DAVID   MORLEY

Height 6' 1"

Weight 13 2lbs

Defender, Centre back (can play centre forward)

League Appearances 90 ( 4 in the Scottish League)

David Morley was born in St Helens on the 25th of September 1977. He signed as a trainee for Man city on the 1st of August 1995 and made  two sub appearances in the first team, scoring once. From the 13th of March 98 until the 4th of April 98 he was on loan to Ayr where he made 4 appearances. On the 29th of August he was sold for an unknown fee to Southend, clocking up 63 full games. His spell at Carlisle started with a loan deal on the 19th of January 2001, playing 6 games on loan before the deal became permanent when he signed on a free on the 20th of February 2001.

David made his debut for Carlisle away at Hartlepool on the 20th of January 2001.  He immediately impressed and was Carlisle's Man of the Match in the 2-2 draw. Even better was to follow in the next match, Mansfield Town at home on the 27th of January.  Galloway put in a good corner from the right, Morley ran into space on the far post and headed down for a goal on his home debut. Fellow centre back Whitehead scored the other goal in the crucial 2-1 win.

From his first game to the end of the season Morley was ever present, frequently Carlisle's most impressive player. He has deceptive pace, looks up to find a player with good long balls and can cleanly win the ball in crunch situations.

For me Dave Morley was the find of the season. Still only 23 he has shown considerable maturity on the field, never looking hurried but providing accurate passes going forward and safe challenges in defence. 

Unfortunately Dave did not have a settled run in the 2001/02 season. With the new managers desire to play 442 Morley  played in midfield but featured less as the season went on until he struggled to even get on the bench. He moved initially on loan, then on a permanent deal, to Oxford and Ian Atkins,  until the end of the season where he scored freely and seemed to be enjoying his football.  Dave left Oxford at the end of the 2001/02 and has signed for Doncaster Rovers for the 2002/03 season.

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