David Webb (footballer)
Encyclopedia
David James Webb is an English former professional footballer who made 555 appearances in the Football League
playing for Leyton Orient
, Southampton
, Chelsea
, Queens Park Rangers
, Leicester City
, Derby County
, A.F.C. Bournemouth
and Torquay United
. He became a manager, taking charge of A.F.C. Bournemouth, Torquay United, Southend United
, Chelsea, Brentford
and Yeovil Town
.
and began his career as an amateur with West Ham United
, but on failing to make the grade joined Leyton Orient
in May 1963. His league debut came in the 1964–65 season, launching what would be a long career in league football. In March 1966, after 62 games (3 goals) for Orient, he moved to Southampton
, with George O'Brien going in the opposite direction. He scored twice in 75 games for the Saints, including a goal on his debut to equalise in a vital 1–1 draw at promotion rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers
, before joining Chelsea
in February 1968.
against Leeds United
at Old Trafford
. During the first game at Wembley
, Webb, playing at right-back, had a nightmare and was tormented throughout the match by the nimble and tricky Leeds winger Eddie Gray as Chelsea were somewhat fortunate to emerge with a 2–2 draw. Manager Dave Sexton
made a tactical switch for the replay, moving Webb to the centre to partner John Dempsey
while the more uncompromising Ron Harris
was detailed to mark Gray. Webb – and Chelsea overall – performed markedly better in the replay and it was he who proved the unlikely hero, heading in the winner from an Ian Hutchinson throw-in in extra time.
The following year Chelsea beat Real Madrid
in another replay to win the European Cup Winners Cup. Although he spent much of his Chelsea career as a right back, he also played in central defence (his original position) and occasionally as a centre forward, once hitting a hat-trick against Ipswich Town
in December 1968. He even played as a goalkeeper for an entire match, also against Ipswich, on 27 December 1971, keeping a clean sheet in the process.
for £120,000, helping Rangers to the runners-up spot in the Football League in the 1975–76 season, their best ever position. Seven goals in 116 games for Rangers were followed by a £50,000 move to Leicester City
in September 1977. He stayed just over a year at Filbert Street, playing 33 games for the Foxes before joining Derby County
in December 1978, his Derby debut coming on the 23rd of December in a goalless draw at home to Aston Villa
. He left the Baseball Ground in May 1980, after 26 games for the Rams (1 goal), joining Bournemouth
.
.
in succession to Bruce Rioch
. At the end of the 1983–84 season, Torquay finished in 9th place and were looking to progress. The following season they finished bottom and Webb himself was forced out of retirement, scoring once in his 2 league appearances that season. On 21 August 1985, Webb became managing director at Torquay, appointing first John Sims
and then Stuart Morgan
to manage the team. Torquay finished bottom again the following season. His spell in charge is not fondly remembered, the team had two disastrous seasons; five of United's better players were released as soon as he took over, others such as Keith Curle
were sold cheaply, and replaced by vastly inferior players; the club colours changed to blue; and a stand at Plainmoor caught fire.
on 17 June 1986. He left Southend in March 1987, just two months before they won promotion to the Third Division. He was re-appointed in November 1988 but couldn't save the club from relegation back to the Fourth Division. He guided Southend to promotion from the old Fourth Division
in 1990 and from the Third Division
a year later. They briefly topped the Second Division
in January 1992 but fell away to mid-table during the final weeks of the season, Webb having resigned in March 1992 and leaving the club at the end of the season. He was appointed assistant to the manager at Southend in March 2010 until the end of the 09/10 season after taking over from Paul Brush
.
. But the club's board did not renew his contract and appointed Glenn Hoddle
instead.
, who had just been relegated to Division Two, in May 1993. He remained in charge for four years before quitting, after two play-off appearances had failed to get them back into Division One.
, but resigned in September 2000 to take over at Southend United again. He left Southend in October 2001, but returned again, as caretaker manager, in November 2003, in between Steve Wignall
leaving and Steve Tilson
taking over.
Webb bought Yeovil Town from Jon Goddard-Watts in December 2005, taking over the role of Chief Executive. He resigned from this position in February 2006 and has since sold his shares to chairman John Fry.
On 9 March 2010, it was announced that Webb would be assisting Steve Tilson
at Southend United until the end of the 2009–10 season.
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
playing for Leyton 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...
, Southampton
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...
, Chelsea
Chelsea 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...
, Queens Park Rangers
Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
, Leicester City
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
, Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
, A.F.C. Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth is an English football club currently playing in Football League One. The club plays at Dean Court in Kings Park, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset and have been in existence since 1899....
and Torquay United
Torquay United F.C.
Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
. He became a manager, taking charge of A.F.C. Bournemouth, Torquay United, Southend United
Southend United F.C.
Southend United Football Club is an English football club based at Roots Hall Stadium, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, who play in Football League Two. Their home ground is Roots Hall, and the club plan to move into a new 22,000-seater stadium located at Fossetts Farm.-Stadium:The club has had...
, Chelsea, Brentford
Brentford F.C.
Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One....
and Yeovil Town
Yeovil Town F.C.
Yeovil Town F.C. are an English association football team based in Yeovil, Somerset. The club play in League One after having won the League Two championship in 2004–05...
.
Leyton Orient and Southampton
David Webb was born in Stratford, LondonStratford, London
Stratford is a place in the London Borough of Newham, England. It is located east northeast of Charing Cross and is one of the major centres identified in the London Plan. It was historically an agrarian settlement in the ancient parish of West Ham, which transformed into an industrial suburb...
and began his career as an amateur with West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
, but on failing to make the grade joined Leyton 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...
in May 1963. His league debut came in the 1964–65 season, launching what would be a long career in league football. In March 1966, after 62 games (3 goals) for Orient, he moved to Southampton
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...
, with George O'Brien going in the opposite direction. He scored twice in 75 games for the Saints, including a goal on his debut to equalise in a vital 1–1 draw at promotion rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
, before joining Chelsea
Chelsea 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...
in February 1968.
Chelsea
It was with Chelsea that Webb really made his name in football, in particular for his role in Chelsea's win in the 1970 FA Cup finalFA Cup Final 1970
The 1970 FA Cup Final was contested by Chelsea and Leeds United. The match took place on 11 April 1970 at Wembley Stadium and ended 2–2, making it the first FA Cup final to require a replay since 1912...
against Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
at Old Trafford
Old Trafford (football)
Old Trafford is a football stadium in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, England, and the home of Manchester United. With a capacity of 75,811, Old Trafford is the second-largest football stadium in England after Wembley, the third-largest in the United Kingdom and the eleventh-largest in Europe...
. During the first game at Wembley
Wembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
, Webb, playing at right-back, had a nightmare and was tormented throughout the match by the nimble and tricky Leeds winger Eddie Gray as Chelsea were somewhat fortunate to emerge with a 2–2 draw. Manager Dave Sexton
Dave Sexton
David "Dave" Sexton OBE is an English former football manager and player.-Playing career:Son of former professional boxer Archie Sexton, he started his playing career with West Ham United in 1948. Playing mainly at inside-forward, he would finish his career with time at Luton Town, Leyton Orient,...
made a tactical switch for the replay, moving Webb to the centre to partner John Dempsey
John Dempsey (footballer)
John Dempsey is a former footballer who played in the 1960s and 1970s as a defender.Starting his career with Fulham, making his debut in 1963 and 149 appearances over six years, Dempsey was signed for West London rivals Chelsea by Dave Sexton in January 1969 for £70,000...
while the more uncompromising Ron Harris
Ron Harris (footballer)
Ronald Edward Harris , better known as Ron "Chopper" Harris, is a former English footballer who played for Chelsea in the 1960s and 1970s. Harris is widely regarded as one of the toughest defenders of his era - along with players such as Tommy Smith MBE and Norman Hunter - hence the nickname...
was detailed to mark Gray. Webb – and Chelsea overall – performed markedly better in the replay and it was he who proved the unlikely hero, heading in the winner from an Ian Hutchinson throw-in in extra time.
The following year Chelsea beat Real Madrid
Real Madrid
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
in another replay to win the European Cup Winners Cup. Although he spent much of his Chelsea career as a right back, he also played in central defence (his original position) and occasionally as a centre forward, once hitting a hat-trick against Ipswich Town
Ipswich 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....
in December 1968. He even played as a goalkeeper for an entire match, also against Ipswich, on 27 December 1971, keeping a clean sheet in the process.
After Chelsea
He finally left Chelsea in July 1974, having scored 21 times in 230 games, joining Queens Park RangersQueens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
for £120,000, helping Rangers to the runners-up spot in the Football League in the 1975–76 season, their best ever position. Seven goals in 116 games for Rangers were followed by a £50,000 move to Leicester City
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
in September 1977. He stayed just over a year at Filbert Street, playing 33 games for the Foxes before joining Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
in December 1978, his Derby debut coming on the 23rd of December in a goalless draw at home to Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
. He left the Baseball Ground in May 1980, after 26 games for the Rams (1 goal), joining Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth is an English football club currently playing in Football League One. The club plays at Dean Court in Kings Park, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset and have been in existence since 1899....
.
Bournemouth
He played only 11 times for Bournemouth, but in December 1980 was appointed manager, guiding them to promotion to the third division in 1982. He held the position until 10 February 1982, when he was sacked after a 9–0 defeat away to Lincoln CityLincoln City F.C.
Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League....
.
Torquay
In February 1984, after a spell out of the game working as a self-employed salesman, he was appointed manager of Torquay UnitedTorquay United F.C.
Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
in succession to Bruce Rioch
Bruce Rioch
Bruce David Rioch is an English-born football manager and former player. He was manager of Aalborg BK in the Danish Superliga, until his sacking on 23 October 2008....
. At the end of the 1983–84 season, Torquay finished in 9th place and were looking to progress. The following season they finished bottom and Webb himself was forced out of retirement, scoring once in his 2 league appearances that season. On 21 August 1985, Webb became managing director at Torquay, appointing first John Sims
John Sims (footballer)
John Sims is an English former professional footballer, playing as a forward, and football manager....
and then Stuart Morgan
Stuart Morgan
Stuart Edward Morgan is a Welsh former professional footballer and football manager. A central defender, he made 222 appearances in the Football League playing for Torquay United, Reading, Colchester United and A.F.C. Bournemouth...
to manage the team. Torquay finished bottom again the following season. His spell in charge is not fondly remembered, the team had two disastrous seasons; five of United's better players were released as soon as he took over, others such as Keith Curle
Keith Curle
Keith Curle is an English former professional football player, who is currently first team coach at Queens Park Rangers.As a player, he was capped three times by England at senior level.-Playing career:...
were sold cheaply, and replaced by vastly inferior players; the club colours changed to blue; and a stand at Plainmoor caught fire.
Southend
Webb left Torquay to manage Southend UnitedSouthend United F.C.
Southend United Football Club is an English football club based at Roots Hall Stadium, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, who play in Football League Two. Their home ground is Roots Hall, and the club plan to move into a new 22,000-seater stadium located at Fossetts Farm.-Stadium:The club has had...
on 17 June 1986. He left Southend in March 1987, just two months before they won promotion to the Third Division. He was re-appointed in November 1988 but couldn't save the club from relegation back to the Fourth Division. He guided Southend to promotion from the old Fourth Division
Football League Fourth Division
The Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
in 1990 and from the Third Division
Football League Third Division
The Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
a year later. They briefly topped the Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
in January 1992 but fell away to mid-table during the final weeks of the season, Webb having resigned in March 1992 and leaving the club at the end of the season. He was appointed assistant to the manager at Southend in March 2010 until the end of the 09/10 season after taking over from Paul Brush
Paul Brush
Paul Brush is an English former professional footballer who played in the Football League for West Ham United, Crystal Palace and Southend United...
.
Chelsea
Webb returned to Chelsea as manager in February 1993 on a short-term contract to replace Ian Porterfield – another former player. The club were in freefall, without a league win in over two months and threatened with relegation. Under Webb, performances and results gradually improved and the team eventually finished a comfortable 11th in the PremiershipFA Premier League
The Premier League is an English professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the English football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with The Football League. The Premier...
. But the club's board did not renew his contract and appointed Glenn Hoddle
Glenn Hoddle
Glenn Hoddle is an English former footballer and manager who played as an attacking midfielder for Tottenham Hotspur, AS Monaco, Chelsea and Swindon Town and at international level for England....
instead.
Brentford
Webb returned to the game within days, taking the manager's job at BrentfordBrentford F.C.
Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One....
, who had just been relegated to Division Two, in May 1993. He remained in charge for four years before quitting, after two play-off appearances had failed to get them back into Division One.
Yeovil and back to Southend
In March 2000 he took over as manager of Yeovil TownYeovil Town F.C.
Yeovil Town F.C. are an English association football team based in Yeovil, Somerset. The club play in League One after having won the League Two championship in 2004–05...
, but resigned in September 2000 to take over at Southend United again. He left Southend in October 2001, but returned again, as caretaker manager, in November 2003, in between Steve Wignall
Steve Wignall
Steven Leslie "Steve" Wignall is an English former professional football manager and player. During his playing career, Wignall, who played as a central defender, made over 600 appearances in the Football League.-Playing career:...
leaving and Steve Tilson
Steve Tilson
Stephen Brian "Steve" Tilson is an English football manager and former player. He is best known for his time in charge of Southend United...
taking over.
Webb bought Yeovil Town from Jon Goddard-Watts in December 2005, taking over the role of Chief Executive. He resigned from this position in February 2006 and has since sold his shares to chairman John Fry.
On 9 March 2010, it was announced that Webb would be assisting Steve Tilson
Steve Tilson
Stephen Brian "Steve" Tilson is an English football manager and former player. He is best known for his time in charge of Southend United...
at Southend United until the end of the 2009–10 season.