David Gaskell
Encyclopedia
John David Gaskell is an English
former football goalkeeper. Gaskell started his career as a youth player with Manchester United
. He helped United win several trophies during the 1960s. He left the club for Wrexham
in June 1969.
, Lancashire
, Gaskell began his football career with Manchester United
. He made his senior debut for United on 24 October 1956, when he played in the 1956 FA Charity Shield
at the age of 16 years and 19 days, making him the youngest player ever to have played for the club. His league debut came over a year later, in a 4–3 home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur
on 30 November 1957.
He was not with the Manchester United squad when their aeroplane crashed
at Munich
on the way home from a European Cup tie on 6 February 1958, killing eight players.
By the early 1960s, he had become a regular in the United first team, covering for first choice goalkeeper Harry Gregg
. The zenith of Gaskell's career came in 1963, when he kept goal for United in their 1963 FA Cup Final
win over Leicester City
.
A succession of injuries to Gregg meant that Gaskell was in and out of the first team on a regular basis, but the signing of Pat Dunne in May 1964 meant that Gaskell was relegated to the position of third-choice goalkeeper. Both Gregg and Dunne left in 1966, but the arrival of Alex Stepney
and the emergence of young Jimmy Rimmer
meant that Gaskell was still third-choice at the club, so he left in the summer of 1969.
On departing from Old Trafford
, Gaskell signed for Wrexham and remained there for three years, before moving to South Africa, where he played for Arcadia Shepherds
until his retirement.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
former football goalkeeper. Gaskell started his career as a youth player with Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
. He helped United win several trophies during the 1960s. He left the club for Wrexham
Wrexham A.F.C.
Wrexham Football Club are a professional football team based in Wrexham, north-east Wales, who play in the English football pyramid.Founded in 1872, they are one of the oldest surviving football clubs in Britain and the oldest professional club in Wales...
in June 1969.
Career
Born in OrrellOrrell, Greater Manchester
Orrell is an area of the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan, Greater Manchester, England. The area is contiguous to the town of Wigan itself and the centre of the district is situated to the west of the town centre...
, Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
, Gaskell began his football career with Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
. He made his senior debut for United on 24 October 1956, when he played in the 1956 FA Charity Shield
1956 FA Charity Shield
The 1956 FA Charity Shield was the 34th FA Charity Shield, an annual football match held between the winners of the previous season's Football League and FA Cup competitions. The match was contested by Manchester United, who had won the 1955–56 Football League, and Manchester City, who had won the...
at the age of 16 years and 19 days, making him the youngest player ever to have played for the club. His league debut came over a year later, in a 4–3 home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
on 30 November 1957.
He was not with the Manchester United squad when their aeroplane crashed
Munich air disaster
The Munich air disaster occurred on 6 February 1958, when British European Airways Flight 609 crashed on its third attempt to take off from a slush-covered runway at Munich-Riem Airport in Munich, West Germany. On board the plane was the Manchester United football team, nicknamed the "Busby Babes",...
at Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
on the way home from a European Cup tie on 6 February 1958, killing eight players.
By the early 1960s, he had become a regular in the United first team, covering for first choice goalkeeper Harry Gregg
Harry Gregg
Henry "Harry" Gregg, MBE is a former Northern Ireland international footballer and manager.He played 25 times for Northern Ireland as a goalkeeper and played for Manchester United during the reign of Sir Matt Busby with a total of 210 appearances.-Playing career:Gregg started his career with...
. The zenith of Gaskell's career came in 1963, when he kept goal for United in their 1963 FA Cup Final
1963 FA Cup Final
The 1963 FA Cup Final was the final of the 1962–63 FA Cup, the 82nd season of England's premier club football competition. The match was played at Wembley Stadium on 25 May 1963 and contested by Manchester United and Leicester City. United won 3–1, with a goal from Denis Law and two from...
win over Leicester City
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
.
A succession of injuries to Gregg meant that Gaskell was in and out of the first team on a regular basis, but the signing of Pat Dunne in May 1964 meant that Gaskell was relegated to the position of third-choice goalkeeper. Both Gregg and Dunne left in 1966, but the arrival of Alex Stepney
Alex Stepney
Alexander Cyril "Alex" Stepney is a former English football player who was Manchester United's goalkeeper when they became the first English club to win the European Cup.-London beginnings:...
and the emergence of young Jimmy Rimmer
Jimmy Rimmer
John James "Jimmy" Rimmer is an English former footballer who played as a goalkeeper in the Football League for Manchester United, Swansea City, Arsenal and Aston Villa. He was capped once for England....
meant that Gaskell was still third-choice at the club, so he left in the summer of 1969.
On departing from Old Trafford
Old Trafford
Old Trafford commonly refers to two sporting arenas:* Old Trafford, home of Manchester United F.C.* Old Trafford Cricket Ground, home of Lancashire County Cricket ClubOld Trafford can also refer to:...
, Gaskell signed for Wrexham and remained there for three years, before moving to South Africa, where he played for Arcadia Shepherds
Arcadia Shepherds F.C.
Arcadia Shepherds are a South African football club based in Arcadia, Pretoria that currently plays in the Vodacom League.-History:The club was founded in 1903, and was briefly renamed to Arcadia United in the seasons from 1963-68...
until his retirement.