Nicknamed "Evil" because it appeared in the middle of his name (subtle eh?) but it could equally have been because of his menacing stares, and a build to perfectly describe the sort of person you wouldn't want to meet down a dark alley.

When talking about highlights of his time at Spotland, there were plenty. Who could forget the shoulder barge in the 5-4 win against York City on a thoroughly wet Spotland one Tuesday evening, which had the York defender Potter sliding halfway down Roch Valley Way from the challenge? Had it not been for the annual Rochdale droughts, Potter would still be sliding now.

We had some great goals from the striker. His free kick in the FA Cup against Preston North End earned him the Goal of the Season award, when he fired from thirty yards plus. His effort against Hartlepool in his first full season with the club was in the back of net before anyone had realised he'd even had a shot (and that includes the Hartlepool keeper). And not being one to do things by halves, who could forget his goal against York City where he had been forced to go in goals following an injury to Matt Gilks, before coming forward to take the penalty, seeing his shot saved, before firing home the rebound. That same season saw him finish the season as top scorer, with sixteen goals to his name.

But his best goal was probably his effort in the away leg at the Play Offs, where just five minutes into the game at Rushden, he started thinking he was Maradona, with a jink here, and a sidestep there, before firing home from the edge of the box.

And it wasn't just his goals that brought us memories. He picked up full international honours when he appeared for Northern Ireland against Spain, taking the field against the likes of Raul and Morientes, pipping Dale team mate McCourt to secure the honour of being our first international. He became the first Dale player to receive two red cards in a game following a challenge (or two) on Lincoln's former Dale player Mark Bailey, and he became the first Dale player to have his photograph receive an 18 Certificate for the famous snap against Bristol Rovers. And after the aforementioned Rushden game, when he was set upon by a group of Rushden hoolies. There was only ever going to be one winner!

But his time at the club was also tinged with disappointment. He often came across as a player who was capable of much more than what we saw, but was let down by inconsistency. He wasn't helped by problems with his weight during the 2003-4 season which saw him shipped out on loan to Accrington Stanley on loan to shed a few pounds. You don't score the goals that he did for the club without having talent to do so, but too often it looked like he was keeping something in reserve - almost as if there were two Lee McEvillys, and he kept the goalscoring sensation at home for Sunday best.

But as I said, the good times certainly outweighed the bad, and even if McEvilly outweighed both of them, his time at Dale will always be one remembered fondly.

Interactive Ex Files