JIMMY DICKINSON

Born: 11 November 1899

Came from: Royal Navy   Went to: Wigan Borough

First game: 20 September 1919   Last game: 15 November 1924

Appearances: 141 (141/0)   Goals: 1

Born in Crawshawbooth, in Lancashire in 1899, Dickinson was a useful half-back who could play on either the left or right side.

He began his career with his local team, Rossendale United, and also played for Great Harwood Town before joining the Royal Navy, where he was engaged in anti-submarine operations. Stationed in Plymouth during World War I, he played for the Royal Naval Barracks, in Devonport, with his performances for the Navy's team bringing him to the attention of Argyle, and he duly signed terms at Home Park in June 1919. After 26 Southern League games in his first season at Home Park he made his mark in history by being selected as one of the starting XI for Argyle's debut Football League fixture against Norwich City in August 1920. He was involved in the build-up play to Argyle's first-ever Football League goal scored by Jimmy Heeps in front 17,356 expectant Pilgrims, hoping for a maiden win.

A consistent performer, Dickinson was a regular member of the Argyle side over the next four years but made only two appearances during 1924-25, his final season with the club. In total he made 141 appearances for Argyle, all bar those first 26 of which were the Football League. He scored one goal, away to Southampton, in the Southern League in just his fourth match, in December 1919.

Once the 1924-25, season ended, he returned to his native Lancashire and signed for Football League side Wigan Borough in early 1925. Borough were the precursor to the modern-day Wigan Athletic, playing at the old Springfield Park before Athletic were formed, but were dissolved in 1931 due to dwindling finances. Athletic were formed the following year, in 1932, but did not become a Football League team until 1978, when they replaced Southport. Dickinson, in his time with the club failed to make an appearance, which would have been incidental if he had, as their records and results were expunged.

He had a brief spell back at Rossendale United in 1925-26 playing 36 times and scoring seven goals in the Lancashire Combination League. In 1926, after an initial trial in early August, he enjoyed a brief resumption of his Football League career, with, ironically, Norwich City, playing 16 games in their 1926-27 campaign. At the end of that season, he was given a free transfer, and in August 1927 he signed for Peterborough & Fletton United (the team that became the present-day Peterborough United) and in June 1928 he signed for Guildford City.

Returning north, he became landlord of the Mason's Arms in his native Crawshawbooth, and the September 1939 census showed him living in Upholland, in Lancashire, whilst working as a haulage driver.

A death record matching his date of birth exists, showing he passed away in the registration district of Ormskirk, also in Lancashire (which included Upholland), in December 1970. This indicates that he passed away in late November or December 1970, aged 71 years old.