Dave Hickson
Centre Forward (1959-61)
Date of Birth: 30-10-1929
Birthplace: Ellesmere Port
Debut : 7th November 1959 v Aston Villa (H) Football League Division Two: Won 2-1
1st team games: 67
1st team goals: 38
Other clubs: Ellesmere Port, Everton (twice), Aston Villa, Huddersfield Town, Cambridge City, Bury, Tranmere Rovers, Ballymena United (player/manager), Ellesmere Port Town (player/manager), Northwich Victoria, Winsford United.
The transfer of 'dashing' Dave Hickson from Everton to Liverpool in November 1959 caused an unprecedented furore on Merseyside.
Hickson was the undisputed darling of the Gwladys Street and the man Kopites loved to hate. Liverpudlians were so outraged at the prospect of him donning red shirt that they threatened to rip up their season tickets and Evertonians stated likewise.
The local press was flooded with letters of protest but with Liverpool in desperate need of firepower to boost their faltering promotion push the deal eventually went through.
The following afternoon a bumper crowd of close on 50,000 were in attendance as the 'Cannonball Kid' (as he was known at Everton), made a dream start to his Liverpool career.
Despite the controversy that surrounded his move and fears that the Liverpudlians would not take to their new signing, Hickson was given a heroes reception when he ran out at Anfield for the first time in a red shirt.
His arrival put almost 15,000 on the gate for the visit of league leaders Aston Villa, ironically one of his former clubs, and one fan even ran across the pitch to plant a kiss on his cheek!
He responded by scoring two goals in a memorable 2-1 win and the Kop had found themselves a new hero. Although quiet and unassuming off the field, on the pitch Hickson possessed a fiery temperament and this often got him into trouble with referees.
On one such occasion, at home to Sheffield United in January 1960, he was sent off.
Honours with Liverpool: None
Dave Hickson