Farewell to a former-Blue
Joe Davis, who died on 5 August at the age of 75, was an experienced and classy full back who arrived at Brunton Park in December 1969 on a free transfer from Hibernian.
Chairman Andrew Jenkins said: "Joe came from a crop of players from Scotland who were really good footballers.
"He was a fantastic full back who knew the game inside out. He came back to the club a number of times over the years, once he'd retired, and he was always pleased to meet up with team mates and club staff to talk about his time with us.
"It's more sad news for the club and our thoughts are with his family and friends."
Club President David Dent said: "Joe was a stylish full back who could really use a football. He wasn't the type to ruffle feathers or smash into people, or anything like that, because he had a bit more class about him.
"He was popular with the fans because he didn't look to take the limelight. He got on with his job and he did it exceptionally well. You have to remember we were playing in Division Two, which is the Championship now, and he more than held his own. A lot of people will have very fond memories of his time with this football club."
Club President David Dent said: "Joe was a stylish full back who could really use a football. He wasn't the type to ruffle feathers or smash into people, or anything like that, because he had a bit more class about him.
"He was popular with the fans because he didn't look to take the limelight. He got on with his job and he did it exceptionally well. You have to remember we were playing in Division Two, which is the Championship now, and he more than held his own. A lot of people will have very fond memories of his time with this football club."
Signed by Bob Stokoe, Joe made his debut at Blackpool on 6 December 1969 and for the next year and a half was an ever present in the United line up.
The Blues were in Division Two and the 1970/71 campaign saw the Blues finish fourth in the table.
The following term, by which time Ian McFarlane was the manager, saw Joe make only occasional appearances in the side and at the end of the season he was released from his contract and returned to Scotland.
Born and bred in Glasgow, Joe’s career began with Shettleston Juniors before he signed for Third Lanark where he played part time while serving his time as a marine engineer.
He made over 50 league appearances for the Hi Hi before Jock Stein signed him for First Division Hibernian in November 1964.
He spent five years at Easter Road, setting a club record which remains to this day with a total of 273 consecutive first team appearances.
He also scored over 50 goals, most of them from the penalty spot from where he very rarely missed.
A fine footballer who kept his cool under pressure, he became club captain at Easter Road while for three years Hibernian played in the Inter City Fairs Cup, the competition that now broadly equates to the Europa League.
A change of management led to his being given a free transfer by Hibernian in the autumn of 1969 and his subsequent move to Carlisle.
On his return to Scotland, he became the manager of a hotel in Ayrshire that was part owned by former Celtic captain Billy McNeil.
He later became a rep for Allied Components, covering the Glasgow and Ayrshire area.
Married to Rose, he had two daughters, one of whom predeceased him, and a son.
His son-in-law is Ian Bryson, who later played for Kilmarnock, Sheffield United and Preston.
The club sends its condolences on his passing to Joe’s family.
