Rotherham United are deeply saddened to have received confirmation of the recent of the passing of our former player, Richard Dawson, aged 60.
‘Dick’ as he was affectionately known to his Millers teammates, began his career as a professional footballer with Rotherham United in 1978 and continued to wear the club’s colours until 1981, when near-neighbours Doncaster Rovers swooped for his services. He would go on to represent the likes of Chesterfield, Scarborough and Boston United before calling time on his playing days.
A well-built forward, Dawson burst onto the scene with Rotherham United under the stewardship of then-boss Jim McGuigan, making his debut aged just 17. He scored his first goal for the Millers just days before his 18th birthday to put him in the esteemed company of the few players who have netted for the club at 17-years-old. He remained at the club for the early part of Ian Porterfield’s reign as Millers manager and was a part of the squad in that famous 1980/81 season - in which the likes of Ronnie Moore, John Breckin and Tony Towner stormed the Third Division to claim the title – and departed in February of the same season to join Doncaster.
Upon learning the news of the passing of his former teammate, Breckin, expressed his heartfelt condolences to Dick’s family and friends, recalling fond memories of the Chesterfield-born forward.
“It’s incredibly sad news to hear that Dick has passed away, aged just 60," he told www.themillers.co.uk.
“As people know, that period from the late 70s into the early 80s both in my life and the history of Rotherham United was unforgettable and I will always be incredibly grateful to everyone who played a part in making that time so memorable.
“He was not a regular in the team during that era, but it was having people like him around the place pushing us all on that kept us at our best every week we turned out.
“In addition to that, he was part of the camaraderie of one of the closest-knit dressing rooms I have ever been involved in and of the many tales I can recall from that period, he features in a number.
“On behalf of everyone at the football club, I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to Dick’s family and friends at what is an incredibly difficult time.”
Once a Miller. Always a Miller.
Rest In Peace.