RIP Dave Turner 1948-2022

Back in May our old friend Neil Leatherbarrow contacted us to say that he had heard that Dave Turner had passed away. Sadly, this has now this been confirmed by football historian Ian Nannestad.

David Turner who was born in Derby on 26^th December 1948.  represented Derby Schoolboys at right-half. He was spotted by Everton Scout, Harry Storer, initially joining “The Toffees” on schoolboy forms, becoming an apprentice professional in April 1964. At Goodison he was converted to right-back graduating through their junior teams and working his way up to the Central League side. Dave made just one appearance in Everton’s League team in a     2-1 home win over Chelsea on 20^th April 1968.

Freed by Manager Harry Catterick at the end of 1969-70 season Dave  became one of  Alex Parker’s first signings in May 1970  making a favourable impression with his quick tackling and constructive ability. He was a regular member of the team throughout 1970-71 only losing his place on 18th October 1971 when he suffered damaged ligaments in the home game against Chester and he was out of the side until the following January.

Dave sustained a recurrence of his injury in the opening game of the 1972-73 Championship season and Bobby Sibbald’s consistency cost him his place for all but one game. Released at the end of the season after making a total of 69 (+ 2 sub) appearances, Dave played for Bootle where a further injury effectively put an end to his career.  By the late 1970s he was turning out in Sunday League for   Burscough Legion.  After a spell as a postman he worked for a number of years for a  valve manufacturer in Ormskirk.

MPB