Ian Dickson (footballer)

Ian William Dickson (born Maxwelltown (now part of Dumfries), South-West Scotland, September 1902, died 1976) was a Scottish professional footballer who's playing position was as a forward. He played for Queen of the South, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough.

Queen of the South

Ian Dickson also had spells at Maxwelltown United and Cheshaw Juniors. Dickson and Dave Halliday both played in the trial games that were arranged when the newly formed Queen of the South were looking for players in the Summer of 1919."The Queens" by Iain McCartney on Creedon Publications, 2004]

After the four trial matches Queen of the South's first ever game took place on August 16 1919. Invites were sent to local councillors and magistrates and the presence of Dumfries Town Band added to the sense of occasion. The opposition was Sanquhar side Nithsdale Wanderers and the challenge game ended 2 - 2. Among those who played in this first game was Ian Dickson.

Halliday would join Queens in January 1920.

With this being Queens first season after formation their fixtures comprised of challenge games and local cup competitions. This included the Dumfries Charity Cup played over three weekends in May. On May 8 Queens thrashed Dumfries F.C. 7-1. A week later Queens seen off Solway Star 4-0 in the semi final before facing Dalbeattie Star in the final.

A then record crowd of 4500 (many watching from the grandstand roof and other such points of elevation) watched the game. An early Halliday shot went wide following good lead up work involving Dickson. However it was Dalbeattie and their physical style of play who took the lead. Queens equalised through McCall (later of Blackburn Rovers) before Halliday's efforts bore fruit. One Halliday shot hit the post, another went inches wide before he put Queens ahead five minutes before half time. Connell hit Queens' third a minute into the second half before Halliday beat Borthwick to cross for McCall to bring up a 4-1 final score.

Season 1920-21 proceeded in a similar vein to the first season with a combination of challenge games and minor cup ties. The Potts Cup, the Southern Counties Challenge Cup and the Charity all ended up at Palmerston Park. The Scottish Qualifying Cup seen Queens make the semis.

*In the Qualifying Cup first round Creetown Volunteers were thumped 9-0. Whithorn were them similarly swatted away on the end of a 12-1 defeat (Dickson hit four). Six were then put past Mid-Annandale by Queens and then five against Solway Star. A 0-0 draw against Johnstone came before a 1-0 Queens replay victory . Queens cup run then ended with the defeat to East Fife.

* In the Challenge Cup Dickson's 23rd minute strike opened the scoring in the final in Wintry conditions played at Thornhill. After Gray of Queens knocking the Nithsdale Wanderers goallie off his feet in the second half around half a dozen unruly Wanderers fans invaded the pitch brandishing flags and sticks. A shout of 'come on' to other fans was thankfully disregarded. Police intervened to remove the fans from the pitch. Unsporting tactics from Wanderers and a disputed penalty followed before Gray again knocked the goalkeeper over again sparking a similar crowd disruption as before. Dickson's goal proved to be the winner.

* In the Potts Cup Queens seen off Stranraer 3-0 before a 2-1 replay victory in the final against Nithsdale Wanderers (the initial game was 2-2)

* In the Charity Cup final again Queens were the nemesis of Nithsdale Wanderers with a 3-1 victory to bring the season to an end

Ian Dickson was transferred from Queens in January 1921 to Aston Villa. Jimmy McKinnell from Dalbeattie, Willie McCall and Tom Wylie were all sold to Blackburn Rovers at the same time and this combined with the sale of Ian Dickson to Aston Villa helped to fund Queens' purchase of Palmerston Park in 1921 for £1,500. [http://www.qosfc.com/qanda.htm]

Ian Dickson's name on the Queens team sheet was replaced by that of Hughie Gallacher. They and Halliday were three of the four players to play in fledgling Queens first three seasons before moving on to successful careers in England's top division. The other was Willie Ferguson.

Aston Villa

In that first season at Aston Villa, Dickson scored 2 goals from his 8 appearances. It was however the 1921/22 season when Villa Park would see the best of him when he hit 28 goals from his 42 appearances. This made Dickson Villa's top scorer that season, helping the team finish 5th in England's top division. [http://web.telia.com/~u27301997/374.html Dickson's AVFC Bio]

Ian Dickson's 31 goals from 76 league games and 8 goals from 7 cup matches give him a total return of 83 games scoring 39 goals.

:"Ian Dickson Aston Villa appearances and goals by season."

Middlesbrough

Ian Dickson left Aston Villa for Middlesbrough in December 1923 for a fee of £3000. Before the end of that season Dickson scored 5 league goals. Despite joining half way through the season this was only 3 less than top scorer for the season Andy Wilson. [ [http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/goalscorers/Goals/MidD/MidD1923.html Middlesbrough 1923-1924 ] ] That season saw relegation for Boro from England's top flight.

In season 1924/25 Dickson finished as joint top scorer at 'Boro with 7 goals along with Owen Williams.

Bernie Slaven would decades later join Ian Dickson as a player to play for Boro after leaving Queen of the South.

Later days

References