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Fullname: David Pratt
Born: 5 March 1896
Died: 28 July 1967
Birthplace: Lochore, Fife, Scotland.
Signed: 2 June 1919 (from Hearts o Beath)
Left: 14 Nov 1921 (to Bradford)
Position: Outside-left
Debut: Home, Falkirk, Nov 1919
Internationals: none

Biog

David Pratt began his football career with Lochelly Albert then Lochore United and signed for Celtic in June 1919 from Hearts o’ Beath. Outside-left David made his Celtic debut in a 1-1 league draw at home to Falkirk on November 8th.

He was a war veteran having won the Military Medal in France during the first World War.

A versatile performer ("fast, well-built, tricky, able to do lots of smart things with the ball") he played mainly for Celtic on the left-wing (even though originally though of as a defender), but ultimately couldn’t retain a first team starting spot. Not sure whether Maley discarded him for either not meeting expectations or just that there was a glut of quality players in the recent in-take.

After 22 appearances for the Bhoys he was transferred to Bradford City in November 1921.

David played with Bradford City between 1921 and 1923 then transferred to Liverpool where he signed on in January 1923. He immediately became known for his mighty throw-ins as the Liverpool Echo revealed in the report on Pratt's Liverpool debut in a 3-0 home win against Blackburn Rovers on 17 February 1923: "Pratt was amazing the crowd with some of his throw ins, I swear some reached the middle of the field. If he could develop this “Long Throw” it could be a useful asset if further up the field and would almost be like a corner." He played for Liverpool until 1927.

David then went into management and managed the following clubs, being highly respected. Note, he was even on the shortlist to take over at Arsenal at one point. One thing that made him stand out was that he was a hands-on manager, dictating tactics and refusing to be deskbound (a far cry to many managers at the time).

• 1929–1933 Yeovil Town
• 1933–1934 Clapton Orient
• 1935 Notts County
• 1935–1937 Heart of Midlothian
• 1937 Bangor City
• 1944–1945 Port Vale

During the Second World War, he was a Flying Officer, and despite being the Port Vale manager towards the end of the war, he was unable to get his release from the services or even just the necessary time off, so really he was the manager in name only and little more.

He passed away in July 1967.

Playing Career

Honours with Celtic

[Indicate any known awards (player of the year, etc)]

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