David Serella (born 24 September 1952) is an English former professional footballer who played 376 league and cup matches for Nottingham Forest, Walsall, and Blackpool.[1][2]
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 24 September 1952 | ||
| Place of birth | Kings Lynn, England | ||
| Position(s) | Central Defender | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1970–1974 | Nottingham Forest | 65 | (0) |
| 1974–1982 | Walsall | 267 | (12) |
| 1982–1984 | Blackpool | 44 | (5) |
| Total | 376 | (17) | |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Serella now lives and works in Lytham St Annes.[3]
He was one of the two players assaulted by Newcastle fans during the 1974 sixth round FA Cup tie on 9 March 1974, whilst playing in central defence alongside Bob Chapman.[4] Newcastle United fans invaded the pitch and although the match was completed the FA ordered that the game was scrubbed from the record books and replayed at Goodison Park.[5][6]
In May 2007 Serella stood for election in the Kilnhouse Ward of the Fylde Borough Council local council elections.[7]
In February 2017, Serella revealed to BBC Radio 2 that he was living with a form of pre-dementia caused by chronic traumatic encephalopathy.[8] The disease is associated with repeated blows to the head and is well known for affecting boxers and American football players. Serella was discussing with Vanessa Feltz the results of a study that showed soccer players, particularly central defenders called upon to head heavy footballs frequently, to be at risk from the disease.
References
edit- ^ Professional Footballers' Association Football League Players Records, 1946-92 Barry J. Hugman ISBN 1-869833-20-1 P543
- ^ http://www.neilbrown.newcastlefans.com/player/daveserella.html [bare URL]
- ^ "Nottingham Forest FC Official Website". Archived from the original on 22 July 2012.
- ^ "IC Newcastle".
- ^ "Express.co.uk". 3 March 2012.
- ^ "Thisisnottingham.co.uk". Archived from the original on 5 May 2013.
- ^ "Blackpoolgazette.co.uk".
- ^ "Vanessa Feltz sits in, Jeremy Vine - BBC Radio 2". BBC. Retrieved 15 February 2017.