Gary Strodder

Who is Gary Strodder?

Gary Strodder was a centre half who played for West Ham United for four seasons, making 71 starts in total with a further eight appearances as substitute. His two goals were both scored against South Coast opposition, Portsmouth and Bournemouth. He joined in March 1987 from Lincoln City. Gary is probably best remembered by West Ham fans for being a member of the team hammered 6-0 in the League Cup Semi Final first leg at Oldham Athletic. This proved to be his penultimate game in the famous Claret and Blue shirt. In addition to West Ham, Gary also played for Notts County, Rotherham United, West Bromwich Albion, Hartlepool United and Lincoln City. His greatest moment probably came in helping West Brom to promotion via the playoff final at Wembley Stadium in a team managed by Argentinian and Tottenham Hotspur legend Ossie Ardiles. In May 1985 he was to witness a nightmare when 56 spectators were killed in a horrendous stand fire while playing for Lincoln against Bradford City.