David Picken was born in England and is a lifelong supporter of Port Vale now in the English Football League One (third tier) after a stunning play-off victory at Wembley in 2022.- He played competitively from age 11 to 45 in England, Papua New Guinea, Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong. He has been a volunteer women's and junior football coach and an administrator with Surf Coast FC in Victoria, Australia. In his other life as a construction professional and academic (formerly in Hong Kong and then in Australia at Deakin University) he has published textbooks and scientific papers and won awards for excellence in teaching.