Full name Gilbert James Dowsett 19??–1952 Sudbury Town Position Inside forward Years Team Height 1.73 m | Playing position Role Footballer Name Dickie Dowsett | |
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Date of birth (1931-07-03) 3 July 1931 (age 84) | ||
Place of birth Chelmsford, England | ||
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Gilbert James "Dickie" Dowsett (born 3 July 1931) is an English former professional footballer who played for Sudbury Town, Tottenham Hotspur, Southend United, Southampton, Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic, Crystal Palace and Weymouth.
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Playing career
Born in Chelmsford, Dowsett began his career at non-League club Sudbury Town before joining Tottenham Hotspur in May 1952. The inside forward scored a goal in his one senior appearance against Aston Villa on 21 August 1954.
Dowsett transferred to Southend United in May 1955 where he netted four times in 20 matches in the 1955–56 season. Whilst at the Roots Hall club, he was spotted by Frank Dudley, who recommended him to his former colleague Ted Bates, who was now manager at Southampton. He joined the "Saints" in July 1956 and featured in two league matches and one in the FA Cup but was unable to stake a claim for a regular place in the first team.
Dowsett signed for Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic in June 1957, for a fee of £100. At Dean Court, Dowsett was converted from a winger into an inside forward with great success. In the five years with Bournemouth, he was the club's top scorer in three seasons. Described as "determined, fast and useful in the air", the free scoring player found the net on 79 occasions in 169 matches. Bournemouth's current club badge features the highly regarded player's profile.
In November 1962 he joined Crystal Palace for a fee of £3500; at the Selhurst Park club, he notched up a further 22 goals in 54 outings. In June 1965, Dowsett went on to play for Weymouth of the Southern League, where he ended his competitive career. In his first season at Weymouth, he helped the club take the Southern League Championship for the second successive season.
Post–football career
After retiring from playing, Dowsett returned to Dean Court where he became Bournemouth's commercial manager, holding the post from June 1968 until March 1983.
Dowsett is a member of the Dorset Cricket Society and recalled his football experiences in an after dinner speech he made to members in March 2010.