Football's Pioneering Managers: Arthur Dickinson

Arthur Dickinson of The Wednesday (as Sheffield Wednesday were officially known until 1929) had a key role at the club from 1877 to 1920, serving variously as committee member, honorary secretary, and director. ‘Over many years’, as one journalist put it in 1927, ‘he held the unique position of unpaid overseer to the affairs of The Wednesday club’.

Dickinson was born in Sheffield in 1851, the son of a butcher. He became a clerk in the city’s cutlery trade, and then a manager in the industry. He lived in Sheffield throughout his life, and quickly dedicated himself to The Wednesday. His cutlery salary allowed him to remain unpaid at Wednesday throughout his long association with the club, which began in 1867.

As a committee member and administrator, Dickinson was central to the club’s transition from amateurism to professionalism. He took a lead in recruiting players, including some notorious poaching from Scottish clubs which strengthened the team but caused him some personal trouble on his visits north of the border, as some clubs did not want to lose their talent to England.

Dickinson managed team affairs from 1891, and is often described as The Wednesday’s first manager. His tenure lasted until 1920. In these three decades, the club recorded some of its greatest successes. Dickinson led them from the Football Alliance into the First Division of the Football League in 1892 when the League expanded.

Wednesday won the FA Cup in 1896, beating Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1 at Crystal Palace. After a relegation in 1899, the club bounced straight back, winning the Second Division in 1899/1900. Dickinson led the club’s move to its new ground at Hillsborough at this time.

The club won the league in 1902/03 and again in 1903/04, with a second FA Cup victory coming in 1906/07 with a 2-1 win over Everton. The next decade saw fewer successes, and Wednesday were relegated again in 1919/20, at which point Dickinson stood down.

As well as his commitment to The Wednesday, Dickinson was a dedicated committee man at both the Football Association and Football League. He was on league business in London, travelling to an English League vs. Scottish League match at White Hart Lane, when he died suddenly in November 1930.

Both teams wore black armbands for the match as, in the words of the Athletic News, ‘Football parted company with a quiet, friendly little figure whose loyal and sincere labours will never be forgotten’.