We were very sad to hear the recent news that former County goalkeeper Dick Dighton (SCAN 740) had passed away after a long term illness.
Dick signed for County on loan in 1970 and made a single appearance for The Hatters. With the County goalkeeper Alan Ogley getting injured in a game at Peterborough, County officials were facing a dilemma. They had a fixture to play on the following Monday and were without a goalkeeper. Luckily for County, Peterborough had a young 19 year old keeper available and Dick Dighton signed, making his Football League debut in the away game against Cambridge United on Monday 19th October 1970. The game finished in a 1-1- draw.
Before joining County, Dick was the youngest player to play for Corby Town (15 years) before appearing in the FA Youth Cup final with Coventry City. He joined Peterborough in 1969, where he was to make 8 senior appearances before moving into local non league football. He played with distinction for Kettering Town (winning the Southern League championship), Rushden Town and Corby Town.
He was a trained sign writer, painting many of the signs for the turnstiles at Kettering’s Rockingham Road ground. He later worked for the Royal Mail before started up his own painting and decorating business.
Everyone at Stockport County Football Club extends their condolences to all of Dick’s family and friends at this sad time.
