David Ford (footballer)
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David Ford is a former professional football player, who played for Sheffield Wednesday F.C., Newcastle United F.C., Sheffield United F.C. and Halifax Town A.F.C.. His career lasted from 1965 to 1976 during which time he made 245 league appearances with 15 as substitute and scored 42 goals. He was an attacking right sided player.
Ford was born in Sheffield on March 2nd 1945, he joined Sheffield Wednesday as an 18 year old in 1963 and made his debut in the 1965-66 season against Sunderland on October 23rd. He scored his first goal in a 1-0 home league victory over Fulham on November 20th 1965. Ford’s career really took off in the latter stages of that first season when he scored 13 goals in 18 league and cup matches between March 5th and May 14th. His goals helped Wednesday reach the 1966 FA Cup final, he scored in the fifth round victory over Huddersfield Town and twice in the quarter final win at Blackburn Rovers. Ford’s greatest career moment happened in that year's F.A Cup final when he scored after 57 minutes to put Wednesday 2-0 up against Everton and on the way to victory after their goalkeeper Gordon West spilled a fierce shot by John Fantham and Ford followed up to slide the ball into the far corner, however Wednesday were defeated as Everton came back to score three times and win the trophy.
David Ford’s second season (1966-67) for Wednesday was also a success he finished the season joint top scorer with John Ritchie with 15 goals, however the goals dried up after this and he was sold to Newcastle United in December 1969. Ford made 26 league appearances in his 14 month stay with Newcastle, scoring three goals. He returned to play in Sheffield in January 1971 when he joined Wednesday’s city rivals Sheffield United. He was not a regular in the United side making only 21 league appearances and scoring twice in over two years. He moved to Halifax Town in July 1973 and played there for three seasons making 83 league appearances and scoring six goals. He was released by Halifax in May 1976 ending David Ford’s professional career.
David Ford has been running his own plumbing and heating business in Sheffield for many years and he is part owner of the Champs sports bar on Ecclesall road in the city.
[edit] Trivia
David Ford appeared on the BBC television football quiz “Quiz Ball” in the winter of 1967 representing Sheffield Wednesday along with fellow player Gerry Young, assistant manager John Marshall and celebrity supporter Stan Barstow.
