Bill Dickie was a fascinating character. Hailing from a seemingly affluent Ayrshire family, he gained prominence at Poole Town while serving in the Tank Corps alongside Lawrence of Arabia. Married at 19, he had two children, but his son tragically died in an accident.Dickie impressed Everton while playing for Poole Town in an F.A. Cup tie at Goodison Park in 1927, leading to his transfer. He played 20 consecutive Central League games before breaking his leg. At Southport, he earned praise for his exceptional ball control and skill above Third Division standards.His career included stints with Connah’s Quay, Wrexham (19 League games), and Llanelli. Afterward, he ran a pub in Poole, worked as a chauffeur in Bournemouth, and resurfaced during World War II as a Sergeant Major in the Catering Corps. Later, he remarried, had another son, and worked various jobs until his mid-70s. Dickie passed away at home in Holloway, with his second family unaware of his first.

Profile reproduced with Permission from:
The Sandgrounders: The Complete League History of Southport F. C., by Michael Braham and Geoff Wilde (Palatine Books, 1995). ISBN 978-1-874181-14-9