Player Articles

David Munks

David Munks

David Munks was born on the 29th of April, 1947, in Sheffield. A solid defender, he played for Football League clubs Sheffield United, Portsmouth, Swindon Town and Exeter City between 1965 and 1975.

 

PART ONE

David Munks’ football odyssey started in Sheffield, a city renowned for its football heritage. As a product of the Sheffield United youth system, Munks quickly demonstrated his potential and his talent earned him two caps for the England Youth team in 1965. These caps undoubtedly boosted his reputation and he broke into Sheffield United’s senior side during a tour of New Zealand in 1967. Over the course of the next few years, Munks would make 112 League appearances for the club, becoming an important member of the team. His time at Sheffield United was marked by consistency and it was clear that Munks had the potential to take his career to new heights. Consequently, a transfer move was on the cards and, in the 1969 close season, the centre-back made his way to the south coast to join Portsmouth where the Fratton Park fans quickly took to him.

Munks’ defensive abilities flourished, and his performances earned him the accolade of Portsmouth’s Player of the Year in the 1970-71 season, a recognition which solidified his status as a key player on the south coast. However, in 1973, new chairman John Decon sought to strengthen the squad, bringing in players such as Ron Davies, Malcolm Manley, Peter Marinello and Paul Went, and while these signings promised to elevate the competitiveness of the team, they also meant rising wage bills, which strained the club financially. As a result, Munks became one of the unfortunate casualties of these financial pressures, and despite being a popular figure at Fratton Park, he was sold to offset the growing costs. His time at Portsmouth ended after 137 Division Two appearances, but Munks’ name nonetheless remained etched in the hearts of the supporters.

 

PART TWO

As things turned out, Munks signed with a struggling Swindon Town side, a club battling against relegation to the Third Division midway through the 1973-74 campaign. His arrival was seen as an attempt to inject defensive stability into the team, but in a tactical experiment that defied logic, he was deployed as a midfielder. This decision proved costly, as Munks was not suited to the role, and the team’s performances faltered. Predictably, the season ended in relegation, and he was released in the summer. His stint at County Ground saw him make only 21 appearances as the tactical gamble of using him in midfield ultimately backfired.

Following his release from Swindon, David Munks was shipped out on loan to Exeter City and was handed his debut for The Grecians in a 1-0 Fourth Division victory over Hartlepool at St James Park on the 4th of January 1975. Initially viewed as a temporary move, his stellar performances earned him a permanent transfer at the beginning of the 1975-76 campaign, but his stay at the club was cut short by a serious knee injury. The injury eventually forced him to retire from professional football the following year, bringing his footballing days to an abrupt end after 20 appearances for Exeter City. Munks’ career may not have been filled with trophies or international accolades, but it was undoubtedly a tale of determination and perseverance.