Born in Leeds, plays for Brighton. David Stockdale was one of the chief reasons behind Brighton’s eventual promotion to the Premier League after a stellar season.
Last season the 31-year-old stopper played in 45 games for the Seagulls across their promotion campaign, conceded just 40 times in a season where he also kept 20 clean sheets.
Such was the level of his performances that he earned a place in both the PFA and EFL Championship teams of the year. It also earned the talented stopper a whole host of teams interested in tying down his signature to their club.
Of course, as with any player showing his talents to such a degree as Stockdale did, there’s bound to be interest in his services, it is par for the course. It is interest made even more firm when the said player is coming towards the end of his current deal.
Amongst these teams are Premier League champions Chelsea, fellow top-tier side Crystal Palace and his hometown club Leeds United. Free agency will bring more sides to the negotiating table, with Stockdale having a range of sides from which to choose his next destination.
Add in the fact that Stockdale is said by Sky Sports to have rejected the offer of a new deal at the AMEX and it is a definite case of more than a spark in the tinder box. A further ‘spark’ it seems is this tweet from Stockdale around the time that the ‘rejected contract’ stories were starting to surface.
Family first😎 🤐
— David Stockdale (@stockogk1313) May 19, 2017
In fairness to Stockdale, not one person other than he knows the true meaning behind what he posted to his Twitter feed, that hasn’t stopped certain Brighton fans commenting in a quite nasty manner.
Translation = 💰💰💰 https://t.co/07UgkzhP7E
— We Are Brighton (@wearebrighton) May 19, 2017
David Stockdale = the most overrated player we've got.He had a decent season but still makes to many mistakes for me
— Terry Hilder (@SaltashSeagull) May 19, 2017
https://twitter.com/Brightonfclad/status/865693004987871232
Some of the tweets and replies heading David Stockdale’s way aren’t as innocuous as these, there’s some proper poison being spouted over on Twitter. What these ‘fans’, and I’m making no apologies for the use of the intentional emphasis on ‘fans’, fail to realise is that there’s a reading public out there seeing their hateful missives. That proved to be the case when David Stockdale’s wife Katie tweeted earlier this morning.
It's heartbreaking to read nasty things written about someone you love, when people know nothing about the situation #dontjumptoconclusions
— Katie Stockdale (@Katie_Stockdale) May 20, 2017
What is heartwarming, and restores some humanity to the initial reaction from some, is the manner of responses received to the above tweet from David Stockdale’s wife.
Football fans respond to Katie Stockdale’s tweet – humanity restored
https://twitter.com/RMcgoran/status/865836627867971584
This Leeds fan is right. Twitter seems to be a breeding ground at times for the nastiness that some consider is right to dish out. Views much worse than those above are ‘trolled’ out, Twitter becoming something of a natural conduit for the vile.
and if he signs a new contract, I wonder how many of the abusers will apologise. #LuckyToHaveHim
— John (@SeagullJK) May 20, 2017
Whilst Graham reassures Katie Stockdale that members of his ‘group’ feel nothing but love for her husband, Seagull John says that he feels that it would be a case of ‘ahem’ and apologise for the Brighton keeper’s detractors.
Sadly, bha attracts more than its fair share of idiots who are frankly an embarrassment. Please don't listen to this tiny minority.
— Richard F (@RichardGField) May 20, 2017
It is messages of support like the above that ring true, messages from fans who see and appreciate the real value that Stockdale has brought to the club and the role that he has played in their promotion to the Premier League.
Sadly Twitter gives voice to spiteful people. The majority of us wish Stocko all the best with his decision. He's been a great player 4 us.
— M Jackson 💙 🌻🇺🇦Article 49 #SupportPR (@MJJSeagull) May 20, 2017
Following on from an earlier sentiment, Moya is right – Twitter is often the sound of discord and spite for certain people who feel inclined to act that way.
Spot on, it seems to be just kids who have no understanding. The vast majority of us love Dave
— Mark Higgs (@markhiggs71) May 20, 2017
Mark is one who captures the essence of those complaining or abusing the Brighton keeper for the choice that he made and the tweet that he posted. The childish minority take to Twitter with vitriol whilst the majority remain calm and sensible, appreciative even.
So sorry about some of our "fans" Katie, you, David and your family don't need this shit, some need to grow the hell up. #bhafc
— Simon Sheppard🏴 🇺🇦 (@SeagullSimon) May 20, 2017
The final word on this, and support for what Katie Stockdale was tweeting about, is the above. The family doesn’t need the bitterness and backlash – David Stockdale was a great servant to the club last season, vital in their promotion to the top-tier of English football. The massive bulk of the fans are more than appreciative of that, shame that the mouthy minority seem to feel the need to express their rather faecal views.