Former Rotherham United favourite Peter Madden dies, aged 85

A big player in the club's history, the commanding centre-half played for the Millers for 11 years, helping establish them in the old second division, now the Championship, in the late 1950s and 1960s.

He also served as captain for several seasons.

A no-nonsense operator with a big personality, Peter made his debut against Plymouth in 1956 but had to be patient, making just 18 appearances in three seasons before he made the number five shirt his own at the start of the 1958/59 campaign.

Madden caught the eye of Bill Shankly at Liverpool in 1960 and another top flight club, Fulham, in 1961 but such was his standing at Millmoor that the board rejected good cash offers.

That same year Peter played in both legs of the League Cup final against Aston Villa which the Millers lost 3-2 on aggregate.  

He also featured in the epic FA Cup tie against Arsenal in 1960, Rotherham winning the second replay 2-0 at Hillsborough in front of more than 56,000 spectators.

Madden made 353 appearances for Rotherham in total and eventually moved on in 1966.

Following brief spells at Bradford Park Avenue and Aldershot, he managed Darlington and Rochdale.