Player Profile

Hickson's move from Everton to Liverpool caused an uproar among supporters on both sides. Hickson, with his signature blonde quiff, was a big star at Everton and their fans were disgusted with him for leaving for Liverpool and Reds' fans were horrified that the club's board would even contemplate signing a player from Everton. Hickson signed professional forms with the Blues in 1948 having honed his striking skills under the tutelage of goalscoring great Dixie Dean. Hickson's enthusiasm for the game sometimes got the better of him and he was no stranger to suspensions after being dismissed by referees on more than one or even two occasions. He was prolific in front of goal and scored 71 goals in 151 games for the Blues from 1951-1955, the majority of the games being played in the Second Division. Everton were promoted to the First Division in 1954, but after only one season in the top-flight, Hickson moved to first division Aston Villa. He only stayed two months there before joining Huddersfield where a certain Bill Shankly coached the reserves and took over as manager a year later in November 1956. Liverpool could have snapped him up in 1957 but decided against paying £6,000 for him so Everton moved in and he scored further 40 goals in 92 games on his return.

"The Cannonball Kid" certainly took a bold decision when he had just passed his thirtieth birthday when he crossed Stanley Park. Liverpool manager, Phil Taylor, hoped Hickson would be the man whose goals would take Liverpool back into the First Division. Hickson was relieved after signing the contract: "I am very pleased indeed that I have signed for Liverpool after a week of uncertainty and I know my wife and family share my feelings. It has been an anxious time for me recently, but everything is all right now. I am delighted. I just want the Liverpool fans to know that I will always do my best for them and the club as I have done at Everton." It was a strange coincidence that Hickson played his last senior game for Everton at Anfield defeating Liverpool 2-0 in the Floodlight Cup on 28 October before making his Liverpool debut on the same ground against Aston Villa on 7 November. Hickson had a night to remember as he was given a big kiss by a Liverpool supporter before the game started which proved a good-luck charm. His second goal of the game in Liverpool's 2-1 win was a tremendous flying header that showed his bravery and as the Liverpool Daily Post reported: "With victory in the air, Anfield erupted. Dave had found a new home, where adulation, spontaneous and overwhelming, promised to outdo anything he had known before." A month after signing for Liverpool, in December 1959, Hickson was again playing under Shankly. Hickson made a slow start under his former manager but from middle of February he scored 15 goals in 15 games but Liverpool came up short again. Hickson was less effective in his second season as well as his strike partner, Roger Hunt. Shankly brought in Ian St John in 1961 which signalled the end of Hickson's Anfield adventure. Hickson is the best-known of the trio that has been at all three of Merseyside's major clubs: Liverpool, Everton and Tranmere Rovers. The other two players are John Heydon and Frank Mitchell.

Hickson returned to Ellesmere Port Town as player-coach in 1965 and proved he had lost none of the fire in his belly. A Cheshire league cup game against Macclesfield Town on 11 September 1965 had to be abandoned after 84 minutes as Hickson refused to leave the pitch after being sent off. The tie was subsequently awarded to Macclesfield. Hickson has been a tour guide at Goodison Park for a number of years and played charity football until he was 77 years old! It needed a heart attack to stop him lacing his football boots! Hickson is truly revered as a legend at his former clubs as he earned the respect of fans, opponents and teammates alike during his historic career.