Halliday Dave

Dave Halliday 05/07/1935 - 08/01/1938

Played 123, Won 46, Drew 26, Lost 51, Win Rate 37.40%

As a player Dave Halliday was one of the most prolific goal scorers of all time. One of only 2 players to win the Golden Boot award in both the Scottish and English top flight, he set records that today’s transfer market would pay huge sums for. 156 goals for Sunderland in 166 matches makes him their 3^rd highest all-time scorer. Only the great Dixie Dean scored at a higher rate in the English top flight than Halliday. How he never played for Scotland is a mystery.

Born in Dumfries in 1901, he joined Dundee, before spells with Sunderland, Arsenal and Manchester City amongst others. His first managerial role was in Somerset where he was also a player. He didn’t win any trophies at Yeovil, but returned to Scotland to manage Aberdeen for 18 years either side World War 2, before 3 years in charge at Leicester City. He died in 1970 aged 68.

Yeovil had obviously found a winning formula in appointing successful players coming to the end of their careers and wishing to go into management, a policy that would serve them well.