Donald Slade

Born in Southampton in 1888, Donald played for local teams, whilst also serving his time as a bricklayer.

He signed professionally for Blackpool, who spotted his prowess as a goal scorer. However, he didn’t get a chance in the first team, and soon moved back home, signing for Southampton. Again, he only made appearances in the reserves.

Determined to move on, he asked for a transfer, which the board denied. After taking the club to a tribunal, the F.A. overturned the decision, and he moved to Lincoln City on a free transfer. Moves to Arsenal, who paid £1,000 for his signature, and Fulham followed.

When football shut down during WW1, Donald returned to Southampton working at Harland and Wolff’s rolling mills, maintaining the brick linings of the furnaces.

When football returned in 1919, he signed for Dundee, much was expected of him after his previous success in front of goal. The Courier reported that he had “the physique for the job, and could fill all of the inside positions.” He linked up well with Alec Troup, and whilst not the fastest, his football was said to be of “the Scottish type, which is to say that the head is made to save the feet, that each pass there is a piece of strategy, and there is no useless running about”

Whilst playing football, he managed Thrum’s a local pub in Kirriemuir.

After a successful first season, Slade found it hard to maintain his form, so it was no surprise when he signed for Ayr United for what was reported to be a modest fee. It was rumoured that he would end his career at Dundee United in 1924, but the deal wasn’t finalised.

After retiring from football he continued working as a publican, at one point running a pub on King Street, Dundee. He also became a keen golfer.

Donald returned to his home town of Southampton after moving around England working as a publican.

He died in 1980 at the age of 91.