We were delighted to see that one of our members was the half-time special guest at Bloomfield Road on Saturday February 5th 2006 when Nottingham Forest were the visitors. Dave Serella drew the winning numbers for the Golden Gamble and watched an absorbing game that ended in a 2-2 draw, with Forest scoring their goals 20 seconds before half-time and 48 seconds before the end of the game. Dave was satisfied as both Blackpool and Forest are his former clubs.

Dave was born in Kings Lynn on 24 September 1952. He was a strong tackling centre half who had begun his football career as an apprentice with Nottingham Forest in July 1968 before signing for the club as a professional in August 1970. He played 73 games and made three substitute appearances for Forest before going on loan to Walsall in November 1974. Walsall eventually signed him in December 1974 and he became one of their stalwarts, playing 265 League games, making two substitute appearances and scoring 12 goals for the club and also helping them gain promotion in 1980.

Blackpool signed him from Walsall in August 1982 when the Seasiders were looking for some experience when attempting to get out of football's basement. He first appeared for Blackpool in three pre-season Lancashire Cup ties then missed the opening game of the season before making his League debut against Swindon Town on 4 September 1982 when Blackpool won 2-1. He became a regular in the side until injury in a 1-1 draw with Chester City on 29 January 1983 curtailed his season and thereafter he made only one substitute appearance before returning for the final two games of a disappointing season that saw Blackpool finish in 21st spot in the table. He played 26 League games, made one substitute appearance and scored one goal in the final game of the season, a 2-1 defeat by Hartlepool United on 14 May 1983, in his first season at Bloomfield Road. He also played four League Cup ties, scoring two goals, one each in the two-leg first round games against Chester City, two FA Cup ties and three Lancashire Cup ties.

He played in one pre-season Lancashire Cup tie in the 1983/84 season, once again missed the opening League game of the season before appearing against Colchester United on 3 September 1983 when he scored Blackpool's goal in a 2-1 defeat. After a run of three League games he was out of the side and thereafter became an infrequent member of the team. What turned out to be his final League game came against Aldershot on 5 May 1984 when he was substituted before the end as Blackpool lost 3-2. His Blackpool career ended at the close of the 1983/84 season after he had played 44 League and Cup games and scored five goals.

He joined Altrincham in July 1984, and later Chorley for whom he never actually played before he then settled into business on the Fylde Coast where he still resides.

Gerry Wolstenholme