David Forde
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David Forde (born December 20, 1979 in Galway, Republic of Ireland) is an Irish football (soccer) player currently with League of Ireland club Derry City F.C.
At an early age, Forde showed huge promise as a goalkeeper and was rewarded, as a teenager, with a move to Welsh side Barry Town. Here, he continued to show his potential as an excellent shot stopper and in February 2002, he turned down an offer from Portsmouth F.C. to join West Ham United for a fee of £75,000. Forde, a Wales Under-21 international (qualifying through the parentage rule) initially had a trial at Upton Park before earning a professional contract. He was recommended to the 'Hammers' by Barry Town boss Kenny Brown, a former West Ham player.
Initially, Forde had ambitions of "looking to make the first team" at a time when David James was firmly established as England's World Cup number one, however, the signing of Raimond van der Gouw in the summer of 2002 pushed him further down the pecking order. At the start of the 2002/2003 season, manager Glenn Roeder made Forde available for loan and it was then when Forde first joined Derry City FC. After spending the season on loan at The Brandywell, Forde moved back to his hometown and signed for League of Ireland First Division side Galway United. It was here, that Forde built a fine reputation in Irish football circles and his form earned him a permanent move back to Derry City F.C. for the 2005/2006 season. During this season, he was ever present for 'City', consistently producing excellent performances and helping them to a second place finish in the League of Ireland Premier Division.
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| Derry City F.C. - Current Squad |
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1 Forde | 2 McCallion | 3 Hargan | 4 Hutton | 5 Delaney | 7 Higgins | 8 Martyn | 9 Beckett | 10 McHugh | 11 Brennan | 12 Oman | 14 McGlynn | 15 Deery | 16 Jennings | 17 Molloy | 18 Farren | 19 O'Flynn | 21 McChrystal | 22 Holmes | 23 McCourt | 24 Kelly | 31 McCafferty | Manager: Vacant |
