Rotherham United were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former player Gordon Morritt, aged 76.
A Rotherham-born goalkeeper, Gordon joined the Millers from local football and would go on to make 88 senior appearances for the Millers between 1961 and 1966.
Gordon appeared during the club’s famous run to the 1961 League Cup final and despite not featuring in the inaugural two-legged fixture, he was awarded a runners-up medal for his contribution.
His association with the Millers started on the terraces as a youngster, it was said he even sold chocolates and crisps on the perimeter track.
His formative years were as a defender but after a stint in goal, it was decided that his long-term future would be as custodian. His meteoric rise culminated in joining the Millmoor staff as a stopper within 18 months of changing position.
Gordon made his first team debut in the League Cup victory over Darlington in September 1961 and in that season he would enjoy an unbeaten sequence of 10 consecutive games. He would have undoubtedly played more matches elsewhere, but with the Millers already boasting Roy Ironside as number one he had to wait patiently for his opportunity.
Gordon would eventually become number one in 1964/65, where he would play 42 times in league and cup – he even played as a centre forward in a midweek League Cup tie at Swansea! Gordon was also a regular scorer in attack for the reserves.
He left Millmoor in 1966 taking up a new challenge playing for Durban City in South Africa. After returning to the UK in 1967 with Doncaster Rovers, he would go on to have spells with Northampton Town, York City, Rochdale and Darlington.
During his spell with York he was involved in a promotion to the Third Division and whilst at Darlington, he played under his former Rotherham skipper Peter Madden.
Following his retirement he moved to York but regularly attended Rotherham United games as a guest of the club, and was also a familiar face at Rotherham United’s Nostalgia Society meetings.
Everyone at Rotherham United would like to express their sincere condolences to Gordon’s family and friends at this sad time.
Once a Miller, Always a Miller.