White: David

1993-1996 (Player Details)

Midfield/Winger

Born: Manchester: 30-09-1967

Debut: Queens Park Rangers (h): 29-12-1993

6’1” 12st 9lb (1993)

He joined Manchester City after serving his apprenticeship and playing for Salford Boys. White was part of the famous 1986 generation, and a proud member of the "Fabulous Five" (Lake, White, Redmond, Brightwell and Hinchcliffe who were the backbone of the team that won the FA Youth Cup in 1985 and became first-team players shortly after). During his eight years as a City player he tormented the opposing defences and together with Niall Quinn formed a lethal attacking power for the Blues. He made one England appearance, against Spain in 1992, two for England ‘B’, six at Under-Twenty-one level and had an outing for the Youth side in a Maine Road career that brought him over a century of goals, including four against Aston Villa in a 5-1 triumph in April 1991. However, after his International call-up his form dipped. White was a powerful force for City during their best campaigns since the mid 1970s as they attained fifth place twice. White was strong, athletic and an extremely fast runner, even by EPL standards. He scored ninety-four goals in three hundred and thirty-three League and Cup games for the Blues and was rated as one of the top goalscorers in the club’s history. He scored seventy-nine goals in two hundred and seventy- three starts and twelve games from the bench in the League and score fifteen in forty-eight games in the Cup competitions. He was also the prime provider of crosses for Niall Quinn who scored most of his goals while White was still at the club. Out went an unhappy David Rocastle and in came David White as United and Manchester City traded right-sided midfielders in a deal that saw both players valued at £2 million apiece. But like Rocastle, White struggled with injury and the burden of replacing the inspirational Gordon Strachan. He never really nailed down a regular first-team place because of ankle trouble and many of his better performances in Leeds colours were as substitute with his powerful, direct running providing goals late in games against tiring teams. He could be devastating when the feeling took him and on one such occasion against Everton on 30th April 1994 he decided that it was the day to do it. United had struggled and were looking second best to the relegation threatened men from Goodison, who had squandered several good chances to put them ahead in the first-half. With the score 0-0 and sixty-seven minutes already elapsed White replaced Noel Whelan. One minute after his arrival White set up Rod Wallace who hit the post with a header from White’s cross. Four minutes later United were ahead as White swerved past David Unsworth and was deep into the penaty area when he was halted by Gary Ablett, but the ball ran loose and Gary McAllister gave United the lead. Everton missed two more easy chances before White put the game beyond their reach three minutes later, when he capped off another strong run with a powerful shot that was deflected into the net by Dave Watson. Right on the final whistle White finally got his name on the scoresheet when another powerful run took him to the edge of the penalty area where he unleashed a superb shot which curled past the diving Neville Southall. That was what White was capable of and understandably few could understand why his Elland Road form was a far cry from the displays he produced for Manchester City, when on his day he could be so devastating. After only making only one EPL start in the 1995-96 season, White was sold to Sheffield United for £500,000 in January 1996. At Bramall Lane, White showed flashes of his old self, that had made him a star at Manchester City a few years before, but he was still bothered by injuries. He scored thirteen goals in fifty-five starts and eleven games from the bench in League games and a further goal from eight starts in the Cup competitions. Unfortunately, he continued to suffer problems with his arthritic right ankle, and made his final appearance in a League Cup match against Wrexham in 1997, before having to admit defeat and retire from the game.