Progressing through the age-levels with Southampton Schools, Dave Puckett was not so much spotted as monitored by Southampton. Coming on as regular sub in the 1980-81 run-in, he had to wait until January 1982 for his full home debut, v Arsenal, in the First Division. After crossing for David Armstrong to equalise, he scored the two goals that ensured a return to second place in the table. He told the Echo that those goals “were certainly the best moments of my career.”

Blessed with pace and a good touch, Dave could play anywhere across the forward-line or in midfield. This versatility made him an ideal candidate for the substitute role, in the days when only one sub was permitted. He became the first Saint to notch up 50 sub appearances – good for the club but immensely frustrating for the player.

Never given an extended run, he was happy to move, along with Mark Whitlock, to Bournemouth, in the deal that brought Colin Clarke to The Dell. An instant hit with the Cherries, Dave topped the Division III scoring charts going into Christmas 1986. Career-threatening knee-ligament damage, sustained in a Boxing Day fixture, ended his season, but he collected a medal for his part in Bournemouth’s promotion. He recovered to top 100 League appearances for Aldershot, before they were cast into non-league oblivion for financial irregularities. His 50 League goals for the Shots included 19 consecutive penalties.

After playing regular non-league football into his 40s, Dave then coached with distinction. He assisted on several UEFA courses for the FA and was honoured, in 2005, to teach aspiring coaches in Malawi, as part of the FA’s International Development Programme. Having taken sessions at the Saints’ School of Excellence, he was invited to join the club’s Academy at its inception.

So, having played at all levels for Southampton Schools, he now coached across all the age-groups for the Academy – until he departed in the “regime change” of 2010. He has since resisted overtures from other League clubs, opting to coach, and occasionally play, at Lymington Town then Totton &Eling and incredibly the Icelandic 4^th Division. When he partnered his son Bill upfront for Lymington, he enthused to the Echo about “the best 30 minutes football I’ve ever had.” Then, in August/September 2013, with his 53rd birthday approaching, Dave was playing in the Sydenhams Premier Division for Totton & Eling, whose manager was predicting that he’d “feature on and off throughout the season.”

During his time playing with his son Bill at Lymington, he had set a record of being the oldest scorer (age 51) in the Wessex League. When they were playing together again at Totton & Eling, he increased the record, scoring again this time aged 53. Bill later moved for a playing experience in Iceland for a few seasons and when visiting, Dave signed forms and they played together in the Icelandic 4th Division on 21st May 2014 (age 53) for Hviti Riddarinn (White Knights). Even that was not enough for the keen-to-keep playing ex-Saint for in August 2011, he joined an  older brother, Julian, playing friendly veterans football every Sunday. Now nearly 65 and yet to hang up his boots, he has played over 360 games, scoring over 400 goals for Solent Vets, all since the age of 50 and told this website that he “fully intended carrying on playing every week and considers this the most satisfying and possibly greatest of my footballing achievements”.