On 13 December 2023, peacefully at Wellington Hospital, aged 83. Absolutely adored husband of Pauline for 61 wonderful years. Beloved father and father-in-law of Karen & Scott, Stephen, and Philip & Sue. Cherished grandad of Amanda, Jodie, Andrew, Nicole, Kellsey, Regan and their partners. Loved great-grandad of Ryah, Oliver and one to come. The family wish to thank the HDU unit at Wellington Hospital for their dedicated care of David. "Catch you later Cobber”

The greater Wellington area pay tribute to the life of Dave Wallace. Dave was a hugely skilful and successful soccer player for Western Suburbs. Included in Dave’s representative honours was captaincy of the New Zealand team. Also Dave led Western Suburbs to Chatham Cup victory in 1971 and also finalists in 1970. Dave captained Western Suburbs to the Central League Division 1 Championship in consecutive years 1968 and 1969.

Snapshots of Dave’s contributions to Western Suburbs, Wellington and New Zealand soccer have been gathered to celebrate this wonderful man. References include “Western Suburbs- The Blue and Gold by PHC Lucas” “ The Blue and Red-Porirua Viard United br PHC Lucas and WH Moran.” and “Mental about Wests - by PHC Lucas and WH Moran.”

“The club’s first New Zealand born test player and the first to play for his country as a Western Suburbs footballer was David Wallace. Captain of the North Island under 16 side, Dave Wallace entered the club’s senior team as a 16 year old forward in 1957. At right half the following season, Wallace amazed spectators with the power of his throw and in succeeding years was described as ‘ the backbone of the side” and as “ a footballer of great potential “. Chosen for Wellington, he was a reserve for the New Zealand “shadow” test team which defeated Auckland in preparation for the match with Tom Finney’s English team.”

1957 Western Suburbs “ the side’s greatest asset was its talented young forward line, which shared a firmness of purpose and a certainty of touch that gave promise for the future. The forwards were R. Larsen (17 years), D Wallace (16), J Greening (17), A Jeffrey (19) and H Mc Donald 20. Wallace switching later in the season to wing half. ““ Still under 20 and fit, fast and fine ball control, Wallace was a logical selection for New Zealand in 1962 in the two tests when Caledonia were beaten 4-1 in Christchurch and 4-2 at Wellington. In both matches, he did much to hold the home defence together and demonstrated his determined tackling and his undoubted ability as a natural wing half. The drama of Wallace’s subsequent knee injury and fight back to fitness pay tribute to this fine players dogged determination and character.”

“Wallace represented New Zealand on five other occasions- against New Caledonia, twice in 1967 and against Cardiff City, Fiji and New Caledonia in 1968. In the latter two matches Wallace earned the highest honour any player can achieve, when he was appointed captain in those games. Due to business commitments, Wallace was unavailable for selection in 1969 for New Zealand’s World Cup matches in Israel. Many soccer writers thought Wallace a certainty if he had been available.”

“1968 there were a number of stars for Western Suburbs during the season, but one stood above all others. The player was Dave Wallace, who was named player of the year by the New Zealand Soccer Annual, which wrote ‘This year for  the first time the Player of the Year went to a New Zealand born player…” 1968 was undoubtedly Dave Wallace’s season. He led his club Western Suburbs to victory in the Central League, he played for New Zealand against Cardiff City, Fiji and New Caledonia, captaining the team in the last two matches. Dave earned the Argus Trophy for the second successive season as the Best and Fairest in the Central League”

Tommy Heptinstall a fellow team mate of Dave during the golden years of Western Suburbs in the late 1960s to 1970s fondly recalls Dave. “That’s very sad news, one of the last good guys, just a fantastic man from a generation of a different era. What’s the saying? They don’t make them like that anymore,  him and Alan Jeffery had a big impact on me growing up on so many levels. But mostly just for being honest, hardworking and decent human beings.” 

Tommy played alongside Dave in the National Soccer league in the ‘70s and recalls Dave as a true Rolls Royce footballer with easy skills and a determined approach.

Dave was a long term Titahi Bay resident and involved with the local print business and sporting clubs.

Thank you Dave Wallace.

Article added: Tuesday 16 January 2024