David Partridge was signed just months after the club went into administration. He was one of four new signings at the time joining Daniel Sengewald, Khaled Kemas and Darren Jack. There were lots of dispute over these signings as Motherwell had just released 19 players only a matter of months earlier.
His career started with West Ham United where he played alongside the likes of Rio Ferdinand, but he failed to break into the first team scene and he was eventually allowed to leave and join Dundee United. It was actually Motherwell manager Terry Butcher who spotted him playing for the Hammer’s reserve side when he was a coach in Tayside.
While at Tannadice Partridge played over seventy matches in all competitions, but he started to drop out the first team scene there and was allowed to join Leyton Orient on loan.
In the pre-season of 2002, it was Terry Butcher who now employed as Motherwell manager signed the left footed centre back. He made his ‘Well debut against Livingston in a 3-2 defeat at Almondvale on the opening day of the 2002/03 season.
His first season with the Steelmen was during a transitional period as the club fought tooth and nail to stay in existence. Despite the club finishing bottom in the SPL they managed to retain their place in the top flight as First Division Falkirk’s stadium didn’t meet the necessary requirements to gain promotion. The side did however go on a great Scottish Cup run which culminated in a 4-3 defeat to Rangers in the Semi Final’s. Partridge played in 38 games during the season as a youthful ‘Well side gained some vital experience which would serve them well going forward.
Partridge was a strong, uncompromising defender who would play over 80 competitive games in claret and amber. In his time in Lanarkshire he won two caps for Wales and scored his first goal for the club against Partick Thistle. He didn’t actually get on the scoresheet often but he does have the distinction of scoring a bullet header in the 2005 League Cup Final but sadly the side lost 5-1 to Rangers.
David was sold to Bristol City for £150,000 in July 2005 but he would fail to settle at the club and was loaned out to various English clubs. While employed with the Robins he got involved in a drink-fueled brawl in a nightclub which led to him and a number of teammates getting a short spell in prison.
| Name: | David Partridge |
| Height: | 6′ 1″ |
| Weight: | 12st |
| Date of Birth: | 26th November 1978 |
| Place of Birth: | Westminster |
| Position: | Defender |
| Nationality: | Welsh |
Football Career:
| West Ham United | 1996 | 1999 |
| Dundee United | 1999 | 2002 |
| Leyton Orient (Loan) | 2002 | |
| Motherwell | 2002 | 2005 |
| Bristol City | 2005 | 2007 |
| MK Dons (Loan) | 2006 | |
| Leyton Orient (Loan) | 2006 | |
| Brentford (Loan) | 2007 | |
| Swindon Town (Loan) | 2007 | |
| Brentford | 2007 | 2008 |
| St Patrick’s Athletic | 2008 | 2010 |
| Cambridge United | 2010 | 2011 |
| Thurrock | 2011 | |
Well Career:
| Apps | Goals | |
|
League:
|
76 | 2 |
|
Scottish Cup:
|
4 | 0 |
|
League Cup:
|
6 | 1 |
|
Other:
|
0 | 0 |
|
Total:
|
86 | 3 |