Joe Clayton 1943 – 2025

”YOU would think Joe Clayton’s proudest moment was playing at Wembley in 1972 when he was a member of the Stafford Rangers side that beat Barnet 3-0 to win the FA Trophy.

But, having met him, I’m not so sure. I have a feeling his greatest source of pride occurred two years before when he was voted Hyde United’s inaugural supporters’ player of the year.

I first met Joe around 2010 when I organised a legends evening in the social club where Les Sutton, Jack Dobson and Malcolm O’Connor talked about what it was like to be a Hyde United player in past years. As the event closed, Joe took the microphone, and proudly wearing his old crimson club tie, made a short but emotional speech in which he expressed his love for the Tigers and how sad he had been to leave for Stafford at the end of 1970.

At the time of his departure, Hyde had been left financially broken by two years as founder-members of the Northern Premier League. Joe had no doubt been released to help balance the books. He became a key part of what was probably Stafford’s greatest-ever team, winning the NPL championship as well as the Trophy.

His comments, undoubtedly sincere, caused Jack Dobson to smile. He recalled: “I was a bit amused when Joe said money wasn’t a factor when he moved to Stafford. His wages, bonus and travelling expenses were all multiplied by four. I think I would have been tempted.”

Joe, who lived in Wilmslow and was a bricklayer by trade, died on October 7 a month short of his 82nd birthday. He joined Hyde from Stalybridge Celtic in 1967 and was a tough, old-style defender who always gave 100 per cent and never shirked a challenge. He was what they used to call uncompromising.

Les Sutton tells the story of a game when Joe flew in to tackle Jackie Gaskell, a speedy winger who played at Stalybridge and Glossop among other clubs. The challenge was mistimed but Joe didn’t commit a foul. Instead, he plunged his foot straight through one of the pitchside advertising boards.

Joe’s recollections of being managed by Eric Webster, a member of Hyde’s double Cheshire League championship-winning teams of the mid-1950s, offer an idea of his full-blooded, full-throttle style. He said: “Webby never gave me any instructions. He stood at the side of the pitch screaming ‘Joe’ and smashing his right fist into the palm of his left hand as I ran past.”

There was clearly a bond between the two men. When Eric died in 2016, Joe still turned up at Stockport Crematorium despite Eric’s instructions that he wanted no service or ceremony.

Paul Fitzgerald, another member of that original Northern Premier League side and a big friend of Joe’s, recalled: “When he went to the FA Trophy final with Stafford I sent him a telegram. It wasn’t the usual message of good wishes, hoping he played well. It said ‘don’t get sent off at Wembley Joe’. And he didn’t although he did get booked.

“He was a cracking lad and an absolutely brilliant centre-half. He actually started off at Manchester United and played in the Blue Stars (now Fifa) Youth Cup in Switzerland alongside people like Barry Fry and Eamon Dunphy”

“Joe really loved Hyde United. It was his favourite club and he was so proud to have been a Hyde United player.”

In his three seasons at Ewen Fields, Joe made 157 appearances scoring three goals.

Everyone at Hyde United sends their condolences to Joe’s wife, Sandra, and to his family.”