David Ford is a former professional football player, who played for Sheffield Wednesday, Newcastle United, Sheffield United and Halifax Town.
Background
Ford was born in Sheffield, he joined Sheffield Wednesday as an 18-year-old in 1963 and made his debut in the 1965-1966 season against Sunderland on 23 October, coming off the bench to become the first ever substitute used by Wednesday in a League match.
Career
His career lasted from 1965 to 1976 during which time he made 245 league appearances with 15 as substitute and scored 42 goals. He was an attacking right sided player. He scored his first goal in a 1–0 home league victory over Fulham on 20 November 1965.
David Ford’s second season (1966-1967) for Wednesday was also a success he finished the season joint top scorer with John Ritchie with 15 goals.
Tragedy struck during 1967 when he was involved in a serious car accident in which his fiancee was killed. Ford took a long time to recover from the accident making only 14 appearances during the 1967-1968 season and he was eventually sold to Newcastle United in December 1969.
Ford made 26 league appearances in his 14-month stay with Newcastle, scoring three goals. He was not a regular in the United side making only 21 league appearances and scoring twice in over two years.
He moved to Halifax Town in July 1973 and played there for three seasons making 83 league appearances and scoring six goals.
He was released by Halifax in May 1976 ending David Ford’s professional career. David Ford has been running his own plumbing and heating business in Sheffield for many years and he is part owner of the Champs sports bar on Ecclesall road in the city. David Ford appeared on the British Broadcasting Corporation television football quiz “Quiz Ball” in the winter of 1967 representing Sheffield Wednesday along with fellow player Gerry Young, assistant manager John Marshall and celebrity supporter Stan Barstow.
He also now owns the Cross Sythes Public in Totley.