By Phil Tooley
This item originally appeared in the Burton Albion matchday programme
On loan from Colchester United midfielder David Perkins was born on 21st June 1982 in St Asaph, North Wales, the same place that ex Liverpool star Ian Rush comes from. As a boy he moved to Heysham in Lancashire and he joined Morecambe's youth system, going on to make his debut in the LDV Trophy as an 18 year old in November 2000.
The Red Imps won 3-2 thanks to a Lee Thorpe hat-trick. The following month he made his Conference debut in a 1-1 draw with Hereford United, who included ex Spireites hero Phil Robinson, at Christie Park.
On his early games David said; "It was a good match at Lincoln and I won the Man of the Match award as well. The standard of football in the Conference was good, a great learning curve that's stood me in good stead."
In his time with The Shrimps he managed a number of cup ties against league opposition. Morecambe lost 1-0 at Brentford, they played a Hull City side that included Nicky Barmby and Boaz Myhill (lost 3-2) and they lost 3-0 at Huddersfield in the LDV. "I don't remember too much about the Hull game, I only seem to remember chasing Barmby around trying to get the ball."
However, in 2002-03, Jim Harvey's side won 2-1 here at Saltergate. "Gary Thompson got the last minute winner that day, it was a massive result for us. We were obviously the underdogs, we won and drew Ipswich in the next round but I didn't play in that game." Mark Allott played for Chesterfield that day and Gareth Davies, who'd equalised Lee Elam's goal, was sent off late on.
In 2005-06 Morecambe lost to Hereford in the play-offs; "It was very frustrating, losing again in the semi's."
His final game for The Shrimps was memorable for the wrong reasons; "It was on Boxing Day in 2006 and I got sent off, I didn't think it was a red card offence." Morecambe were going well at that point, and did indeed make it into the League at the end of the season, but in the January David got there a bit earlier, moving to Rochdale.
Why Dale? "I knew Keith Hill from his playing days at Morecambe, he gave me a bell and the chance of league football was too big to turn down even with Morecambe doing well and Rochdale at the bottom end of the league. Keith's a great manager, I have a lot of time for him. I had a great debut, we beat MK Dons 5-0, I came on as an early sub at right back when Simon Ramsden got injured. Alan Goodall was playing for us that day as well."
There was another big win for David and his new mates that season, 7-2 away at Stockport who'd just had a long run without conceding. "It was another good game, everything we hit went in. We also beat Macclesfield 5-0 when Tommy Lee was in goal."
His first goal for Dale came in a League Cup game against Stoke City who included Shawcross, Lawrence, Sidibe and Delap, a late leveller in a 2-2 draw that saw Rochdale win on pens. Was that his best experience at that point? "Not really, the FA Cup win at Chesterfield with Morecambe was a lot better to be honest!"
Saltergate obviously is a happy hunting ground for the busy engine-roomer, everyone remembers his hat-trick here for Dale in their 4-3 win. "I don't know what happened that day but I wouldn't mind a few more days like it, I'll tell you that!"
That season Morecambe reached the play-offs but lost on penalties to Dagenham & Redbridge. "It was disappointing to lose on penalties but that's all in the past now."
The Spotland side made the play-off final that season but David missed the Wembley final against Stockport. He was red carded having scored in the semi against Darlington; "It was really disappointing to miss out. I was there watching and I'd have rather been there than not been there, so I can't complain too much."
In the summer he moved on; "Colchester came in, Stockport were interested as well but Geraint Williams signed me on for Colchester and last season I played a lot but we had three managers in a year and things weren't too stable so it didn't do me any favours and that's why I've ended up here at Chesterfield."
Despite his birth in Wales to Welsh parents, he has in fact captained England, the 'C' team, made up of non-league players.
David played in the European Challenge Trophy, won by England. He played in a 3-1 win over Italy at Cambridge United and a 2-0 win in Belgium in the 2005-06 season. The tournament was won by beating Holland 4-1, but Perkins didn't play in that game.
Team mates in that tournament included Andy Bishop, George Boyd, Jon Shaw and Craig Mackail-Smith whilst Anthony Elding, Karl Hawley and Ismail Yakubu were all alongside him as England won in Italy in 2004.
"We had some good sides on paper and lots of the players are now doing well in their own right in the league. Barnet's Paul Fairclough was manager and Morecambe were brilliant letting me join up with England, quite a few Morecambe lads were involved. My best memories are from when I was captain a couple of times."
Now at Saltergate David's aims are simple; "I just want to get as many starts as I can and get more points on the board for Chesterfield Football Club. I should have had a goal on my debut against Accrington, but you have to be there to miss it! At least we got three points and that's the main thing."
After that sub appearance against Stanley, David has played the full 90 at Bournemouth and Hereford, putting in the miles in busy performances that brought contrasting results. He was unable to play in the JPT against Huddersfield as he appeared for Colchester in an earlier round.
Welcome to Saltergate David.
Phil Tooley
