Martin Dickens - Heritage Number 608

It is with great sadness that Warrington Wolves learned of the passing of former hooker Martin Dickens, who was 85. Martin passed away after a long illness on Thursday 29^th April.

Wigan born Martin signed for Leigh as a 16-year-old in 1952. A brilliant schoolboy player for the famous Worsley Boys Club, he also played for Wigan Old Boys RUFC. After impressive performances in the A team, Martin made his first team debut in a 14-13 home win over St Helens a day after his 18th birthday in April 1954.

Martin quickly earned respect as a clever footballer and he made 87 appearances for Leigh over eight seasons, scoring 14 tries. He scored a try against Warrington in the ITV Floodlit Final on 16^th November 1955, which the Wire won 43-15.

He became Leigh’s regular loose forward and captain in his final two years at Leigh before a surprise transfer took him to Warrington. He made his Wire debut on 20^th February 1960 at Huddersfield at loose forward. It did not take long before he moved to hooker.

He was Warrington’s regular hooker for the 1960/1 season, playing in 17 successive matches that saw The Wire move into the Top Four. The run came to an end on Boxing Day when Martin suffered a broken leg, in the 15^th minute against Leigh, ended his season. Warrington finished the season 2^nd in the league and reached the Championship Final.

Martin was back for the start of the 1961/2 season and finished it playing in Brian Bevan’s last match for Warrington on Easter Monday 1962, when Leigh were defeated 29-17.

He had the unusual experience of playing against his younger brother Tommy in a Lancashire Cup-tie at Hilton Park when the latter was making his Leigh debut in September 1964. Tommy later signed for The Wire went on to play 15 matches for Warrington.

In August 1965 Martin skippered the Warrington team to win the Wigan Sevens and lift the Silcock Cup. This was the first time that the trophy had left Wigan, the pre-season competition having been held annually since 1959.

Obituary: Martin Dickens