David Partridge
Encyclopedia
David William Partridge (born 26 November 1978) is an English-born Welsh
professional footballer who plays for Thurrock
. He plays as a defender
and has won seven caps for Wales
. He was released by Cambridge at the end of the 2010–11
season, and joined Thurrock at the start of the 2011–12
season.
, London
, Partridge joined West Ham United as an apprentice in August 1996 but did not break into the first-team and joined Dundee United
for a fee of £40,000 in March 1999. An agreed move to Plymouth Argyle
, where he would have linked up with his former Dundee United manager, Paul Sturrock
, in August 2001, fell through and Partridge eventually joined English Division Three
side Leyton Orient
in January 2002 on a three-month loan, having made 75 league and cup appearances for Dundee United in three seasons. Having made three appearances, Partridge was sent off on his home debut for Leyton Orient, after fracturing the jaw of Swansea City
defender Terry Evans with a deliberate elbow. Following his return, he made a further four appearances for Leyton Orient in his loan spell.
on a free transfer in July 2002. Manager Terry Butcher
had spotted Partridge playing for West Ham reserves and brought him to Dundee United where he was working at the time. When Butcher took over at Motherwell, he made Partridge his first signing. His performances for Motherwell led to him being called up for the Wales national football squad in January 2005. Butcher said of Partridge, "It just shows what players can achieve if they knuckle down and work hard [...] He's a left-footed centre-half and there are not many good ones about. If you do well at Scottish Premier level, which is still a good standard, then you have a great chance to show what you can do on the international stage. David is in a good position to go on from here and establish himself with Wales, I've always had a good feeling about him." Partridge made a total of 86 league and cup appearances in three seasons for Motherwell.
for £150,000 at the start of the 2005–2006 season, signing a three-year contract. Manager Brian Tinnion
described him as "..a left-sided central defender, a tough character who will inspire." He made 13 league and cup appearances for Bristol City in the 2005–2006 season but following the arrival of Gary Johnson
as manager and a breach of club discipline for which Partridge and other players were fined two weeks' wages after being arrested on suspicion of violent disorder following an incident in a nightclub in October 2005, he was sent out on loan to Milton Keynes Dons
in January 2006 until the end of the season. He was transfer listed in May 2006 after returning from Milton Keynes Dons and joined Leyton Orient
on a one-month loan at the start of the 2006–2007 season with a view to a permanent transfer. However, in September 2006, he was sentenced to two months in prison alongside teammates Bradley Orr
and Steve Brooker
for his part in the "drink-fuelled brawl" at a nightclub in the previous October. He was released after one month but was unable to win back a first-team place at Bristol City and joined Brentford on a one-month loan in January 2007. On his third appearance for Brentford against Yeovil
, he was sent off for headbutting and subsequently his loan spell was not extended. Partridge returned to Bristol City and then joined Swindon Town
on a one-month loan in March 2007. His lack of fitness however meant that he did not make an appearance for Swindon and he returned to Bristol City the following month. A broken hand suffered during the summer of 2007 meant that he missed all of pre-season training and was ruled out of the start of the 2007–08 season. His contract with Bristol City was terminated by mutual consent In August 2007.
on 20 December2007 as a free agent. However, he made no appearances for the Football League Two
side.
runners-up St Patrick's Athletic on 29 January 2008. Initially used at left back, he soon settled into a centre-half spot where he impressed greatly as a solid, no-nonsense defender with very good distribution of the ball out of defence. Injury and suspensions have halted his progress with the Saints though he returned to the first team for the 2009 season.
side Cambridge United
in January 2010 as a replacement for the departing Wayne Hatswell
.
in February 2005. He went on to make further appearances in Wales' 2006 World Cup
qualifying campaign against Austria
, Slovenia
England
, Poland
and Northern Ireland
. His last appearance for Wales was the friendly game against Trinidad & Tobago in May 2006.
Welsh people
The Welsh people are an ethnic group and nation associated with Wales and the Welsh language.John Davies argues that the origin of the "Welsh nation" can be traced to the late 4th and early 5th centuries, following the Roman departure from Britain, although Brythonic Celtic languages seem to have...
professional footballer who plays for Thurrock
Thurrock F.C.
Thurrock F.C. are an English football club based in Aveley, Thurrock, Essex. Known as Purfleet until 2003, the club are currently members of the Conference South and play at Ship Lane.-History:...
. He plays as a defender
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
and has won seven caps for Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
. He was released by Cambridge at the end of the 2010–11
2010–11 in English football
The 2010–11 season was the 131st season of competitive football in England.The season began on 6 August 2010 for the Football Leagues, with the Premier League and Football Conference both starting eight days later on 14 August 2010. The Championship, League One, and League Two ended on 7 May...
season, and joined Thurrock at the start of the 2011–12
2011–12 in English football
The 2011–12 season is the 132nd season of competitive football in England.The season began on 5 August 2011 for the Football Leagues, with the Premier starting eight days later, League Football Conference Starting one day before Premier League starts.The Championship, League One, and League Two...
season.
Dundee United
Born in WestminsterCity of Westminster
The City of Westminster is a London borough occupying much of the central area of London, England, including most of the West End. It is located to the west of and adjoining the ancient City of London, directly to the east of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and its southern boundary...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, Partridge joined West Ham United as an apprentice in August 1996 but did not break into the first-team and joined Dundee United
Dundee United F.C.
Dundee United Football Club is a Scottish professional football club located in the city of Dundee. Formed in 1909, originally as Dundee Hibernian, the club changed to the present name in 1923...
for a fee of £40,000 in March 1999. An agreed move to Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth Argyle F.C.
Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the...
, where he would have linked up with his former Dundee United manager, Paul Sturrock
Paul Sturrock
Paul Whitehead Sturrock is a Scottish football manager who, since July 2010, is the manager of Southend United. Until this appointment, Sturrock had most recently been at English League 1 club Plymouth Argyle in a business support role, having been relieved of his managerial duties, until he quit...
, in August 2001, fell through and Partridge eventually joined English Division Three
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Leyton Orient
Leyton Orient F.C.
Leyton Orient F.C. are an English professional football club in East London. They currently play in Football League One and are known to their fans as the O's.Leyton Orient have spent one season in the top flight of English football, in 1962–63...
in January 2002 on a three-month loan, having made 75 league and cup appearances for Dundee United in three seasons. Having made three appearances, Partridge was sent off on his home debut for Leyton Orient, after fracturing the jaw of Swansea City
Swansea City A.F.C.
Swansea City Association Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Swansea, Wales. One of the most successful clubs in Welsh football, it has won 10 Welsh Cups and led the English Football League First Division in December 1981, before finishing the season in 6th position...
defender Terry Evans with a deliberate elbow. Following his return, he made a further four appearances for Leyton Orient in his loan spell.
Motherwell
Partridge joined MotherwellMotherwell F.C.
Motherwell Football & Athletic Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire. The club compete in the Scottish Premier League and are one of only seven teams to have remained in this league since it was founded in 1998...
on a free transfer in July 2002. Manager Terry Butcher
Terry Butcher
Terence Ian "Terry" Butcher is an English football manager and former player. He was a highly successful football player and made his name as an uncompromising defender with Ipswich Town and Rangers in the 1980s. He was also a captain of England and won 77 caps in a ten-year international career...
had spotted Partridge playing for West Ham reserves and brought him to Dundee United where he was working at the time. When Butcher took over at Motherwell, he made Partridge his first signing. His performances for Motherwell led to him being called up for the Wales national football squad in January 2005. Butcher said of Partridge, "It just shows what players can achieve if they knuckle down and work hard [...] He's a left-footed centre-half and there are not many good ones about. If you do well at Scottish Premier level, which is still a good standard, then you have a great chance to show what you can do on the international stage. David is in a good position to go on from here and establish himself with Wales, I've always had a good feeling about him." Partridge made a total of 86 league and cup appearances in three seasons for Motherwell.
Bristol City
Partridge joined Bristol CityBristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
for £150,000 at the start of the 2005–2006 season, signing a three-year contract. Manager Brian Tinnion
Brian Tinnion
Brian Tinnion is a British former footballer and ex-manager. He made over 450 appearances for Bristol City, including a spell as player-manager...
described him as "..a left-sided central defender, a tough character who will inspire." He made 13 league and cup appearances for Bristol City in the 2005–2006 season but following the arrival of Gary Johnson
Gary Johnson (footballer)
Gary Johnson is an English football manager and former player. He was most recently the manager of Npower League Two's Northampton Town....
as manager and a breach of club discipline for which Partridge and other players were fined two weeks' wages after being arrested on suspicion of violent disorder following an incident in a nightclub in October 2005, he was sent out on loan to Milton Keynes Dons
Milton Keynes Dons F.C.
.Milton Keynes Dons Football Club is an English professional football club founded in 2004 and based since 2007 at Stadium mk, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire...
in January 2006 until the end of the season. He was transfer listed in May 2006 after returning from Milton Keynes Dons and joined Leyton Orient
Leyton Orient F.C.
Leyton Orient F.C. are an English professional football club in East London. They currently play in Football League One and are known to their fans as the O's.Leyton Orient have spent one season in the top flight of English football, in 1962–63...
on a one-month loan at the start of the 2006–2007 season with a view to a permanent transfer. However, in September 2006, he was sentenced to two months in prison alongside teammates Bradley Orr
Bradley Orr
Bradley James Orr is an English defender currently playing for Queens Park Rangers. He has played for the club since July 2010, joining for an undisclosed fee from Bristol City....
and Steve Brooker
Steve Brooker
Stephen Michael "Steve" Brooker is an English football striker. In a twelve years professional career he has scored 86 goals in 294 games....
for his part in the "drink-fuelled brawl" at a nightclub in the previous October. He was released after one month but was unable to win back a first-team place at Bristol City and joined Brentford on a one-month loan in January 2007. On his third appearance for Brentford against Yeovil
Yeovil Town F.C.
Yeovil Town F.C. are an English association football team based in Yeovil, Somerset. The club play in League One after having won the League Two championship in 2004–05...
, he was sent off for headbutting and subsequently his loan spell was not extended. Partridge returned to Bristol City and then joined Swindon Town
Swindon Town F.C.
Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...
on a one-month loan in March 2007. His lack of fitness however meant that he did not make an appearance for Swindon and he returned to Bristol City the following month. A broken hand suffered during the summer of 2007 meant that he missed all of pre-season training and was ruled out of the start of the 2007–08 season. His contract with Bristol City was terminated by mutual consent In August 2007.
Brentford
Partridge signed a one-month contract at BrentfordBrentford F.C.
Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One....
on 20 December2007 as a free agent. However, he made no appearances for the Football League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side.
St Patrick's Athletic
Partridge signed for League of IrelandLeague of Ireland
The League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
runners-up St Patrick's Athletic on 29 January 2008. Initially used at left back, he soon settled into a centre-half spot where he impressed greatly as a solid, no-nonsense defender with very good distribution of the ball out of defence. Injury and suspensions have halted his progress with the Saints though he returned to the first team for the 2009 season.
Cambridge United
Partridge was signed by Conference NationalConference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
side Cambridge United
Cambridge United F.C.
Cambridge United Football Club is a professional football club from Cambridge, England. They are currently playing the 2011-2012 season in the Conference National, the fifth tier of the English league system, where they have competed since 2005 following their relegation from the Football League...
in January 2010 as a replacement for the departing Wayne Hatswell
Wayne Hatswell
Wayne Mervin Hatswell is an English professional footballer, currently player-coach at .-Career:Hatswell began his career with Swindon Supermarine and also played for Witney Town before joining Forest Green Rovers in 1999. During his first season at Forest Green, he made 34 league appearances, and...
.
International career
Partridge qualifies to play for Wales through his father who was born in the Principality. He has represented Wales at Under-18 and Under-16 level, as well as securing an Under-21 cap against Turkey in 1997. He was called up to the senior squad and made his debut in a 2-0 friendly win over HungaryHungary national football team
The Hungary national football team represents Hungary in international football and is controlled by the Hungarian Football Federation....
in February 2005. He went on to make further appearances in Wales' 2006 World Cup
2006 FIFA World Cup
The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 9 June to 9 July 2006 in Germany, which won the right to host the event in July 2000. Teams representing 198 national football associations from all six...
qualifying campaign against Austria
Austria national football team
The Austria national football team is the association football team that represents the country of Austria in international competition and is controlled by the Austrian Football Association ....
, Slovenia
Slovenia national football team
The Slovenia national football team is the national football team of Slovenia and is controlled by the Football Association of Slovenia. The team played their first match in 1992 after the split of Yugoslavia in 1991....
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...
, Poland
Poland national football team
The Poland national football team represents Poland in association football and is controlled by the Polish Football Association, the governing body for football in Poland...
and Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland national football team
The Northern Ireland national football team represents Northern Ireland in international association football. Before 1921 all of Ireland was represented by a single side, the Ireland national football team, organised by the Irish Football Association...
. His last appearance for Wales was the friendly game against Trinidad & Tobago in May 2006.