- David Pleat
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David Pleat Personal information Full name David John Pleat Date of birth 15 January 1945 Place of birth Nottingham, England Playing position Winger Senior career* Years Team Apps† (Gls)† 1962–1964 Nottingham Forest 6 (1) 1964–1967 Luton Town 70 (9) 1967–1968 Shrewsbury Town 12 (1) 1968–1970 Exeter City 69 (14) 1970–1971 Peterborough United 28 (2[1]) Teams managed 1971–1977 Nuneaton Borough 1978–1986 Luton Town 1986–1987 Tottenham Hotspur 1987–1991 Leicester City 1991–1995 Luton Town 1995–1997 Sheffield Wednesday 1998 Tottenham Hotspur (Caretaker) 2001 Tottenham Hotspur (Caretaker) 2003–2004 Tottenham Hotspur (Caretaker) * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.
† Appearances (Goals).David John Pleat (born Nottingham, England on 15 January 1945) is an English football player turned manager and sports commentator.
He is remembered by his contemporaries primarily for his career as manager of Tottenham Hotspur and Luton Town football clubs, and for an oft-televised clip of him running onto the pitch in 1983 to celebrate after a last-minute goal by Raddy Antic against Manchester City prevented Pleat's team Luton Town from being relegated from Division One.[2][3]
Contents
Club career
Pleat's first club as a senior player was Nottingham Forest (1962–64), which was his local club. From there he moved on to Luton Town (1964–67), Shrewsbury Town (1967–68) and Exeter City (1968–70), where he once played outside left against the team that he was later to manage, Tottenham Hotspur. His playing career ended with a stint at Peterborough United (1970–71), after which he turned to coaching and management.[4]
He made 185 Football League appearances for his five clubs, scoring 26 goals.
International career
As a winger, Pleat represented England at schoolboy and youth level.
Management career
His first coaching position was for Southern League team Nuneaton Borough[4] in 1971.[5]
Luton Town
From there he went to the coaching staff at Luton Town. In January 1978 he was appointed manager of Luton Town. During his nine years as manager there the side was promoted from the Football League Second Division to the First Division and were renowned for playing attacking and attractive football. Many of that team would receive international recognition, including defender Mal Donaghy (Northern Ireland), midfielders Ricky Hill (England) and forwards Brian Stein, Paul Walsh and Mick Harford (all England). Luton never reached the FA Cup final whilst he was manager, though the team that won the 1988 Littlewoods Cup under Ray Harford, beating Arsenal 3–2 in the final, was largely his team of the early and mid-1980s.[4] They were beaten 2–1 by Everton in the semi-final in 1985, in extra time, and in the quarter-final again by Everton in 1986.[6][7] (For more information, see History of Luton Town F.C. (1970–present))
Tottenham Hotspur
In 1986 Pleat was appointed to manager of Tottenham Hotspur. He brought along with him from Luton Mitchell Thomas. His earliest changes at the club were to bring in Nico Claesen and Richard Gough, the latter of whom he paired with Gary Mabbutt in defence, moving Paul Allen into midfield.[4] During his stint as manager, Tottenham Hotspur reached third place in the First Division, reached the FA Cup final, and the semi-final of the Football League Cup in the 1986–87 season. Glenn Moore, writing in The Independent in 1995, described the play during Pleat's stint as Tottenham Hotspur manager as "some of the best attacking football of the last two decades". During this season, he played with just one striker - Clive Allen, who scored 49 goals in all competitions.[8] Pleat's employment as manager of Tottenham came to an end when he was dismissed due to "disclosures about his private life".[9] The board of Tottenham Hotspur also wanted to bring back Terry Venables as manager, since he had also become available.[8]
Leicester City and Luton Town
Pleat went on to manage Leicester City for three years,[10] Luton Town again, and Sheffield Wednesday.[9][11]
Sheffield Wednesday
His first actions as manager for Sheffield Wednesday, a position which he took over from Trevor Francis, were to add Mick Walker and Danny Bergara to the youth management and Mark Pembridge and Marc Degryse to the first team. His first season at Hillsborough was frustrating, as they finished 15th in the Premier League – their lowest finish in five seasons since promotion.
The club won its first four fixtures of the 1996–97 season, against Aston Villa, Leeds United, Newcastle United and Leicester City, earning Pleat the Manager-of-the-Month Award for August 1996 as the Owls topped the Premier League, but their title hopes were short-lived as they failed to maintain this form and finished seventh in the final table. Pleat was sacked in November 1997 with the Owls battling relegation.
Back to Tottenham
He returned to Tottenham Hotspur as Director of Football in 1998.[9][11] In September 2003, after the sacking of Glenn Hoddle, he took over as caretaker manager for Tottenham Hotspur,[11][12] a position that he held until the end of the season.[9][13] This was the third of three occasions in which he had been caretaker manager for Tottenham Hotspur.[9] He had previously been caretaker manager in 1998, before George Graham became manager, during which time the team had four wins, two draws, and one defeat.[5]
Nottingham Forest
In August 2006, Pleat returned to his first and home club, Nottingham Forest, this time as a football consultant, a job which included advising Forest manager Colin Calderwood and scouting potential signings.[14] In August 2009, Pleat had more time available, and was in discussion with the Forest chief executive about expanding his role.[15][16] On the 28th September 2011, Pleat left his role, following the disbanding of the much criticized acquisition panel.[17]
Marbella
In 2008, Pleat took on an advisory role with UD Marbella with responsibility for development of young English players.[18]
Media career
Pleat writes a regular column for The Guardian newspaper, primarily exploring the tactical side of recent matches,[19] and contributes articles to the Daily Mail.[20] He spent several years working for ITV as an commentator, but left in August 2009. He is a regular co-commentator on Radio 5 Live.
In 2011, Pleat is commentator for ESPN UK broadcasts.
References
- ^ Barry Hugman, Rothman's Football League Players Records, Aylesbury: Rothmans Publications, 1981, p. 277
- ^ Patrick Barclay (23 February 2002). "Pleat's soft-shoe shuffle suits Spurs". The Daily Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group Limited). http://telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2431136/Pleats-soft-shoe-shuffle-suits-Spurs.html.
- ^ Nick Greenslade (4 April 2004). "The 10 best managerial celebrations". The Observer (Guardian News and Media Limited). http://observer.guardian.co.uk/osm/story/0,,1182696,00.html.
- ^ a b c d "Pleat's Ready To Bury Jinx". New Straits Times. 15 May 1987.
- ^ a b Phil Shaw (5 October 1998). "Football: Pleat lays foundations for Graham". The Independent. http://independent.co.uk/sport/football-pleat-lays-foundations-for-graham-1176352.html.
- ^ "It's Not Over Yet Says Pleat". New Straits Times. 10 March 1985.
- ^ "Everton In Last Four". New Straits Times. 14 March 1986.
- ^ a b Glenn Moore (16 September 1995). "Pleat sustained by his passion for progress". The Independent. http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/pleat-sustained-by-his-passion-for-progress-1601381.html.
- ^ a b c d e William Johnson (12 September 2003). "Tottenham give Pleat job for rest of season". The Daily Telegraph. http://telegraph.co.uk/sport/2426804/Tottenham-give-Pleat-job-for-rest-of-season.html.
- ^ David Pleat – Former Football Manager, Commentator and After-Dinner Speaker
- ^ a b c Phil McNulty (24 September 2003). "Pleat the Spurs survivor". BBC Sport. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/3135348.stm.
- ^ Richard Bright (22 September 2003). "Hoddle sacked after Spurs' poor start". The Daily Telegraph. http://telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2421916/Hoddle-sacked-after-Spurs-poor-start.html.
- ^ Conrad Leach (12 September 2003). "Spurs extend Pleat's caretaker role until summer". The Independent. http://independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/spurs-extend-pleats-caretaker-role-until-summer-576379.html.
- ^ "Pleat returns … After 46 years!". Nottingham Evening Post. 11 August 2006. http://accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-16364569_ITM.
- ^ "Davies confusion over Pleat role". BBC Sport. 24 August 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/nottm_forest/8216487.stm.
- ^ "Forest boss Davies: Board decide Pleat's role". Nottingham Evening Post. 23 August 2009. http://thisisnottingham.co.uk/football/Forest-boss-Davies-Board-decide-Pleat-s-role/article-1276679-detail/article.html.
- ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15104754.stm
- ^ Former English football player David Pleat named Marbella FC adviser SUR Digital, 7 June 2008
- ^ David Pleat The Guardian
- ^ Pleat David Daily Mail
Further reading
- Brian A. O'Driscoll (14 April 2008). "Retro TV Review: David Pleat — This Charming Man". Soccer Scribe. http://soccerscribe.wordpress.com/2008/04/14/retro-tv-review-david-pleat-this-charming-man/.
- Stuart Jackson. "David Pleat". The Sheffield Wednesday Archive. Adrian Bullock. http://adrianbullock.com/swfc/stats/man0018.htm.
- Barry J. Hugman "The PFA Premier & Football League Players' Records 1946–1998" ISBN 1-85291-585-4
Luton Town F.C. – managers (s) secretary (c) caretakerThompson (1925) · McCartneys (1927–29) · Kays (1929–31) · Wightmans (1931–35) · Liddell (1936–38) · McBain (1938–39) · Martin (1939–47) · Duncan (1947–58) · Owen (1959–60) · Bartram (1960–62) · Crompton (1962) · Harvey (1962–64) · Watkinsc (1964–65) · Martin (1965–66) · Brown (1966–68) · Stock (1968–72) · Haslam (1972–78) · Pleat (1978–86) · Moore (1986–87) · R. Harford (1987–90) · Mancinic (1990) · Ryan (1990–91) · Pleat (1991–95) · Westley (1995) · Lawrence (1995–2000) · Hill (2000) · Fuccillo (2000–01) · Kinnear (2001–03) · Newell (2003–07) · Steinc (2007) · Blackwell (2007–08) · M. Harford (2008–09) · Neilsonc (2009) · Money (2009–2011) · Brabin (2011–present)
Tottenham Hotspur F.C. – managers (c) caretaker (s) secretary-managerBrettell (1898–1899) · Cameron (1899–1907) · Kirkham (1907–1908) · Turner (1908–1912s) · McWilliam (1913–1927) · Minter (1927–1930) · Smith (1930–1935) · Hardinge (1935c) · Tresadern (1935–1938) · McWilliam (1938–1942) · Turner (1942–1946) · Hulme (1946–1949) · Rowe (1949–1955) · Anderson (1955–1958) · Nicholson (1958–1974) · Neill (1974–1976) · Burkinshaw (1976–1984) · Shreeves (1984–1986) · Pleat (1986–1987) · Hartley & Livermore (1987c) · Venables (1987–1991) · Shreeves (1991–1992) · Livermore & Clemence (1992–1993) · Ardiles (1993–1994) · Perryman (1994c) · Francis (1994–1997) · Hughton (1997c) · Gross (1997–1998) · Pleat (1998c) · Graham (1998–2001) · Pleat (2001c) · Hoddle (2001–2003) · Pleat (2003–2004c) · Santini (2004) · Jol (2004–2007) · Allen (2007c) · Ramos (2007–08) · Redknapp (2008–)
Leicester City F.C. – managers Gardner (1884–92) · Marson (1892–94) · Lee (1884–92) · Jackson (1895–97) · Clark (1897–98) · Johnson (1897–1912) · Bartlett (1912–14) · Ford (1914–15) · Linney (1915–19) · Hodge (1919–26) · Orr (1926–32) · Hodge (1932–34) · Lochhead (1934–36) · Womack (1936–39) · Bromilow (1939–45) · Mather (1945–46) · Duncan (1946–49) · Bullock (1949–55) · Halliday (1955–58) · Gillies (1958–68) · O'Farrell (1968–71) · Bloomfield (1971–77) · McLintock (1977–78) · Wallace (1978–82) · Milne (1982–86) · Hamilton (1986–87) · Pleat (1987–91) · Little (1991–94) · McGhee (1994–95) · O'Neill (1995–2000) · Taylor (2000–01) · Bassett (2001–02) · Adams (2002–04) · Levein (2004–06) · Kelly (2006–07) · Worthington (2007) · Allen (2007) · Megson (2007) · Holloway (2007–08) · Pearson (2008–10) · Sousa (2010) · Eriksson (2010–11)
Sheffield Wednesday F.C. – managers Dickinson (1891–1920) · R. Brown (1920–33) · Walker (1933–37) · McMullan (1937–42) · Taylor (1942–58) · Catterick (1958–61) · Buckingham (1961–64) · A. Brown (1964–68) · Marshall (1968–69) · Williams (1969–71) · Dooley (1971–73) · Burtenshaw (1974–75) · Ashurst (1975–77) · Charlton (1977–83) · Setters (caretaker) (1983) · Wilkinson (1983–88) · Eustace (1988–89) · Atkinson (1989–91) · Francis (1991–95) · Pleat (1995–97) · Shreeves (caretaker) (1997) · Atkinson (1997–98) · Wilson (1998–2000) · Shreeves (caretaker) (2000) · Jewell (2000–01) · Shreeves (2001) · Yorath (2001–02) · Green (caretaker) (2002) · Turner (2002–04) · Smith (caretaker) (2004) · Sturrock (2004–06) · McAuley (caretaker) (2006) · Laws (2006–09) · McAuley (caretaker) (2009–10) · Irvine (2010–11) · Megson (2011–)
Categories:- 1945 births
- Living people
- People from Nottingham
- English footballers
- Jewish footballers
- Nottingham Forest F.C. players
- Luton Town F.C. players
- Shrewsbury Town F.C. players
- Exeter City F.C. players
- Peterborough United F.C. players
- English football managers
- Luton Town F.C. managers
- Tottenham Hotspur F.C. managers
- Leicester City F.C. managers
- Sheffield Wednesday F.C. managers
- British association football commentators
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