Biography

David was born on April 2nd 1979 in Brazil. From the glamorous surroundings of South America, the Sale family moved back to the UK, where David attended Red House School, Norton until the age of 9. It was here that his keen academic potential was recognised, and he sat the entrance exam for Yarm Grammar School as an experiment to see if younger children could cope with the exam. He passed the exams with flying colours and was admitted a year ahead of his year group.

David took up hockey under the guidance of his geography teacher, Richard Webb. He volunteered to play in goal in an Under 11 tournament when the regular goalkeeper suffered a last minute injury. Complete with cricket pads, thin material kickers, a slip of a chest guard and a face mask, he kept the first of many clean sheets. David, his brother Tom, Richard and Xav went on to form the core of Yarm’s team for years to come.

David progressed to The University of Durham in 1997 and it was here that he started to live life to the full. In his first year at Durham, he was known as ‘Rave’ (the fresher lifestyle suiting his approach to study), and then more latterly he became known as ‘Jacko’. Jacko was short for Jackanory and he was recognised, and loved, for his incredible ability to tell a story with a degree of artistic licence. He was a man who only ever putted 30 ft monsters, who only ever scored goals in the roof of the net and who only ever made saves that were unsighted. His place, however, at the heart and soul of Durham hockey could never be exaggerated.

David shared many of the first team duties in his time at Durham, whilst also regularly representing Durham County. During the years that the Men’s 2nd XI struggled to establish itself in the top Northern leagues, David was a rock of stability and a class above the rest of the team (which included, at various times, Adam, Mark, Tom, Paul, Pete & Phil). He also had the knack of riling opposition, which was frequently less than helpful and used to do its bit for the reputation of the students.

David was the first Treasurer of the combined men’s and women’s hockey club in Durham and presided over a year that saw the hockey club establish itself as financially viable and the blueprint for other clubs in Durham.

After it was recommended that David passed out of Durham’s engineering department, he headed for the glamour of the RAF, to join Guy, Jonnie and Etienne.

The lifestyle suited him: sponsored to play sport and freed up to travel the world, David excelled in the RAF. In 2007, he achieved ‘Day and Night Combat Ready Status’ on the Puma frontline, an award not given lightly. His vast potential as a military aviator will not be realised but David had found his niche in life, and he was never happier than when he was sitting in his helicopter.

More recently, David played more and more outfield hockey. To watch the ‘raging bull’ career around the pitch was a frightening sight for teammates, opposition and spectators alike. He did, however, manage to tidy up his outfield game to the extent that he ‘reported’ (where’s that pinch of salt?) that he was voted Most Valuable Player for High Wycombe’s 4th XI in the 2006/7 season. Not bad for a goalkeeper of his class.

David was one of the few people in life who was totally and utterly unique. Widely known and liked, he was a star on the hockey pitch and a social enigma off it. It is difficult for us all to accept that in the prime of his life, a man of such talent, such capability for kindness, friendship and loyalty should be so suddenly spirited away at the age of only twenty-eight and before he had achieved many of the things in life of which he was capable.

On August 8th 2007, Durham University and the Royal Air Force lost one of the greatest characters ever to have graced either establishment. David was one of the finest – a graduate, pilot, friend, son and brother to be very proud of. We miss him greatly. The profound effect he had on all he met throughout his life is the driving force behind this challenge.