MEN 1873-1895
MEN 1895-2024
WOMEN 2018-2024
 

Dave Markey

OVERALL STATISTICS

BIRTHAGESIGNED ONFROM
3-2-1945
N/A
Date unknown.
St.Helens Juniors
DEBUTLAST MATCHLEFT
12-09-1964 v Blackpool Borough
Salford
1966- Widnes
CAREERAPPEARANCES (SUBS)
1964-1966
12 (5)
TRIESGOALSDGOALSPTS
2
0
0
6

Biography of Dave Markey



HERITAGE NO : 820

Dave Markey by Alex Service

A forceful second row forward, local product Dave Markey made his debut in the First Team against Blackpool Borough on 12th September 1964. He was initially on the bench, with Peter Harvey for this game, which the Saints won 37-5. The game itself was characterised by a hat-trick from stand-off Keith Northey, together with a brace [and 5 goals] from scrum-half Alex Murphy.

A regular member of what was quite a strong A Team at Knowsley Road, Dave played for the seniors on seven occasions, with five more as substitute, scoring two tries. It was always extremely competitive for places in the back-row at the time of Dave`s arrival, with the likes of John Mantle, Ray French, John Warlow, Mervyn Hicks, Jimmy Mustrad and others all vying for a spot. Dave`s last match for the Saints was in the Floodlit trophy Preliminary round [second leg] against Salford at Knowsley Road. The Saints won comfortably by 40-5. He moved to Widnes, with Ray French, as part of the deal that took Frank Myler to Knowsley Road. Dave has kept his links with the St. Helens club and remains a staunch member of the Saints` Past Players Association. It is quite true to say that he is also a popular and respected figure in the local community of Eccleston.

Dave passed away in February 2019, at the age of 74 after a long illness.


His obituary is reproduced as follows. A local lad Dave went to Windleshaw Primary School and finished his education at St Teresa's. He was a fine all-round sportsman in his youth and as a goalkeeper for the Town Team attracted the attention of Manchester City. Alas, his parents urged him to continue with his apprenticeship at Pilkingtons as a glass cutter, rather than the somewhat precarious rout of professional football, but semi-professional rugby league was soon to beckon.

His rugby career came to prominence with Ruskin Park Colts, from where he was signed by St Helens RFC. A forceful and belligerent second row forward, who relished the physical contact side of the sport, Dave made his debut in the First Team against Blackpool Borough on 12th September 1964. He was initially on the bench, with Peter Harvey for this game, which the Saints won 37-5. The game itself was characterised by a hat-trick from stand-off Keith Northey, together with a brace [and 5 goals] from scrum-half Alex Murphy.

A regular member of what was quite a strong A Team at Knowsley Road, Dave played for the seniors on seven occasions, with five more as substitute, scoring two tries. It was always extremely competitive for places in the back-row at the time of Dave's arrival, with the likes of John Mantle, Ray French, John Warlow, Mervyn Hicks, Jimmy Mustard and others all vying for a spot. Dave's last match for the Saints' first team was when he came off the bench in the Floodlit trophy Preliminary round [second leg] against Salford at Knowsley Road, on 26th September 1966.

He damaged knee ligaments in the Challenge Cup quarter final against Swinton in 1966 and could, conceivably, have been on the bench for the Wembley showdown with Wigan. Yet he remained stoic. Just to be in a dressing room, surrounded by the likes of Vollenhoven, Murphy, Watson and men like these was just fantastic and a privilege few rugby league players had", he recalled several years ago. "They are priceless memories that will never leave me."

He married Margaret [Catterall] in 1966 and early in the 1967-68 season, Dave was transferred to Widnes, with Ray French, as part of the deal that took Frank Myler to Knowsley Road. Dave played 18 times for the Chemics, scoring one try. He enjoyed the experience, but he was a St Helens lad at heart and never really wanted to leave Knowsley Road.

When he retired after his Widnes sojourn, he returned to one of his first loves: football and kept goal for Pilkingtons. In the summer months he was a wicketkeeper with St Helens Recs and played with distinction for a number of years in the Liverpool Competition. He also had a spell when he put the boots on once again to help the A team out at Knowsley Road. Dave also coached the youth teams at Ruskin Park and Blackbrook. Dave always kept himself fit with regular visits to the gym and trained at West Park RUFC when he could. He also loved to sing and was a member of the Woodlanders, a well-known group on the local scene.

After leaving Pilkingtons, he became a Classroom Assistant at Nugent House, a natural transition, according to his son, Chris: "Dad loved to help youngsters develop generally, not just in sport, and this role came quite naturally to him. He was truly selfless and remained heavily involved with St Julie`s Primary School and the Church in Eccleston".

Dave maintained strong links with St. Helens RFC and remained a staunch committee member of the Saints' Players Association, right from its inception in the late 1970s. "He loved going to other Associations functions," remembers Chris. "He loved talking to those who he played against He was extremely proud to have represented his home town teams Saints in particular. When he received news of his Heritage Number recently [820], he was so thrilled."

PLAYER HONOURS

SEASON STATISTICS

Season (Official Matches)TriesGoalsDGoalsMatches
1964~652 0 0 3
1965~66 0 0 0 4
1966~67 0 0 0 5
TOTALS:2 0 0 12
Season (Other Matches)TriesGoalsDGoalsMatches
1966~670001
TOTALS:0001

ALL MATCHES

DateMatchPosOpponentsCompVenueFTFTOTGDG
12th Sep 1964 1
W
 15 Blackpool Borough L H 37 5 VIEW
26th Sep 1964 2
W
 11 Featherstone Rovers L A 30 15 2 VIEW
10th Oct 1964 3
W
 12 Blackpool Borough L A 31 9 VIEW
28th Aug 1965 4
W
 15 Castleford L A 19 15 VIEW
30th Aug 1965 --NPS
W
 15 Whitehaven L H 30 5 VIEW
4th Sep 1965 --NPS
W
 15 Warrington L A 11 2 VIEW
1st Oct 1965 --NPS
W
 15 Oldham L H 23 17 VIEW
16th Oct 1965 5
W
 12 Salford L A 15 11 VIEW
29th Jan 1966 --NPS
W
 15 Halifax L A 5 2 VIEW
19th Feb 1966 6
L
 15 Wakefield Trinity L A 12 20 VIEW
12th Mar 1966 --NPS
W
 15 Huddersfield L A 8 7 VIEW
23rd Mar 1966 --NPS
W
 14 Leigh L A 6 5 VIEW
26th Mar 1966 --NPS
L
 14 Wigan L A 8 17 VIEW
2nd Apr 1966 7
W
 15 Hull Kingston Rovers CC3 H 12 10 VIEW
12th Aug 1966 --
L
 15 Swinton* Fr Gallie Cup H 13 27 VIEW
19th Aug 1966 8
D
 12 Widnes L A 10 10 VIEW
23rd Aug 1966 9
L
 12 Warrington L H 6 10 VIEW
27th Aug 1966 10
W
 12 Salford L H 42 7 VIEW
29th Aug 1966 11
L
 12 Wakefield Trinity L A 15 28 VIEW
26th Sep 1966 12
W
 15 Salford FTP(2) H 40 5 VIEW
*Unofficial Match. **Non Playing Sub.
WINS : 14 | LOSSES : 5 | DRAWS : 1

GALLERY





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