David Harvey (footballer)
Encyclopedia
David Harvey is a former Scottish internationalist professional association footballer. A goalkeeper, Harvey is best known for his successes with Leeds United.
during their glory era of the 1960s and 1970s.
Harvey was watching but not playing as Leeds won the League Cup
and the Fairs Cup
in 1968, the League championship
in 1969 and the Fairs Cup again in 1971. In 1970, after errors — one major — by Gary Sprake
allowed FA Cup
final opponents Chelsea
to equalise twice at Wembley and force a replay, Harvey replaced Sprake in the Leeds goal.
In 1972 came his break. He only played eleven matches all season, but again he was selected ahead of Sprake for the 1972 FA Cup Final
against Arsenal
, because Sprake was suffering from a knee injury. Leeds won 1–0 with an Allan Clarke
goal. Afterwards, Sprake, allegedly, publicly criticised and insulted Revie and was given a wide berth by both manager and team-mates as a result. He only played once more for the club before he was sold for a world record fee for a keeper and Harvey played 63 times in the 1973 season.
Harvey also made his debut for Scotland
in a 2–0 win over Denmark
, having decided that playing through his father's roots would give him more of an international career than waiting for an England
call. The campaign was a personal triumph for Harvey but another season of underachievement for the team. Harvey was powerless to prevent Ian Porterfield's shot fly above him into the roof of the net to win Sunderland
the 1973 FA Cup Final; he also had no chance with the solitary free-kick which gave A.C. Milan
victory in the European Cup Winners Cup final just days later.
Leeds put together a record 29-match unbeaten start to the 1974 season, guaranteeing the League championship and earning Harvey the title medal he was not entitled to five seasons earlier. He was then selected as Scotland's first-choice keeper for the World Cup in West Germany
, though Scotland went out in the group stage. Revie left the Leeds job the same summer to take over England. Later in the year, Harvey then took the last penalty during the shoot-out at the Charity Shield
game against Liverpool
—he missed.
Leeds' last big season of achievement coincided with a stroke of misfortune for Harvey. He was injured in a car
crash to the extent that he missed the 1975 European Cup Final
against Bayern Munich, replaced by his understudy David Stewart
. Stewart did little wrong, but Leeds were beaten 2–0 by Bayern Munich in Paris
.
There was little more for Harvey and Leeds thereafter. The squad had aged and broken up. Harvey's 16th and last Scotland appearance came in 1976 and he stayed at Leeds until 1980.
with the Vancouver Whitecaps
. He had a spotty first season in Vancouver and was having a solid second season in the NASL
until another car accident put him on the sidelines once again.
.
in 1985, under another old Leeds mate, Trevor Cherry
. He then played 3 league games for Morton
in 1986 before drifting into non-league football with Whitby Town and Harrogate Town before his retirement from the game.
and postman on Sanday
in the Orkney Islands
, and unlike Sprake, remains on good terms with Leeds, his old team-mates and the supporters. Statistically, Harvey is Scotland's most successful post-war goalkeeper.
Leeds United
Harvey was for many years the reserve goalkeeper for Leeds UnitedLeeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
during their glory era of the 1960s and 1970s.
Harvey was watching but not playing as Leeds won the League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
and the Fairs Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
in 1968, the League championship
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
in 1969 and the Fairs Cup again in 1971. In 1970, after errors — one major — by Gary Sprake
Gary Sprake
Gareth Sprake is a Welsh former professional footballer. A goalkeeper, he played for Leeds United and Birmingham City and also won 37 caps for Wales....
allowed FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
final opponents Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
to equalise twice at Wembley and force a replay, Harvey replaced Sprake in the Leeds goal.
In 1972 came his break. He only played eleven matches all season, but again he was selected ahead of Sprake for the 1972 FA Cup Final
1972 FA Cup Final
The 1972 FA Cup Final took place on 6 May 1972 at Wembley Stadium. It was the Centenary final and the 44th to be played at Wembley....
against Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
, because Sprake was suffering from a knee injury. Leeds won 1–0 with an Allan Clarke
Allan Clarke (footballer)
Allan John Clarke , nicknamed "Sniffer", is a former footballer who played in the Football League for Walsall, Fulham, Leicester City, Leeds United and Barnsley, and won 19 international caps for England.-Early career:Clarke started his career at Walsall and made his debut aged 17, in 1963...
goal. Afterwards, Sprake, allegedly, publicly criticised and insulted Revie and was given a wide berth by both manager and team-mates as a result. He only played once more for the club before he was sold for a world record fee for a keeper and Harvey played 63 times in the 1973 season.
Harvey also made his debut for Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
in a 2–0 win over Denmark
Denmark national football team
The Denmark national football team represents Denmark in association football and is controlled by the Danish Football Association , the governing body for the football clubs which are organized under DBU...
, having decided that playing through his father's roots would give him more of an international career than waiting for an England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
call. The campaign was a personal triumph for Harvey but another season of underachievement for the team. Harvey was powerless to prevent Ian Porterfield's shot fly above him into the roof of the net to win Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
the 1973 FA Cup Final; he also had no chance with the solitary free-kick which gave A.C. Milan
A.C. Milan
Associazione Calcio Milan, commonly referred to as A.C. Milan or simply Milan , is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Lombardy, that plays in the Serie A. Milan was founded in 1899 by English lace-maker Herbert Kilpin and businessman Alfred Edwards among others...
victory in the European Cup Winners Cup final just days later.
Leeds put together a record 29-match unbeaten start to the 1974 season, guaranteeing the League championship and earning Harvey the title medal he was not entitled to five seasons earlier. He was then selected as Scotland's first-choice keeper for the World Cup in West Germany
West Germany
West Germany is the common English, but not official, name for the Federal Republic of Germany or FRG in the period between its creation in May 1949 to German reunification on 3 October 1990....
, though Scotland went out in the group stage. Revie left the Leeds job the same summer to take over England. Later in the year, Harvey then took the last penalty during the shoot-out at the Charity Shield
FA Community Shield
The Football Association Community Shield is English football's annual match contested between the champions of the previous Premier League season and the holders of the FA Cup at Wembley Stadium. If the Premier League champions also won the FA Cup then the league runners-up provide the opposition...
game against Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
—he missed.
Leeds' last big season of achievement coincided with a stroke of misfortune for Harvey. He was injured in a car
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
crash to the extent that he missed the 1975 European Cup Final
1975 European Cup Final
The 1975 European Cup Final was a football match held at the Parc des Princes, Paris, on 28 May 1975 between Leeds United and Bayern Munich.-Background:...
against Bayern Munich, replaced by his understudy David Stewart
David Stewart (footballer)
David Stewart is a Scottish former international football goalkeeper. He played for Ayr United, Leeds United, West Bromwich Albion and Swansea City. He played for Leeds in the 1975 European Cup Final...
. Stewart did little wrong, but Leeds were beaten 2–0 by Bayern Munich in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
.
There was little more for Harvey and Leeds thereafter. The squad had aged and broken up. Harvey's 16th and last Scotland appearance came in 1976 and he stayed at Leeds until 1980.
Vancouver whitecaps
Harvey then went to play in CanadaCanada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
with the Vancouver Whitecaps
Vancouver Whitecaps (NASL)
The original Vancouver Whitecaps were founded on December 11, 1973 and during the 1970s and 1980s played in the North American Soccer League . The Whitecaps achieved success, winning the 1979 Soccer Bowl. The Whitecaps of that era included international players such as Alan Ball, but also "home...
. He had a spotty first season in Vancouver and was having a solid second season in the NASL
North American Soccer League
North American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
until another car accident put him on the sidelines once again.
Return to Leeds
He returned to Leeds in 1983, by which time the club had been relegated. By the time he left in 1985, he had played under three of his old team-mates – Clarke, Eddie Gray and Billy BremnerBilly Bremner
William John "Billy" Bremner was a Scottish professional footballer, most noted for his captaincy of the Leeds United team of the 1960s and 1970s. He has since been voted Leeds United's greatest player of all time and has a statue outside the South East corner of Elland Road...
.
Later career in football
Harvey played 6 league games for Bradford CityBradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
in 1985, under another old Leeds mate, Trevor Cherry
Trevor Cherry
Trevor John Cherry is a former England and Leeds United footballer who also captained his country. He was a defender who also played for Huddersfield Town and Bradford City, and managed the latter club....
. He then played 3 league games for Morton
Greenock Morton F.C.
Greenock Morton Football Club are a Scottish professional football club, who currently play in the Scottish Football League First Division. The club was founded as Morton Football Club in 1874, making it one of the oldest senior Scottish clubs....
in 1986 before drifting into non-league football with Whitby Town and Harrogate Town before his retirement from the game.
Career after football
He now works as a farmerFarmer
A farmer is a person engaged in agriculture, who raises living organisms for food or raw materials, generally including livestock husbandry and growing crops, such as produce and grain...
and postman on Sanday
Sanday, Orkney
Sanday is one of the inhabited islands in the Orkney Islands, off the north coast of Scotland. With an area of , it is the third largest of the Orkney Islands. The main centres of population are Lady Village and Kettletoft. Sanday can be reached by Orkney Ferries or plane from Kirkwall on the...
in the Orkney Islands
Orkney Islands
Orkney also known as the Orkney Islands , is an archipelago in northern Scotland, situated north of the coast of Caithness...
, and unlike Sprake, remains on good terms with Leeds, his old team-mates and the supporters. Statistically, Harvey is Scotland's most successful post-war goalkeeper.