Valentine's rugby league career was with the Huddersfield club where he played as a Loose forward. He played in all three Tests of the 1948–49 victorious Ashes series. He played for the British Empire XIII versus New Zealand on Wednesday 23 January 1952 at Stamford Bridge, and in the 2nd and 3rd Tests of the 1952 Ashes series. Dave Valentine played in Huddersfield's 15-10 victory over St. Helens in the 1952–53 Challenge Cup Final during the 1952-53 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 25 April 1953, in front of a crowd of 89,588. In 1954 Valentine was selected for Great Britain's tour of Australia playing in all three Tests. He was also the British squad captain for their successful 1954 Rugby League World Cup campaign, playing in all four matches and hoisting the Cup as the victorious captain following Great Britain's 16-12 victory at Parc des Princes in the Final over France, in front of a huge 31, 000 crowd. Dave Valentine also represented Great Britain while at Huddersfield between 1952 and 1956 against France. All told he earned eleven Test caps in addition to the four World Cup appearances. Valentine played, and was captain in Huddersfield's 4-11 defeat by Bradford Northern in the 1949–50Yorkshire County Cup Final during the 1949–50 season at Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds on Saturday 29 October 1949, played, played, scored a try, and was captain in the 18-8 victory over Batley in the 1952–53YorkshireCounty Cup Final during the 1952–53 season at HeadingleyRugby Stadium, Leeds on Saturday 15 November 1952, played, and was captain in the 15-8 victory over York in the 1957–58 Yorkshire County Cup Final during the 1957–58 season at Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds on Saturday 19 October 1957, and played, and was captain in the 10-16 defeat by Wakefield Trinity in the 1960–61 Yorkshire County Cup Final during the 1960–61 season at Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds on Saturday 29 October 1960. Valentine's Testimonial match at Huddersfield took place in 1956. He retired in 1957, having made 356 appearances for Huddersfield. His grandson, also called Dave Valentine, plays for amateur rugby league club Lindley Swifts.
Coaching career
Dave Valentine was the coach in Huddersfield's 6-12 defeat by Wakefield Trinity in the 1961–62Challenge Cup Final during the 1961–62 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 12 May 1962, in front of a crowd of 81,263, and was the coach in the 14-5 victory over Wakefield Trinity in the Championship Final during the 1961–62 season at Odsal Stadium, Bradford on Saturday 19 May 1962.
Club career
Dave Valentine was the coach of Batley from June 1966 to December 1967.