Ronnie Dicks
English footballer (1924–2004)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ronald William Dicks (13 April 1924 – 30 January 2004) was an English professional footballer who played primarily as a wing half. He spent his entire professional career with Middlesbrough, where he made 316 Football League appearances.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Ronald William Dicks[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 13 April 1924 | ||
| Place of birth | Kennington, London, England | ||
| Date of death | 30 January 2004 (aged 79) | ||
| Place of death | Middlesbrough, England | ||
| Position | Wing half | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| Dulwich Hamlet | |||
| 1943–1958 | Middlesbrough | 316 | (10) |
| Total | 316+ | (10+) | |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Career
Dicks was born in Kennington, London.[2] Having previously played as an amateur for Dulwich Hamlet, Dicks signed as an amateur for Middlesbrough in April 1943, as he was performing military service in the Royal Artillery nearby at Marske Aerodrome, and signed a professional contract shortly after. He played wartime football for Middlesbrough and was then stationed in Burma following the end of the Second World War.[3][2]
After his return from military service, he made his league debut for Middlesbrough in August 1947. He made 316 league appearances between then and his retirement in 1958, playing largely at wing half but also acting as a utility player.[2]
After football
Following his retirement in 1958, he continued to live in Middlesbrough.[2] He set up a furniture company and later worked in a sports shop.[3]
Personal life
He was the older brother of fellow footballer and football manager Alan Dicks, who played for Chelsea and Southend United, and managed Bristol City, amongst others.[2]
He died on 30 January 2004, in James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough, having outlived his wife Margaret.[3]
Career statistics
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Middlesbrough | 1947–48 | First Division | 22 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 23 | 2 |
| 1948–49 | First Division | 19 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 2 | |
| 1949–50 | First Division | 22 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 26 | 0 | |
| 1950–51 | First Division | 35 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 36 | 1 | |
| 1951–52 | First Division | 27 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 30 | 0 | |
| 1952–53 | First Division | 10 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 0 | |
| 1953–54 | First Division | 32 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 34 | 0 | |
| 1954–55 | Second Division | 39 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 40 | 2 | |
| 1955–56 | Second Division | 36 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 38 | 0 | |
| 1956–57 | Second Division | 41 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 44 | 2 | |
| 1957–58 | Second Division | 25 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 1 | |
| 1958–59 | Second Division | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | |
| Career total | 316 | 10 | 18 | 0 | 334 | 10 | ||