David West (footballer)
Encyclopedia
David Christopher West is an English former professional footballer.
West played for Westwey Dynamoes before joining Weymouth
as a junior. He progressed to the youth set-up at Bournemouth
before joining the youth system at Dorchester Town
. He played for Dorchester YMCA and the England Under-18 team before graduating into Dorchester Town's first team.
He was signed by Bob Paisley
for Liverpool
in 1983 for a fee of £15,000. He played on a pre-season tour of the Netherlands, but had to settle for reserve team football in the Central League, although he did twice make the bench in the European Cup. Disillusioned with reserve team football he asked new Liverpool manager Joe Fagan
if he could go out on loan. Fagan's response was to release him.
He had a trial with Bristol City
before joining Torquay United
in September 1985, making his debut on 14 September in a 3–0 Fourth Division
defeat at home to Chester City
. He played 21 times in Torquay's struggling side before being released after Torquay had finished bottom of the league at the end of the season. He had a trial with a Belgian league side and was offered a contract, but chose to drop into non-league football
with Cheltenham Town
.
In December 1986, while driving home to Weymouth from Cheltenham
, he was involved in a head-on collision with a milk tanker and suffered a number of injuries. On resuming his football career, he played for Dorchester Town, Bashley
and Fareham Town
before retiring at the age of just 27 years to concentrate on his new career as an estate agent.
West played for Westwey Dynamoes before joining Weymouth
Weymouth F.C.
Weymouth F.C. are an English football club based in the town of Weymouth, who currently play in the Southern League Premier Division.-History:Weymouth Football Club were founded in 1890 and played their first game on 24 September of that year...
as a junior. He progressed to the youth set-up at Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth is an English football club currently playing in Football League One. The club plays at Dean Court in Kings Park, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset and have been in existence since 1899....
before joining the youth system at Dorchester Town
Dorchester Town F.C.
Dorchester Town Football Club are a semi-professional football club, based in Dorchester, Dorset, England, and currently playing in the Blue Square Bet South...
. He played for Dorchester YMCA and the England Under-18 team before graduating into Dorchester Town's first team.
He was signed by Bob Paisley
Bob Paisley
Robert "Bob" Paisley OBE was an English football half back turned manager. His association with Liverpool was to span nearly half a century including his contribution to the club, first as a player, then as a physiotherapist and coach, and finally as manager.In nine years as manager between 1974...
for 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...
in 1983 for a fee of £15,000. He played on a pre-season tour of the Netherlands, but had to settle for reserve team football in the Central League, although he did twice make the bench in the European Cup. Disillusioned with reserve team football he asked new Liverpool manager Joe Fagan
Joe Fagan
Joe Fagan was an English football manager best known for being manager of Liverpool F.C. from 1983 to 1985.- Career:Joe Fagan's playing career was largely spent at Manchester City for whom he signed in 1938...
if he could go out on loan. Fagan's response was to release him.
He had a trial with Bristol City
Bristol 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...
before joining Torquay United
Torquay United F.C.
Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
in September 1985, making his debut on 14 September in a 3–0 Fourth Division
Football League Fourth Division
The Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
defeat at home to Chester City
Chester City F.C.
Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
. He played 21 times in Torquay's struggling side before being released after Torquay had finished bottom of the league at the end of the season. He had a trial with a Belgian league side and was offered a contract, but chose to drop into non-league football
Non-league football
Non-League football is football in England played at a level below that of the Premier League and The Football League. The term non-League was commonly used well before 1992 when the top football clubs in England all belonged to The Football League; all clubs who were not a part of The Football...
with Cheltenham Town
Cheltenham Town F.C.
Cheltenham Town Football Club is an English football club playing in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. Founded in 1887, the team has played at four different grounds, namely Agg-Gardner's Recreation Ground, Carter's Field and now the Abbey Business Stadium, although it is more...
.
In December 1986, while driving home to Weymouth from Cheltenham
Cheltenham
Cheltenham , also known as Cheltenham Spa, is a large spa town and borough in Gloucestershire, on the edge of the Cotswolds in the South-West region of England. It is the home of the flagship race of British steeplechase horse racing, the Gold Cup, the main event of the Cheltenham Festival held...
, he was involved in a head-on collision with a milk tanker and suffered a number of injuries. On resuming his football career, he played for Dorchester Town, Bashley
Bashley F.C.
Bashley F.C. is a football club based in Bashley, near New Milton, Hampshire, England. It was established in 1947 and is currently a member of the Southern League Premier Division....
and Fareham Town
Fareham Town F.C.
Fareham Town F.C. is a football club based in Fareham, Hampshire, England. They were formed in 1946 and have reached the 1st round proper of the FA Cup on four occasions in their history. Fareham's most successful exploit in the FA Trophy came in the 1986–87 season when they reached the semi finals...
before retiring at the age of just 27 years to concentrate on his new career as an estate agent.