ONE of the early Burton Albion greats came to check out the current generation of Brewers stars at the Pirelli Stadium on Saturday.
Dave McAdam, a resident at the Mount Pleasant Care Home in Burton, made 238 appearances for the Brewers during the 1950s making the left half position his own.
Born in 1923, Dave was on the books at Leeds United and Wrexham, gaining Football League experience, before joining Albion for the 1951-52 season.
He stayed at Wellington Street until 1960 and was given a benefit match against Charlton Athletic for his services.
After the Brewers, he played for Matlock Town in the Central Alliance.
In his book Wellington Street to Wembley, Rex Page described Dave as “a true sportsman and gentleman on and off the field”.
Rex adds: “Of the early breed of Albion player, Dave was one of the most accomplished. He brought skill, ball control and vision to the left half berth which he more or less made his own in eight seasons with the club.”
Dave’s career is also documented on the Leeds fans’ site www.thirkersleeds.co.uk.
It states: “During the war, Dave served with the 1st Battalion Wiltshire Regiment in India, Burma and on the North West Frontier. He played football at battalion level and on demob in 1946 worked at the Branston Ordnance Depot. He joined Stapenhill WMC and was spotted – within months he was in the Leeds first team.”
Dave was joined at the Rochdale match by other residents and staff from the Mount Pleasant Care Home who after the game met Burton Albion players and manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.