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DAVE STRINGER
Dave Stringer had 499 appearances for Norwich under his belt when Ron Atkinson signed him for Cambridge United on a free transfer in September 1976. His arrival, crucially, allowed Brendon Batson to revert to his best position at right back. The Championship winning side of 1976-77 was now pretty much in place.
Big Ron felt that, at 31 years old, Dave could do for United what Bobby Moore was doing for Fulham at the time; praise indeed. He described him as a ‘model professional.’ Anyone who had the pleasure of seeing Dave play will know he used his strength and reading of the game to get on with the job of defending quietly, efficiently, without fuss.
Dave would go on to miss just two league games over the course of the next three seasons as United achieved back-to-back promotions and a place in the old Second Division for the first time in the club’s history. At his side throughout was Steve Fallon. All the best sides are built on defensive rocks like these two, United legends both.
Ahead of that momentous first season in the second tier Dave warned his United colleagues that the football would be faster even than in the first division. He knew, he’d played in both divisions. Been there, done that. He was duly voted supporter’s Player of the Year as United finished a creditable 12th.
A hamstring injury suffered against Charlton in February 1980 rudely interrupted Dave’s remarkable run in the side and, with Lindsay Smith preferred to partner Steve Fallon the following season, his time at the Abbey was coming to a close. In October 1980 he accepted an offer to coach Norwich City’s youth team and as team manager he guided the young Canaries to FA Youth Cup success in 1983. In 1987 Dave took over the senior side, leading them to promotion back to the old First Division and to an FA Cup semi-final in 1989. In 1988 he very kindly released Dion Dublin, allowing him to join Cambridge United. Cheers!
In total, across all competitions and over four seasons, Dave made 181 first team appearances in black and amber. He scored just one goal for United, and it would be greatly amiss not to say more about it as it was quite something. It came at Halifax in only his fourth game for the U’s. He took a free-kick fully 50 yards out – in his own half – and, with the aid of a stiff breeze, it sailed straight over the keeper’s head into the net. Eat your heart out David Beckham!!
Watch Dave’s interview with Coconuts TV below
Dave Stringer had 499 appearances for Norwich under his belt when Ron Atkinson signed him for Cambridge United on a free transfer in September 1976. His arrival, crucially, allowed Brendon Batson to revert to his best position at right back. The Championship winning side of 1976-77 was now pretty much in place.
Big Ron felt that, at 31 years old, Dave could do for United what Bobby Moore was doing for Fulham at the time; praise indeed. He described him as a ‘model professional.’ Anyone who had the pleasure of seeing Dave play will know he used his strength and reading of the game to get on with the job of defending quietly, efficiently, without fuss.
Dave would go on to miss just two league games over the course of the next three seasons as United achieved back-to-back promotions and a place in the old Second Division for the first time in the club’s history. At his side throughout was Steve Fallon. All the best sides are built on defensive rocks like these two, United legends both.
Ahead of that momentous first season in the second tier Dave warned his United colleagues that the football would be faster even than in the first division. He knew, he’d played in both divisions. Been there, done that. He was duly voted supporter’s Player of the Year as United finished a creditable 12th.
A hamstring injury suffered against Charlton in February 1980 rudely interrupted Dave’s remarkable run in the side and, with Lindsay Smith preferred to partner Steve Fallon the following season, his time at the Abbey was coming to a close. In October 1980 he accepted an offer to coach Norwich City’s youth team and as team manager he guided the young Canaries to FA Youth Cup success in 1983. In 1987 Dave took over the senior side, leading them to promotion back to the old First Division and to an FA Cup semi-final in 1989. In 1988 he very kindly released Dion Dublin, allowing him to join Cambridge United. Cheers!
In total, across all competitions and over four seasons, Dave made 181 first team appearances in black and amber. He scored just one goal for United, and it would be greatly amiss not to say more about it as it was quite something. It came at Halifax in only his fourth game for the U’s. He took a free-kick fully 50 yards out – in his own half – and, with the aid of a stiff breeze, it sailed straight over the keeper’s head into the net. Eat your heart out David Beckham!!
Watch Dave’s interview with Coconuts TV below
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