David Burrows in the Sky Blue
Today’s Birthday Boy is a Sky Blue centurion with an illustrious top level career including his time with Sky Blues, David Burrows. Born in Dudley on 25th October 1968) David is celebrating his 57th birthday today – Congratulations! Though a West Midlander the left sided defender is particularly associated with Merseyside clubs. David was one of (now fellow CCFPA member) Ron Atkinson‘s first signings for City in 1995 joining from Everton for £1.1m. The tough tackling full-back had previously played for West Bromwich Albion, Liverpool and West Ham United and won seven England U21 caps and three England B appearances between 1989-91.
Signing for £1.1m David made his Sky Blue debut at Southampton on 4th March 1995, a goalless draw, when near namesake (also a CCFPA member) Brian Borrows was also in the City side! By the time he left Highfield Road for Birmingham City at the turn of the millennium David had played 129 Sky Blue games (111 in the league) without, sadly. ever finding the net for CCFC!
David Burrow thwarts Cardiff’s Robbie Earnshaw in season 1998-99
David began his career as a West Bromwich Albion apprentice moving on to the first team in 1986 and by the time he moved to Anfield two years later had scored a single goal in his 52 games for the Baggies. At Liverpool (signed for £550k) he played 193 games (scoring three times) and won a League Championship medal in 1990 and an FA Cup winners medal two years later. He moved to West Ham United in September 1993 (for 35 games and two goals) and then Everton in September 1994 where he contributed 23 appearances without netting.
David Burrows in Sky Blue action
His spells with the Hammers and the Toffees were brief but he rejuvenated his career at Coventry with the Sky Blues. Numerous niggly injuries restricted his appearances at Highfield Road and in his last season he was red carded twice (both at Leicester City and Tranmere Rovers) resulting in him being suspended for seven games. He rejected a new Sky Blue contract in 2000 and moved on a free in August 2000 to Birmingham City (30 appearances) and later (March 2002) played another 23 times for Sheffield Wednesday but continued to be jinxed by injury. He retired in 2003 with a career total of 487 games ( and 38 goals).
Sky Blue David Burrows
After retirement David then moved his family to the Dordogne region of France where he became involved with the local football community, playing and coaching several local football teams notably FC Sarlat Marcillac. He is now reported as managing and maintaining his holiday rental properties in the area.
David joined the Association in December 2021 so, as yet, has had little chance to come back to Coventry to see us. However, we hope you have a great day today and look forward to seeing you back in Coventry for a CCFPA event and/or a Sky Blue game hopefully before the end of the current season!
Thanks to CCFPA’s Mike Young for sourcing the images.
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