David Peach
Encyclopedia
David Sidney Peach is a former footballer, who played at left back for Southampton
in the FA Cup Final 1976
.
, before moving to Gillingham
as an apprentice in May 1966, turning pro in February 1969. He also played minor counties cricket for Huntingdonshire. He was rated the best player in the Fourth Division and came to the attention of Lawrie McMenemy
who made him his first signing for Southampton in January 1974, for a reported fee of £50,000.
. Peach soon settled into the team initially in midfield before becoming an imaginative, quick thinking attacking left-back and the club’s regular penalty taker. His first penalty was probably the most famous, when he belted home the second goal against Crystal Palace
in the F.A. cup semi-final on 3 April 1976, which took the Saints to the final
against Manchester United
.
Peach also played in the losing League Cup final against Nottingham Forest
on 17 March 1979, scoring the opening goal. He and Nick Holmes
are the only two players to have played in two Cup Finals for Southampton.
He played several times for the England under-21
and ‘B’ teams, and was in the England
squad on their tour of South America in June 1977, although he never played.
On 18 August 1979, he became the highest scoring full-back in the history of the Football League when he scored a penalty against Manchester United.
for £150,000 (then Swindon’s record signing) in March 1980. Signed by Bobby Smith
to replace Town legend John Trollope
, circumstances were against Peach from the very moment he joined the club; his time at Swindon had the worst possible start - his debut coming in 6-2 thrashing at Millwall
.
That defeat, along with the size of the transfer fee, got Peach off to a terrible start with the fans - and he was never a popular player throughout his whole Town career.
By March 1982, Swindon were in financial difficulties and Peach was released to Orient
on a free transfer to reduce the club's wage bill, after a disappointing period at the County Ground.
In moving to Orient, he swapped a team heading for relegation to Division 4 for one heading for relegation from Division 2. Whilst at Orient, he became the first player to have played on every Football League ground.
in Lymington
and Lymington Town
. Nowadays, he lives in the New Forest
where he runs his own building business.
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
in the FA Cup Final 1976
FA Cup Final 1976
The 1976 FA Cup Final took place on 1 May 1976 at Wembley Stadium. It was contested between Manchester United and Southampton.United had finished third in the First Division that season, and were strong favourites, while unfancied Southampton had finished sixth in the Second Division...
.
Chelsea & Gillingham
Peach played briefly as an associate schoolboy for ChelseaChelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
, before moving to Gillingham
Gillingham F.C.
Gillingham Football Club is an English professional football club based in the town of Gillingham, Kent. The only Kent-based club in the Football League, they play their home matches at the Priestfield Stadium...
as an apprentice in May 1966, turning pro in February 1969. He also played minor counties cricket for Huntingdonshire. He was rated the best player in the Fourth Division and came to the attention of Lawrie McMenemy
Lawrie McMenemy
Lawrie McMenemy MBE is a retired English football coach, best known for his spell as manager of Southampton Football Club...
who made him his first signing for Southampton in January 1974, for a reported fee of £50,000.
Southampton
He made his debut in a match that is memorable to Saints fans for all the wrong reasons as Southampton lost 7-0 away to IpswichIpswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
. Peach soon settled into the team initially in midfield before becoming an imaginative, quick thinking attacking left-back and the club’s regular penalty taker. His first penalty was probably the most famous, when he belted home the second goal against Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
in the F.A. cup semi-final on 3 April 1976, which took the Saints to the final
FA Cup Final 1976
The 1976 FA Cup Final took place on 1 May 1976 at Wembley Stadium. It was contested between Manchester United and Southampton.United had finished third in the First Division that season, and were strong favourites, while unfancied Southampton had finished sixth in the Second Division...
against Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
.
Peach also played in the losing League Cup final against Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
on 17 March 1979, scoring the opening goal. He and Nick Holmes
Nick Holmes (footballer)
Nicholas Charles Holmes is a retired footballer, who won the FA Cup Final with Southampton in 1976 and, from July 2002 to July 2010, was general manager of Salisbury City.-Southampton:...
are the only two players to have played in two Cup Finals for Southampton.
He played several times for the England under-21
England national under-21 football team
England's national Under-21 football team, also known as England Under-21s or England U21, is considered to be the feeder team for the England national football team....
and ‘B’ teams, and was in the England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
squad on their tour of South America in June 1977, although he never played.
On 18 August 1979, he became the highest scoring full-back in the history of the Football League when he scored a penalty against Manchester United.
Swindon & Orient
He was transferred to Swindon TownSwindon Town F.C.
Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...
for £150,000 (then Swindon’s record signing) in March 1980. Signed by Bobby Smith
Bobby Smith (football manager)
Robert William "Bobby" Smith is an English former professional footballer and football manager. He was capped by England at Schools and Youth level...
to replace Town legend John Trollope
John Trollope (footballer)
Norman John Trollope MBE is a former footballer, manager and coach who served Swindon Town for twenty years.A Swindon Town legend, Trollope holds the record for the number of league appearances made for one club - turning out for the Town in 770 games between 1960 and 1980, an achievement which...
, circumstances were against Peach from the very moment he joined the club; his time at Swindon had the worst possible start - his debut coming in 6-2 thrashing at Millwall
Millwall F.C.
Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...
.
That defeat, along with the size of the transfer fee, got Peach off to a terrible start with the fans - and he was never a popular player throughout his whole Town career.
By March 1982, Swindon were in financial difficulties and Peach was released to Orient
Leyton Orient F.C.
Leyton Orient F.C. are an English professional football club in East London. They currently play in Football League One and are known to their fans as the O's.Leyton Orient have spent one season in the top flight of English football, in 1962–63...
on a free transfer to reduce the club's wage bill, after a disappointing period at the County Ground.
In moving to Orient, he swapped a team heading for relegation to Division 4 for one heading for relegation from Division 2. Whilst at Orient, he became the first player to have played on every Football League ground.
After football
After retiring from league football, Peach turned out for several Hampshire non-league clubs, including a spell as player-manager at Wellworthy Athletic F.C.Wellworthy Athletic F.C.
Wellworthy Athletic F.C. were a successful works football team based in the New Forest area of the English county of Hampshire.-Club history:...
in Lymington
Lymington
Lymington is a port on the west bank of the Lymington River on the Solent, in the New Forest district of Hampshire, England. It is to the east of the South East Dorset conurbation, and faces Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight which is connected to it by a car ferry, operated by Wightlink. The town...
and Lymington Town
Lymington Town F.C.
Lymington Town F.C. is a football club based in Lymington, England. Known as "The Linnets" they were originally founded in 1876 and played in the Hampshire League for many years.-History:...
. Nowadays, he lives in the New Forest
New Forest
The New Forest is an area of southern England which includes the largest remaining tracts of unenclosed pasture land, heathland and forest in the heavily-populated south east of England. It covers south-west Hampshire and extends into south-east Wiltshire....
where he runs his own building business.
As a player
With Southampton F.C.Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
- FA Cup winner 1976FA Cup Final 1976The 1976 FA Cup Final took place on 1 May 1976 at Wembley Stadium. It was contested between Manchester United and Southampton.United had finished third in the First Division that season, and were strong favourites, while unfancied Southampton had finished sixth in the Second Division...
- League CupFootball League CupThe Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
Runner Up 1979