David Shawcross RIP

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David Shawcross (3.7.1941 - 7.11.2015)
More sad news, with the announcement of the passing on Saturday of one of County's 1966-67 Championship winning side.

A former Manchester Boys player, Dave had already recorded 55 first team appearances for Manchester City, mostly in the top flight. His City debut came in August 1958 when the Maine Road side beat Nottingham Forest in Division one. After their relegation in 1963, despite the fact that they were struggling to adjust to the lower level, Dave only played a handful of games, but he was top scorer for the reserve side in 1963-64.

His free transfer move to the Hatters came about on 10 June 1965, and his first game in a County shirt came during the pre-season tour to West Germany in August, playing and scoring against VLF Bochum. Back in the UK his League debut for the club in the season's opener, a 0-1 defeat at Chester. In that first season, as County started their recovery from the previous seasons 92nd place finish, Dave missed only a handful of games. His goal tally of 10 was only beaten by centre forward Len White.

In the 1966-67 season Dave added another 5 goals in a 17 game stint during the first six months. He was to miss out on the end of season celebrations however, as after playing in a 2-0 victory at Port Vale, he left the club. County fixed up a deal for Halifax Town striker Bill Atkins and David went to the Yorkshire club in part exchange. Both players made their debuts for their new clubs against their old ones the following Saturday, with top of the table Hatters winning 1-0.
Dave had a good three and a half year spell at The Shay, playing nearly 150 games and scoring 24 goals. The highlight was his ever present 1968-69 season as Halifax claimed promotion with a second paced finish in League Division Four.

Dave next tried his luck in Ireland turning out for Drogheda during the 1970-71 season, and reaching the FAI Cup Final, where Drogs lost to Limerick in a replay. On his return to England he lived in the Stockport area and played for Altrincham and Macclesfield Town in the Northern Premier League and Droylsden in the Cheshire League. One of his goals for the Butchers Arms side came in a pre-season friendly in August 1973, when he scored a penalty in the Droylsden's 2-0 win over County.


David also gained two England caps at Youth Level in 1959, and in March 1961 scored for England Under-23s in a 4-1 win again West Germany.

Ian Watts

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