Dave Hickson - 1951 - 1955 & 1957-59 :

Dave Hickson started his playing career with Ellesmere Port where hisgoal scoring prowess was spotted by the then Everton manager Cliff Britton. He signed for Everton in 1948 but did not officially become a player with the club until 1951 because he had to do National Service. He played for the Cheshire Army Cadet team while waiting to start his Everton career and it was during this period that he was coached by the great Dixie Dean.

Hickson made his Everton debut in September 1951 against Leeds United, the club were in the Second Division at the time and he soon established himself in the side, playing 31 games and scoring 14 goals in his first season. Hickson was a physical centre forward and this coupled with his unswerving commitment soon made him a firm favourite with the Goodison faithful.

His aggressive style of play was totally out of character with the off the field Dave Hickson, were he was a quiet and unassuming man. The aggression on the pitch was to lead him to have several run-ins with officials and he was sent off three times in his career. Hickson, with his fully quiffed up shock of blonde hair, was to become one of the few things to get excited about at Goodison during this bleak period in Everton's history.

Hickson forged a very productive partnership with John Willie Parker, although he was the target man due to his immense aerial threat, he was also a difficult opponent with the ball on the floor. One of his main attributes was a fiercely powerful shot, which earned him the nickname 'Cannonball Kid'

Dave Hickson entered Everton folklore during the FA Cup run of the 1952-53 which was to see the club reach the semi final as a Second Division side. Two home wins against Ipswich Town and Nottingham Forest saw the club drawn against the mighty Manchester United in the fifth round, 77,920 packed into Goodison Park to witness a thrilling match, They were not to be disappointed. On the half hour United took the lead but this was not to last and within minutes Tommy Eglington equalised. Just before half time Hickson dived headlong amongst flying boots only to emerge with a huge gash above one eye.

No substitutions were allowed at this time and everyone in the ground expected Everton to have to complete the game with 10 men. Hickson had other ideas and emerged from the tunnel with five stitches in the wound and within minutes of coming back onto the pitch Hickson was to score what would turn out to be the winner. He reopened the wound following a header which hit the post and the blood began to flow turning his blue shirt red. He ignored pleas from both his captain and referee to leave the field and when the final whistle went the ovation he received was second to none.

The following season Everton were promoted back to the First Division and Hickson and Parker scored an impressive 56 goals between them. After just one season in the top flight Everton sold Hickson to Aston Villa for £17,500 much to the dismay of many Evertonians. He could not settle and after only 12 games he moved again, this time to Huddersfield Town. He spent two seasons with Huddersfield before he rejoined Everton in 1957 for £7,500.

His second period with Everton was not as productive as his first but he was still hero worshipped by the Goodison crowd and when he was sold to Liverpool in 1959 there was much dissent. After two seasons with them Hickson moved again firstly to non league Cambridge City, then to Bury before returning to Merseyside to play for Tranmere Rovers.

On retirement from football Dave Hickson returned to his beloved Everton where he was employed by the club to give guided tours of the ground. He still turned out in friendly and charity games until well into his 60's.

 

Dave Hickson's Everton Playing record:

League appearances 235, goals 95

FA Cup appearances 18, goals 16