson broke his leg and Herod was recalled although he himself broke his leg against West Bromwich Albion a month later. After Stoke were relegated he joined Stockport County for £750 in July 1953, playing 37 times for the Edgeley Park side before retiring aged 32. Post retirement He later became a popular greengrocer with his wife on the markets around Manchester and Stoke-on-Trent and stood as a local councillor for the Conservative Party and assisted Newcastle Town for a short period. Herod died on 16 December 2009 aged 86. He was the last member of the Stoke City squad which came close to winning the First Division title in 1947. Career statistics Source: References 1923 births 2009 deaths English footballers Association football goalkeepers English Football League players Stoke City F.C. players Stockport County F.C. players British Army personnel of World War II Royal Tank Regiment soldiers Military personnel from Staffordshire