Malcolm Dawes made his mark on both sides of the Atlantic, playing in England and the United States during a career spanning more than 400 professional appearances.
Following his passing in September, we look back on Malcom's remarkable career journey.
Born in Trimdon, County Durham, Dawes later began his Football League career with Aldershot in 1965.
He went on to make 176 appearances for the club before moving to Hartlepool United in 1969, where he became a "cult hero" according to the club, making 213 appearances and scoring 12 goals.
Mr Dawes was named Hartlepool’s Player of the Season in 1974 but did not receive the trophy until November 2017, when he returned as a special guest for a home match against Aldershot.
He later joined the New York Cosmos in the early days of the North American Soccer League, playing 35 games before moving to the Denver Dynamos for a further 19 appearances.
Returning to England, Mr Dawes joined Workington in November 1975, making 29 consecutive appearances under manager Alan Ashman.
He was named club captain for the 1976–77 season, but injuries forced him to end his campaign early in February 1977.
His final Football League appearance came in a 2-0 defeat at Hartlepool.
Mr Dawes finished his time at Workington with 55 league and cup appearances and one goal. He later spent the 1979–80 season with Whitby Town, making 41 appearances and scoring five goals, before retiring from football.
After football, he remained active in sport, serving as a community and youth development officer at Newton Aycliffe Cricket Club and contributing to the Sedgefield District Cricket Development Group.
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Mr Dawes died in September 2026, aged 82.
He is survived by his wife Pat, children Mark, Jennifer, Adam and Paul, and grandchildren.
His son Mark described him as a kind and gentle man, an "unbelievable dad and grandad," and someone who was still recognised wherever the family went.
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