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17 March 2024
 
 

Alf Dobson

Notts County FC & Corinthians FC

 4 appearances, 0 goals

P 4 W 3 D 0 L 1 F 25: A 2
75% successful
1882-84

captain: none
minutes played: 360

Timeline
  Alfred Thomas Carrick Dobson
Birth Monday, 28 March 1859 at 23 Lenton Road, The Park, Basford, Nottinghamshire.
  registered in Nottingham April-June 1859
Baptism 30 April 1859 at St. Barnabas' Church, Nottingham.
 

Alf Dobson cannot be found on the 1861-1871 census returns, Dobson's son, Alfred, born in 1891 and died in West Flanders in June 1915, so claims the Beeston website that ATC's father was a William Ebenezer. His mother was Sabina (née Pearson).
"DEATHS —On the 14th at Hastings, Sabina, the beloved wife of Mr. Wm. E. Dobson, the Park, Nottingham" - Saturday, 16 February 1867, Nottingham Journal
 

According to the 1871 census, Alfred's father, William E. is found at 23 Lenton Road with two servants. Where are all the other Dobson's?
(His father remarried at the end of 1871 to Martha Downing Stevens)

"ROBIN HOOD RIFLES. REGIMENTAL ORDERS,
"No.6.—Extract from the London Gazette:—'1st Nottinghamshire Rifle Volunteer Corps—Alfred Thomas Carrick Dobson, gentleman, to be Second Lieutenant (supernumerary), July 10th" - Wednesday, 17 July 1878/Thursday, 25 July 1878/Tuesday, 30 July 1878, all in Nottingham Evening Post
  (His step-mother Martha, died on 24 October 1879)
  "The following appointments appear in the London Gazette:—....1st Nottinghamshire Corps—The undermentioned second lieutenants to be lieutenants: Alfred Thomas Carrick Dobson" - Saturday, 28 August 1880, Nottingham Evening Post/Friday, 3 September 1880, Nottinghamshire Guardian
 

According to the 1881 census, The Dobson's (Father and six children) were living at 23 Lenton Road in Nottingham, with step-daughter Miss Augusta Stevens, and five servants.
(His father remarried in mid-1882 to Mary Jane Young)
  Alf Dobson cannot be found on the 1891 census returns, but the family are still at 73 Lenton Road.
  "Lieutenant Alfred Thomas Carrick Dobson resigns his commission Ist Volunteer Battalion the Prince Albert's (Somersetshire Light Infantry)" - Wednesday, 25 July 1883, Naval & Military Gazette and Weekly Chronicle of the United Service
First marriage to Louise Lucille Merme, mid-1891, in Blackpool, a Swiss national
  registered in Fylde July-September 1891
Children Alfred and Louise Dobson had one son together. Alfred Frederick Ottobine (b.1 February 1894 d.15 June 1915)
 

(His wife, Louise Dobson died in 1900. His father died on 31 January 1901)
According to the 1901 census, Alfred T. is a widower, a lace manufacturer, and living with his step mother, also a widow, and his step-family, and his only son, Alfred F.O.. One of the boarders at 23 Lenton Road is a Miss Augusta Stevens.
Second marriage to Augusta Martha Stevens, at the end of 1902, in Kingston. Augusta is his step-sister
  registered in Kingston October-December 1902
 

According to the 1911 census, Alfred, a lace manufacturer, is married to Augusta, with two servants, living at The Yews, High Road, in the Beeston area of Nottingham.
(Augusta Dobson died on 18 August 1914)
The 1914 and 1920 Nottingham Electoral Registers states that Dobson is still a lace manufacturer and still living at The Yews.
Third marriage to Lily Betsy Walker, in mid-1916, in Leicester. Lily is 18 years younger.
  registered in Leicester April-June 1916
 

According to the 1921 census, Alfred, a retired lace manufacturer, is married to Lily Betsy, with two servants, still living at The Yews.
According to passengers list, in 1927, Alfred Thos. (aged 68) and his wife, Lily Betsy (50), are returning First Class from Madeira, arriving at Southampton on SS ***worth Castle on 4 April 1927. They still live at The Yews.

Death Saturday, 22 October 1932 at The Yews, High Road, Beeston, Nottinghamshire
aged 73 years 208 days registered in Basford October-December 1932

Obituary

"BEESTON SPORTSMAN PASSES
"The death of Mr. Alfred T. Dobson, of 'The Yews,' Beeston, was announced on Saturday in his 73rd year. A well-known amateur footballer, he captained Notts County and played for England against Scotland. The funeral will take place at St. Barnabas' Cathedral, Nottingham, tomorrow." - Monday, 25 October 1932, Nottingham Journal.
Funeral
Tuesday, 25 October 1932
 St. Barnabas Cathedral, Derby Road, Nottingham.
Buried in Beeston Cemetery
"LATE MR. ALFRED DOBSON―FUNERAL AT THE GENERAL CEMETERY
"There was a fairly large gathering to-day at the funeral of Mr. Alfred T. Dobson, of The Yews, High Road, Beeston, which took place at the Nottingham General Cemetery. The deceased gentleman, who was 73, was a noted amateur Association footballer, and had been 'capped' four times. He also achieved distinction as a cyclist. For 20 years, and up to his death, Mr. Dobson was a director of Messrs. Wrights and Dobson Bros., Ltd., dyers, bleachers and dressers, of Nottingham.
"The first part of the service was held in the Roman Catholic [St. Barnabas'] Cathedral, Derby-road. The Rev. Father Hays, of Beeston, said the Requiem Mass, and was assisted by Father Ellis, Administrator at the Cathedral. The Bishop (Dr. J. McNulty) and Father Grice were present. The organist (Mr. F. Taylor) played a movement from Friedensfeirs's sonata, a dirge by Ambroise Thomas, and Chopin's Funeral March." - Tuesday, 26 October 1932, Nottingham Evening Post
  "ALFRED THOMAS CARRICK DOBSON. DECEASED
 "ALL PERSONS having CLAIMS
against the Estate of Alfred Thomas Carrick Dobson, late of 'The Yews,' Beeston, in the County of Nottingham, Retired Lace Manufacturer, Deceased, who died on the 22nd day of October, 1932, are requested to send particulars thereof to  EKING, MANNING & CO.,
                                                                                        7, Park Row, Nottingham.
Solicitors for the Executors."
- Saturday, 29 October 1932, Nottingham Journal
Probate "DOBSON Alfred Thomas Carrick of The Yews Beeston Nottinghamshire died 22 October 1932 Probate Nottingham 13 December to Edward Lawrence Manning solicitor Arthur Samuel Page bank Manager and William Foster solicitor.
 Effects £36979 18s." [2019 equivalent: £2,600,628]. Resworn February 1934 £38401:15:5.
  Charley Dobson died on 18 May 1939

Source

Douglas Lammings' An English Football Internationalist Who's Who [1990], Beeston-Notts.co.uk &

Playing Career
Club(s) Attended Downside School in Nottingham, before joining Notts County FC.
Corinthians guested for the team
Club honours None
Height/Weight not known

Source

Douglas Lammings' An English Football Internationalist Who's Who [1990].

England Career
Player number One of seven who became the ninetieth players (91) to appear for England.
Position(s) Right-back
First match No. 14, 18 February 1882, Ireland 0 England 13, a friendly match at Knock Ground, Bloomfield, Belfast, aged 22 years 327 days;
Last match
2 years 28 days		 No. 22, 17 March 1884, Wales 0 England 4, a British Championship match at The Racecourse, Mold Road, Wrexham, aged 24 years 355 days;
Major tournaments British Championship 1883-84;
Individual honours The North (two appearances, 1882-84)
The Probables (one appearance, March 1882)
Distinctions Brother of Charley Dobson;

Beyond England

Apparently not hindered by his weak eyesight.  Involved in the family's fabric business (W.E. & F. Dobson Ltd) in Nottingham. - An English Football Internationalists' Who's Who. Douglas Lamming (1990). Hatton Press, p.89.


The Numbers
parties Appearances comp. apps minutes captain
4 4 3 360 0 none
The minutes here given can only ever be a guideline and cannot therefore be accurate, only an approximation.
P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
4 3 0 1 25 2 +23 1 2 6.25 0.5 75 +2
All of his matches were played at an away venue

Competition Record

Competition P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
British Championship 3 2 0 1 12 2 +10 1 1 4.00 0.667 66.7 +1
Friendly 1 1 0 0 13 0 +13 0 1 13.0 0.00 100.0 +1

Tournament Record

British Championship Competition
Type P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
BC 1883-84 3 2 0 1 12 2 +10 1 1 4.00 0.667 66.7 +1
BC All 3 2 0 1 12 2 +10 1 1 4.00 0.667 66.7 +1

All Competition
Type P W D L F A GD FTS CS FAv AAv Pts% W/L
BC 3 2 0 1 12 2 +10 1 1 4.00 0.667 66.7 +1
3 2 0 1 12 2 +10 1 1 4 0.667 66.7 +1

Match History

 Clubs: Notts County F.C. & Corinthians F.C. - four full appearances (360 min) F.A. Committee - four full appearances (360 min)x

Age 22 trial  
one appearance - The South vs. The North, 28 January 1882;

apps match match details comp res rundown pos

1 14 18 February 1882 - Ireland 0 England 13
Knock Ground, Belfast 		Fr AW   rb
   

one of seven who became the ninetieth (91) players to appear for England
the fifth player from Notts County FC to represent England
one of three who became the first Corinthian to represent England

trial  
one appearance - The Improbables vs. The Probables, 4 March 1882.
Age 24    
one appearance - The South vs. The North, 26 January 1884;

2 20 23 February 1884 - Ireland 1 England 8
Ulster Cricket Ground, Belfast 		BC AW   rb
3 21 15 March 1884 - Scotland 1 England 0
Cathkin Park, Glasgow		 BC AL   rb
4 22 17 March 1884 - Wales 0 England 4
The Racecourse, Wrexham		 AW   rb
   

his brother Charley played for England in 1886 - the ninth set of brothers to do so

   

 
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