Full name Dennis John Heath Name Dennis Heath Playing position | Place of death Hounslow, England Place of birth Chiswick, England | |
Date of birth (1934-09-28)28 September 1934 Date of death 28 September 2006(2006-09-28) (aged 72) | ||
Dennis Heath - Showreel
Dennis John Heath (28 September 1934 — 28 September 2006) was an English professional footballer and manager who played in The Football League for Brentford, making over 120 appearances for the club.
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Brentford
A right winger, Heath began his career at Acton, Brentford & Chiswick Schools' League side Alexandra Villa. He was spotted by Brentford youth team manager Alf Bew at age 15. Heath came through the youth ranks at the club, appearing for the Brentford youth team which reached the semi-finals of the FA Youth Cup in 1953. After completing his National Service, Heath made his debut at the age of 19 in a 6–4 Division Three South defeat to Southampton at The Dell on 21 August 1954. Heath quickly established himself in the first team, making 39 appearances during the 1954–55 season. Heath's appearance-rate fell away over the course of his career with the Bees (mainly due to a pierced lung suffered in a reserve match against Charlton Athletic during the 1956–57 season), though he made 29 appearances during 1958–59. Heath's final appearance for the club came in a 4–2 defeat to Newport County at Griffin Park on 29 October 1960 and he was released at the end of the 1960–61 season. Heath made 133 appearances and scored 20 goals during his seven-year spell with the Bees.
Non-league football
After his release from Brentford, Heath dropped into non-league football and played for Bedford Town, Trowbridge Town, Dover, Chertsey Town and veterans' team Eversheds. He played for Eversheds until the age of 60.
Management career
While with Chertsey Town, Heath acted as the club's player-manager.
Personal life
Heath undertook his National Service at Catterick Garrison, serving as a PT instructor. Along with a number of other Brentford players, Heath appeared briefly in the 1953 film The Great Game. Heath later entered the building trade, working with his sons. He died in 2006, on his 72nd birthday.