Biography
Striker Dave Sunley joined the Tigers in January 1976, bringing a reputation for skillful forward play earned over several seasons at Sheffield Wednesday. He slotted straight into the first team and scored his debut goal in late February in a 2-1 away win at Notts County. In 1976/77 Sunley was a first team regular throughout as John Kaye’s mid-table side sported a sound defence but at times struggled to score goals. Dave started 1977/78 in the first team but results were not good – when Kaye was dismissed in early October Sunley’s appearances became more sporadic and he left the club in the 1978 close season.
Born and raised in Skelton, an ironstone mining town in East Cleveland to the east of Middlesbrough, Sunley attracted the attention of several clubs in the schoolboy playing days. He signed apprentice terms at Sheffield Wednesday in July 1968 and joined the Owls’ professional ranks two years later. His second appearance for Wednesday came on Boxing Day 1970 against Hull City when the Tigers made a thrilling comeback from 4-1 down, scoring three goals in the last seven minutes to secure a point. He made nearly 150 appearances for the Hillsborough side over six years prior to his move to Hull. In 1972/73 Sunley was a first team regular and secured his only double figures goal haul. This form was rewarded by Sir Alf Ramsey in April 1973, who selected Sunley for an FA XI tour of Gibraltar where he featured in a 9-0 thumping alongside Gordon Banks, Trevor Francis, Nobby Stiles and Frank Worthington.
Sunley joined Lincoln City in June 1978 and in 21 months at Sincil Bank he made over 40 appearances. Sunley joined Stockport County in March 1980 and was a first team regular for two seasons. In May 1982 he tried his hand at overseas football, signing for Hong Kong side Tsun Wan. This move was short-lived and he returned to England to play for Stafford Rangers and Burton Albion.
Details
Nationality: England
Date/Place of Birth: 6 February 1952, Skelton-in-Cleveland
Hull City First Game: 31 January 1976, Blackpool A (Division Two), 23 years, 359 days old
Hull City Final Game: 15 April 1978, Fulham H (Division Two), 26 years, 68 days old
Clubs
Sheffield Wednesday (1970-1976), Nottingham Forest (1975, loan), Hull City (1976-1978), Lincoln City (1978-1980), Stockport County (1980-1982), Tsun Wan (1982), Stafford Rangers, Burton Albion
Hull City Record
Career: 83 apps, 11 goals
Dave Sunley| Season | LGE App | LGE Gls | FAC App | FAC Gls | FLC App | FLC Gls | EUR App | EUR Gls | OTH App | OTH Gls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1975/76 | 15 (0) | 4 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1976/77 | 36 (3) | 6 | 2 (0) | 0 | 1 (0) | 0 | - | - | 3 (0) | 0 |
| 1977/78 | 7 (8) | 1 | 1 (0) | 0 | 3 (1) | 0 | - | - | 2 (1) | 0 |