Dawson began his career with his local team, Bedlington United, before
signing up with Preston North End. He was given his Preston debut in
the autumn of 1912 and appeared in 26 games as the Lilywhites secured
promotion from the Second Division that season. He was a regular at
left-half in 1913/14 when they were relegated, and remained a fixture
as they finished the 1914/15 campaign runners up, though the outbreak
of the First World War put their promotion on hold for four years.
When Bob Hewison was unavailable for Leeds City on 6 January 1917, Dawson
was invited to appear as guest for their local derby with Huddersfield.
City drew 1-1 and Dawson retained his place for the following two games,
though his mistake towards the end of the game at Sheffield against The
Wednesday on 20 January resulted in a goal which saw City drop a point
in a 2-2 draw. According to J H Stainton in the Leeds Mercury,
'The City goal was heavily assailed, though only four minutes remained
when Wednesday again got on terms. This was directly due to a bad blunder
by Dawson. A long pass out saw him allow the ball to go on to Kirkman,
who dribbled in, and with a swift, low shot had Robinson
beaten.'
Dawson's fourth and final appearance for City came on 10 February when
they drew 1-1 at Elland Road against Hull, with Hewison again missing.
Dawson continued to play for Preston until 1921 after the resumption of
peacetime football, taking his overall league appearance record for North
End on to 123.
He died in 1927.
