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Friday 24 January 2025 21:50
Manchester United is saddened to learn of the passing of our former goalkeeper David Gaskell, a figure with a special place in club history.
It was confirmed by the Gaskell family on Friday night that David had passed away at the age of 84.
In tribute, they said: “Dave was devoted to his beloved wife, Barbara, with whom he shared 68 wonderful years of marriage. He was a proud father to his three daughters, Michelle, Lesley, and Nicola, and a loving grandfather to Joel, Emily, Eleanor, Ted, and Edith. His family was his greatest joy, and his legacy will live on through them.
“In these past few weeks of illness, Dave was surrounded by the love and support of the many friends he made throughout his life—friends who, like so many in Wrexham and beyond, will miss him dearly.
“Dave Gaskell leaves behind not just a remarkable sporting legacy, but an enduring example of kindness, dedication, and humility. He will be deeply missed but fondly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him.”
On 24 October 1956, at Maine Road, David became the club’s youngest-ever debutant. His background story could have been written for Roy of the Rovers.
Having finished his daytime duties as a part of United’s groundstaff, Gaskell – who was the club’s fifth choice goalkeeper, aged just 16 years and 19 days, and less than four months into his Reds career – went along to watch the Reds in action against Manchester City in the Charity Shield that evening.
An early injury to starting stopper Ray Wood left United down to 10 men, until coach Bert Whalley grabbed Gaskell from the crowd, pulled together some kit, picked up a spare pair of team-mate Colin Webster’s boots and threw the teenager back onto the field in Wood’s stead.
Gaskell went on to turn in a man-of-the-match performance, keeping a clean sheet as the Reds won 1-0 – although his appearance had been so unorthodox that most onlookers didn’t realise Wood had been substituted!
The following morning, David found himself in Matt Busby’s office discussing his promotion to the senior squad, where he would spend the next 11 seasons of his career. Competition between the sticks was fierce, particularly after the world record capture of Harry Gregg in 1957, but Gaskell, a keen boxer and rugby player at school, was never one to shirk a battle.
Over the seasons, David stepped in more than capably whenever Busby required, the highlight coming during the 1962/63 run-in, when he kept goal in the Reds’ successful twin battle to avoid relegation and win the FA Cup. His near-flawless display in the final against Leicester at Wembley was his career zenith, and the following term he went on to make a career-best 29 appearances during the course of the campaign.
David Gaskell pictured in his playing career for United.
David continued to compete with various new goalkeeping recruits before departing the Reds for Wrexham in 1969. Four years with the Welsh club preceded jaunts further afield, with playing stints in South Africa and Kuwait rounding off a career which began in eventful circumstances and rarely strayed from entertaining.
In 2011, David was the Football Association’s Guest of Honour at the Community Shield between United and City, in recognition of the fixture’s parallels with his dramatic introduction to senior football over 55 years earlier. His was truly a tale for the ages and a life lived to its fullest.
David spent his later years with his family in the outskirts of Wrexham, his place in Manchester United folklore long since assured.
May he rest in peace.
Remembering Denis Law:
Friday 24 January 2025 21:50
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