I saw this on the BBC last night, very sad news. Brilliant attritional footballer, with a great understanding for the game. I enjoyed watching him portrayed in the film 'The Damned United' with actor Michael Sheen as Brian Clough. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/31704507
When Dave was manager of Walsall he signed my nephew but he didn't make it as some of the other players were reluctant to pass the ball to him- as HIS father had played for the Villa…..weird thinking…Dave couldn't do much about that so my nephew quit football... Cheers
A 'Football Giant' in every way. Son of a fine family, Dave played for Scotland at a time when they, too, could claim to be 'Giants'. Joe Brown.
Joe as did my cousin Alex Venters of Rangers….great player - especially when playing against Celtic Cheers
Tom and Joe, thanks for your input. Here is a nice interview with Dave, talking about his time in football. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MA2rATvBoj8
My Grandad described him exactly as the thread title! A Proper footballer ...not one of these modernday @@@@s! RiP Big man! Tom here`s your cousin from the `Rangers` archive elected to the Rangers Hall of Fame in 2006 Also played for Cowdenbeath,Third Lanark,Blackburn Rovers and Raith Rovers.Won three full caps for Scotland plus four wartime caps.Died at the young age of 45 in 1959 (Heart attack) Alex Alex Venters Kyle
Kyle Alex left Rangers in a huff as they wouldn't arrange a benefit for him for playing all through the war….he was just getting ready to work the nightshift as a printer - which was his trade, when he had a massive heart attack and died leaving his wife with four daughters - he was a good man and advised my brother to sign for Aston Villa with Alex Massie and George Cummings he always finished his training by running up and down the terraces at Ibrox - every day and had his trousers specially made to contain his thigh muscles - which is why when he kicked a ball it went square and he lost 5 lbs of weight in every game … He played best for Scotland with Shankly behind him…we were all born in Cowdenbeath…I thought he had 11 Scottish caps. Cheers
good day bamboo43,very senior menber.yesterday.07:01m.re:dave mackay,proper footballer.and gentlleman.may he rest in peace.regards bernard85
Hello Tom, I got the Cap figures from the Scottish FA ? Could be a mistake. I think Alax Venters has a park named after him in Cowdenbeath? 18 Goals against (Total)Celtic! Kyle
Kyle Wouldn't be surprised about the Venters Park as Cowdenbeath - the former mining village - has nothing else to celebrate - went back there about ten years ago - looked the same as it did when we left in 1927 during the Miners strike… Cheers
They've been an interview this week with Dave Mackay from 1999... some interesting anecdotes. When Spurs lost 3-1 to City in the last game of the season 1968, he went into see Bill Nick and demanded a transfer... I think because he didn't think he was up to it anymore.. put on a bit of extra ballast etc. The Billy Bremner kick on the same leg that had been broken twice in a row..in his FIRST game back...that famous photo. best
