Malcolm Dawes (1944 - 2026)
It is sadness that we report the passing of former Workington defender, Malcolm Dawes. He was 82.
Born in Trimdon, Durham in 1944, Mally started his senior career with Aldershot where he spent several seasons, playing in 176 League games for the Hampshire club.
A move to his native north east followed and he made nearly 250 appearances for Hartlepool between 1970 and 1975. The defender also had a spell in American football representing New York Cosmos and Denver.
Mally became a Workington player the week before Christmas in 1975 having signed for Alan Ashman. He made his Reds debut at Borough Park against Doncaster Rovers, helping the team to a 3-1 victory.
He remained in the side for the remainder of the ’75-76 season and, despite making just twenty-nine appearances, was named Reds ‘Player of the Year’.
Whilst with Hartlepool, he scored against Reds and his first goal for Workington was against ‘Pools!
Injury struck in his second season at Borough Park and he missed the last three months of the campaign. His final game in Workington colours was, ironically, at Hartlepool.
Over the two seasons, he made 53 starts (plus two further appearances as a substitute) and netted one goal.
He then had a spell with Whitby Town and served the North Yorkshire club well throughout the ’79-80 season before retiring.
Captain of the side for our final season in the League, Mally often visited West Cumbria for matches and reunion gatherings long after his playing days.
He liked following cricket, locally and the first-class game, and could often be found watching Durham CCC at the Riverside.
We send our condolences to his family and friends.
