David Pratt (footballer)

Pratt began his playing career during the last years of World War I with a series of local Fife sides, namely Lochore Welfare, Lochgelly United and Hearts of Beath. He joined Celtic from the latter in June 1919[2] and made his debut several months later, in a home game with Falkirk. His versatility counted against him though and he never developed into a first team regular at Celtic Park. Indeed, although later primarily considered a defender, the position he appeared in most frequently for Celtic was outside left.

In 1921 Pratt moved south, joining Bradford City, where his consistent performances earned him a move to Liverpool two years later. He spent four seasons on Merseyside but as with his time at Celtic, he was unable to attain a regular first team berth. His most consistent run in the first team occurred in 1924–25, while his only goal for the club was recorded during a 6–3 defeat of Newcastle United the following season.[3] He joined Bury in 1927 before moving further south to Yeovil Town.

Pratt eventually became manager of Yeovil, before assuming control of Yeovil & Petters United in 1929. This was to be his longest period in charge of one club, the rest of his coaching career characterised by short tenures in managerial positions. Between May and December 1933 he managed Clapton Orient, then he had two months in charge of Notts County in spring 1935. He then returned to Scotland where he replaced Willie McCartney as Heart of Midlothian manager. He lasted two seasons in Edinburgh before moving to Wales with Bangor City, where he stayed until the outbreak of World War II. He served in the RAF during the conflict before taking his final managerial role, with Port Vale, in December 1944, a position he vacated six months later. He failed to gain a release from the Air Force and so never managed to be a manager to the Vale other than in name only.[4]