We have been informed that David Boyle, a former Chesterfield player, passed away in Bradford on Monday November 16th.
David came through Newcastle United's junior ranks just after the end of the second world war. He was released to Berwick Rangers in 1950, and he played for them while completing his National Service.
With that distraction out of the way David's football career developed. Barnsley came in for him in 1951 but a League start proved elusive; he didn't get that until the age of 23, when Crewe risked £100 to take him to Gresty Road in 1952.
David signed for the Spireites in the summer of 1954. He was a reliable forward at here, where his cause probably wasn't helped by being played in all five front-line positions over two seasons; he ended up in an outside-left berth despite favouring the inside-right position. Nowadays a player with his sort of game would be an attacking midfielder.
David, right, is pictured with Nelson Stiffle and Ollie Thompson
David netted ten times for Chesterfield in 42 Football League games but was allowed to move on after two seasons. He found more of a settled role at Valley Parade, where he spent five years as an effective deputy to a number of their forwards. David settled in Bradford and had a season at Scarborough and four more at Bacup Borough before retirement from playing in 1966, whereupon he worked for Allied Bakeries, of Bradford, rising to the position of a Distribution Manager. Away from football, David became an accomplished crown green bowls player.
We send our condolences to David's friends and family.
SB
