Dave Bickles
Encyclopedia
David 'Dave' Bickles was a professional footballer who played as a centre half.
. He made his debut for West Ham at Anfield
in a 2-1 win in September 1963; the last occasion that West Ham beat Liverpool
on their own ground.
During a game against Liverpool 1966 Bickles was injured in a clash with Ian St John and dislocated his shoulder. Never fully diagnosed by West Ham doctors Bickles was accused of not putting in the effort. After only 28 appearances in all competitions for West Ham he was transferred to Crystal Palace
in October 1967. Palace medical staff fully diagnosed Bickle's injury problems and discovered that a piece of bone had broken-off from his shoulder. Injury meant that he failed to play for Palace and in 1968 moved to Colchester United
before becoming player/manager for Romford
in the Southern League
.
Bickles had a short spell managing Collier Row in the Spartan League
in the 1980s. Leaving football Bickles took up teaching in East Ham
where, as a PE
teacher, he spotted Lee Hodges
playing and recommended him to The Hammers.
In the 1990s he was invited by West Ham youth coach Tony Carr
, with whom he had played in the 1960s, to join the coaching staff.
Ill health struck Bickles in 1997 when he was diagnosed with kidney cancer
; the cause of his death on 1 November 1999.
A few days later, on 4 November 1999, before a UEFA Cup
game against Steaua Bucharest a minute's silence was held for Bickles and fellow West Ham player Johnny Byrne
who had also recently died.
Career
Bickles started his career as a youth player for West Ham UnitedWest Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
. He made his debut for West Ham at Anfield
Anfield
Anfield is an association football stadium in the district of Anfield, Liverpool, England, with a seating capacity of 45,522. It has been the home of Liverpool F.C. since their formation in 1892 and was originally the home of Everton F.C. from 1884 to 1892, before they moved to Goodison Park...
in a 2-1 win in September 1963; the last occasion that West Ham beat Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
on their own ground.
During a game against Liverpool 1966 Bickles was injured in a clash with Ian St John and dislocated his shoulder. Never fully diagnosed by West Ham doctors Bickles was accused of not putting in the effort. After only 28 appearances in all competitions for West Ham he was transferred to Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
in October 1967. Palace medical staff fully diagnosed Bickle's injury problems and discovered that a piece of bone had broken-off from his shoulder. Injury meant that he failed to play for Palace and in 1968 moved to Colchester United
Colchester United F.C.
Colchester United Football Club is an English football club based in Colchester. The club was formed in 1937, and briefly shared their old Layer Road home with now defunct side Colchester Town who had previously used the ground from 1910....
before becoming player/manager for Romford
Romford F.C.
Romford F.C. is an English football club based in Romford, Greater London. The club are currently members of Division One North of the Isthmian League, and play at Mill Field in Aveley.-History:...
in the Southern League
Southern Football League
The Southern League is an English football competition featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs from the South West, South Central and Midlands of England and South Wales...
.
Bickles had a short spell managing Collier Row in the Spartan League
Spartan League
The Spartan League was an English football league covering London and adjacent counties.Formed in 1907, the league was along with the Isthmian League and the Athenian League, one of the strong amateur competitions in the South, with three clubs reaching the FA Amateur Cup semi-finals...
in the 1980s. Leaving football Bickles took up teaching in East Ham
East Ham
East Ham is a suburban district of London, England, and part of the London Borough of Newham. It is a built-up district located 8 miles east-northeast of Charing Cross...
where, as a PE
Physical education
Physical education or gymnastics is a course taken during primary and secondary education that encourages psychomotor learning in a play or movement exploration setting....
teacher, he spotted Lee Hodges
Lee Hodges (footballer born 1978)
Lee Hodges is an English footballer who is unattached. A midfielder, Hodges began his career with West Ham United, and went on to play for eight other league clubs, before dropping into non-league football in 2005....
playing and recommended him to The Hammers.
In the 1990s he was invited by West Ham youth coach Tony Carr
Tony Carr
Anthony Carr MBE is an English sports coach, the current Director of Youth Development at the West Ham United football club's youth academy and is recognised as one of the most influential figures in English football. A former graduate of the academy himself, whose footballing career was cut short...
, with whom he had played in the 1960s, to join the coaching staff.
Ill health struck Bickles in 1997 when he was diagnosed with kidney cancer
Kidney cancer
Kidney cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the cells in the kidney.The two most common types of kidney cancer are renal cell carcinoma and urothelial cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis...
; the cause of his death on 1 November 1999.
A few days later, on 4 November 1999, before a UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
game against Steaua Bucharest a minute's silence was held for Bickles and fellow West Ham player Johnny Byrne
Johnny Byrne (footballer)
John Joseph "Budgie" Byrne was an English professional football player.Johnny started his career playing for Epsom Town, and then Guildford City Youth, before moving to Football League club Crystal Palace, signing a professional contract on his 17th birthday...
who had also recently died.