With just ten minutes remaining and with the score at 0-0 in last night’s clash between Rochdale and Salford City, Ian Henderson pulled away from his marker at the back post to nod home a historic winner. It was his 130th goal for the club, making the 37-year-old Rochdale’s all time leading goal-scorer.
For obvious reasons, Henderson’s landmark goal has stolen all the headlines, however, there was another element to his milestone finish that makes the story that little sweeter.
Ethan Brierley, the Rochdale born Academy graduate was the player who provided the assist, lofting a delightfully weighted cross into Henderson’s path.
A fantastic photo on Rochdale’s Twitter account shows Henderson leading his side out the tunnel with a 10-year-old Brierley as mascot for a game in November 2014. Eight years on and Brierley assists Henderson’s record breaking goal.
Brierley posted on Twitter: “A moment that will stick with me forever! Dreams do come true”