Biography
Left back Andy Dawson was the most influential defender in City’s rise from fourth tier to the top division during the 2000s and resides in the top twenty appearance makers in the club’s history. Dawson signed for City in May 2003 and his influence on the City backline was immediate as the Tigers won promotion at the end of the 2003/04 season for the first time in nineteen years. As City rose through the divisions other left backs were signed by Peter Taylor, they were used occasionally but it was never long before Dawson was restored to the first team. He was a tenacious tackler, a surprisingly quick mover and took a decent free kick from 25 to 30 yards. When City reached the Premier League Andy was reaching the peak of his powers and he quietly dominated his more illustrious foes in the top flight, none more so than the pacy Theo Walcott at Arsenal who found himself in the clear during the seminal 2-1 City victory in September 2008, only to find Dawson haring after him, catching him and executing a perfect tackle. When City dropped out of the Premier League in May 2010 Dawson took the role of senior pro in the defence and often captained the sides managed by both Nigel Pearson and Nicky Barmby. But during the 2012-13 season, Dawson’s tenth season at the club, his influence waned and his contract was not renewed. His long service earned a testimonial match against Real Betis in August 2013 with proceeds going to a local charity. Andy Dawson was one of the four legends that played for City in all four tiers of the senior game in England and remains a proper City hero.
Andrew Stuart Dawson came from a legendary North Yorkshire-born footballing family (his brother Michael later played for and captained City in the 2010s) and started his career at Nottingham Forest, making his senior debut in September 1998, in a League Cup tie against Leyton Orient. This proved to be Dawson’s only senior appearance for Forest, as he moved to League Division 3 side Scunthorpe United in December 1998. He went straight into The Iron’s first team and scored his first goal for the club in the League Division 3 play-off final second leg against Swansea City, a goal that steered Scunthorpe to a Wembley final against Leyton Orient that ended with promotion. Andy remained a first choice left back for the next four seasons as Scunthorpe were immediately relegated back to the fourth tier, then flirted unsuccessfully with a further promotion. His final two appearances for the Iron came in May 2003, an unsuccessful play-off campaign that ended in heavy defeat to local rivals Lincoln City. Dawson left Scunthorpe United in the 2003 close season having made 225 senior appearances and scored 11 goals.
Dawson returned to Scunthorpe United in July 2013 as a player coach, making a further 27 senior appearances across two seasons. His playing career ended in 2015 but Dawson remained on the coaching staff at Glanford Park. Indeed, he had two spells as caretaker manager in 2014 and 2019, the latter spell couldn’t prevent The Iron’s relegation to League Two.
In September 2019 Dawson made a welcome return to the Hull City fold, taking the job of Reserve Team Coach vacated by the departing Craig Fagan. He was promoted to the first team coaching staff at the start of the 2022/23 season and when manager Shota Arveladze was dismissed in September 2022 Dawson was elevated to caretaker first team manager while a successor was selected. When Liam Rosenior took over as first team manager Dawson reverted to his first team coaching role, providing the gaffer with sage touchline advice on matchdays and was the continuity man in the coaching team when new manager Tim Walter was appointed in June 2024.
Details
Nationality: England
Date/Place of Birth: 20 October 1978, Northallerton
Hull City First Game: 8 September 2003, Doncaster Rovers A (League Division 3), 24 years, 323 days old
Hull City Final Game: 15 January 2013, Leyton Orient A (FA Cup Third Round), 34 years, 87 days old
Clubs
Nottingham Forest (1996-1999), Scunthorpe United (1998-1999, loan), Scunthorpe United (1999-2003), Hull City (2003-2013), Scunthorpe United (2013-2015)
Hull City Record
Career: 317 apps, 10 goals
Andy DawsonSeason | LGE App | LGE Gls | FAC App | FAC Gls | FLC App | FLC Gls | EUR App | EUR Gls | OTH App | OTH Gls |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2003/04 | 32 (1) | 3 | 1 (0) | 0 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
2004/05 | 34 (0) | 0 | 3 (0) | 0 | 0 (1) | 0 | – | – | – | – |
2005/06 | 17 (1) | 0 | 1 (0) | 0 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
2006/07 | 38 (0) | 2 | 2 (0) | 2 | 3 (0) | 0 | – | – | – | – |
2007/08 | 24 (5) | 1 | – | – | 1 (1) | 0 | – | – | 3 (0) | 0 |
2008/09 | 25 (0) | 1 | 3 (0) | 0 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
2009/10 | 35 (0) | 1 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
2010/11 | 45 (0) | 0 | 1 (0) | 0 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
2011/12 | 31 (1) | 0 | – | – | 1 (0) | 0 | – | – | – | – |
2012/13 | 3 (1) | 0 | 2 (0) | 0 | 1 (0) | 0 | – | – | – | – |