Former Sky Blue ‘Keeper Is 81 Today. ‘Happy Birthday’, Alan!!
CCFPA would like to extend its birthday greetings to Alan Dickie, the former goalkeeper for the Sky Blue, who was born on January 30, 1944, in Charlton, south London. Today is Alan’s eighty-first birthday!
Alan became a professional in February 1962 after beginning his career as an apprentice at West Ham United.
Alan started in goal for the Hammers in just twelve league games between 1960 and 1966, but he was a mainstay in the reserves.
In March 1967, Jimmy Hill, the manager, signed him to the Sky Blues to cover Bill Glazier, who also later joined this Association. In a 3–3 draw with Nottingham Forest at the City Ground in August 1967, Alan made his debut.
After only two League appearances and one Cup match for the Sky Blues first team, shot-stopper Alan, who had shown himself to be a fully capable deputy, decided to move to Aldershot in July 1968 in order to pursue first team options rather than remain in the City reserves.
During the 1968–69 season, he made just seven league appearances for the ‘Shots.
Like Don Nardiello, Jim Holmes, Greg Downs, and other members of the CCFPA, Alan was also a former Sky Blue who joined the police force after hanging up his football boots! Later, he was employed at QMH in Sidcup, Kent, in the Coroner’s Office.
When the late great Jimmy Hill visited the Ricoh in August 2010 to unveil his statue and be greeted by former Sky Blue teammates and supporters, Alan was there for the last time, more than ten years ago. Alan can be seen cheering JH from the far left of the guard of honor!
Current CCFC Management and Former Players Applaud Jimmy
Everybody at CCFPA I hope you’re having a good day today, Alan, and that you’ll be able to visit us at a CCFPA event soon.
Leave a Reply