Hickson signs for Liverpool

"Never in the history of football in this city has there been such a rumpus about a player from one club joining neighbours and rivals," claimed Leslie Edwards in the Liverpool Echo on 6 November 1959. A bet on an Everton player to join Liverpool would have undoubtedly had handsome odds as well as now and you don't need to seek further if you're looking for online bookmakers. 

"The Liverpool party arrived at Goodison Park at 11.45 a.m. and consisted of Mr. Tom Williams, chairman, Mr. Lawson Martindale, director, Manager Phil Taylor and Secretary Jimmy McInnes," the Liverpool Echo reported. "After signing Hickson said: 'I am very pleased indeed that I have signed for Liverpool after a week of uncertainty and I know my wife and family share my feelings. It has been an anxious time for me recently, but everything is all right now. I am delighted. I am looking forward very much to playing for Liverpool to-morrow, particularly as it will be against one of my old clubs, Aston Villa. I just want the Liverpool fans to know that I will always do my best for them and the club as I have done at Everton.' Everton fans have written that if Hickson goes they go with him; Liverpool have received warning that if Hickson arrives some of their most loyal fans will depart! It remains to be seen if these factions will be as good as their word. The public and football fans have notoriously short memory," concluded the Liverpool Echo.

It was a strange coincidence that Hickson played his last senior game for Everton at Anfield defeating Liverpool 2-0 in the Floodlight Cup on 28 October before making his Liverpool debut on the same ground against Aston Villa on 7 November 1959. Hickson had a night to remember as he was given a big kiss by a Liverpool supporter before the game started which proved a good-luck charm. His second goal of the game in Liverpool's 2-1 win was a tremendous flying header that showed his bravery and as the Liverpool Daily Post reported: "With victory in the air, Anfield erupted. Dave had found a new home, where adulation, spontaneous and overwhelming, promised to outdo anything he had known before." A month after signing for Liverpool, in December 1959, Hickson was again playing under Shankly. Hickson made a slow start under his former manager but from middle of February he scored 15 goals in 15 games but Liverpool came up short again. Hickson was less effective in his second season as well as his strike partner, Roger Hunt. Shankly brought in Ian St John in 1961 which signalled the end of Hickson's Anfield adventure.

Written by Alan Spencer