Johnny Roche
English footballer (1932–1988)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
John Anthony Roche (18 May 1932 – 1988) was an English footballer who played as a forward. He played professionally for Millwall and Crystal Palace between 1957 and 1960, making a total of 61 Football League appearances.[1]
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | John Anthony Roche | ||
| Date of birth | 18 May 1932 | ||
| Place of birth | Poplar, England | ||
| Date of death | 1988 (aged 53–54) | ||
| Position | Forward | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| ?–1957 | Margate | ||
| 1957–1959 | Millwall | 25 | (14) |
| 1959–1960 | Crystal Palace | 36 | (11) |
| 1960–? | Margate | ||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Career
Roche was born in Poplar, London. began his career in non-league football with Margate before signing for Millwall in 1957. In May 1959, he signed for Crystal Palace then playing in the Football League Fourth Division.[2] He made a goal-scoring debut on 3 September in a home 3–2 win against Oldham Athletic and went on to make 36 appearances that season, scoring 11 times.[3] At the end of the 1959–60 season, he returned to Margate.[2]
Personal life
Roche died in 1988, aged 53 or 54.[4] His grandson Jamie Roche, born in Sweden to a Swedish mother and Roche's son (who himself played semi-professionally), is also a professional footballer.[citation needed]
