David Preece (footballer)

Infobox Football biography
playername = David Preece


fullname = David William Preece
dateofbirth = May 28, 1963
cityofbirth = Bridgnorth, Shropshire
countryofbirth = England
dateofdeath = death date and age|2007|7|20|1963|5|28
cityofdeath = Luton, Bedfordshire
countryofdeath = England
height = 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
position = Midfielder
youthyears = 1978-1980
youthclubs = Walsall
years = 1980–1984
1984–1995
1995–1996
1995
1996
1996–2001
2001–2002
2002
2002-2003
2003
clubs = Walsall
Luton Town
Derby County
→Birmingham City (loan)
→Swindon Town (loan)
Cambridge United
Torquay United
Enfield
Stevenage Borough
Enfield
caps(goals) = 111 0(5)
336 (21)
013 0(1)
006 0(0)
007 0(1)
075 0(2)
006 0(0)
016 0(0)
000 0(0)
015 0(0)
nationalyears = 1989
nationalteam = England B
nationalcaps(goals) = 003 0(0)

David Preece (May 28, 1963 – July 20, 2007) was an English professional footballer who played in midfield. He was born in Bridgnorth. He played three times for the England B team.

Career

Preece began his career as an apprentice with Walsall, turning professional in July 1980. His debut came the following year, as a substitute in the 2-1 win against Chester City. He was signed by Luton Town manager David Pleat in December 1984 and scored on his debut, a 1-0 win at home to Aston Villa. He went on to win a League Cup winners medal with Luton in 1988 and played nearly 400 times for Luton's first team. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/luton_town/6909924.stm BBC "Luton legend David Preece dies aged 44" 21 July 2007] ] He had a testimonial game against Manchester United in 1995 before moving to Derby County on a free transfer in August that year.

He was a bit-part player at Derby, and so he was loaned to both Birmingham City and Swindon Town. In September 1996 he joined Cambridge United on a free transfer. He made 75 appearances there and was appointed as manager Roy McFarland's assistant, before he joined Torquay United as a player/coach, again under McFarland in August 2001. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/torquay_united/1466790.stm Preece linked with Torquay move] ] His contract with Torquay was terminated in July 2002, a move which also led to McFarland's resignation, with Torquay chairman Mike Bateson claiming cuts were needed after the collapse of ITV Digital and subsequent reduction in income. [ [http://www.bbc.co.uk/devon/sport/042002/23/football_money.shtml Torquay manager McFarland is first victim of ITV Digital collapse] ] He joined Enfield as a player, but left in December 2002 to become assistant manager of Stevenage Borough. [ [http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?newsmode=FULL&nid=7777 Preece appointed as Stevange number two] ] However, a change of manager at Stevenage saw Preece return to Enfield as player-coach in February 2003. [ [http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?newsmode=FULL&nid=8508 Preece returns to Enfield] ]

In May 2003, Preece was appointed as first-team coach of Telford United. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/telford/3044367.stm Preece handed Telford role] ] In September 2004 he was appointed as assistant manager of Isthmian League side Walton & Hersham. [ [http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?newsmode=FULL&nid=20831 Preece joins Swans as number two] ]

Preece died in the early hours of July 20, 2007 after a short illness. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/luton_town/6909924.stm Luton legend Preece dies aged 44] ] At the time he had been in remission for one year following surgery for throat cancer.

The family stand at Luton Town FC Kenilworth Road has since been named The David Preece stand in memory of him

References

External links

* [http://www.lutontown.premiumtv.co.uk/page/GreatHattersDetail/0,,10372~218965,00.html Profile] at official Luton Town website
*soccerbase|id=6450|name=David Preece
* [http://www.saddlers.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/0,,10428~1076302,00.html Walsall F.C. Tribute]
* [http://www.lutontown.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10372~1076295,00.html Luton Town Tribute]
* [http://www.rivals.net/default.asp?sid=931&p=2&stid=8451786 NMFE Tribute]