A book has been penned about the life and career of PNE cult hero Alex Dawson, with all profits raised from its sales to be donated to the Sporting Memories Foundation.
The Trust’s lead Sporting Memories volunteer and club statistician Martin Atherton is one of three co-authors of the book, alongside John Kay – also heavily involved in the Sporting Memories programme, both with PNECET and the Chorley FC Foundation – and sports author Roy Cavanagh MBE.
Alex Dawson began his career with Manchester United, having come through the Red Devils’ youth ranks as one of the ‘Busby Babes’, before making the switch to Deepdale in October 1961, where he went on to score 132 goals in 237 appearances.
The ‘Black Prince’, as he became affectionately known among the Lilywhites’ fanbase, sadly passed away in July last year, having lived with Dementia in his latter years.
Preston North End Community and Education Trust recently celebrated two years of delivering the Sporting Memories programme, which supports those living with dementia, depression and loneliness and their carers.
Sporting Memories, a registered charity (No. 1154474), has been delivered online by PNECET since the start of the pandemic last year, with all welcome to join to engage in sporting chat and reminiscence about their memories of sport through the Trust.
As the lead volunteer for the Sporting Memories programme with PNECET, Martin explained why the book’s profits will go back into supporting the charity.
He said: “The book originated from a talk by renowned Manchester United author Roy Cavanagh to the Leyland Sporting Memories group.
“John Kay was present and mentioned his hero Alex Dawson to Roy and the idea for the book was born, and I was brought in due to my historical records of PNE.
“All three of us agreed the most appropriate place for any profits would be to support the work of the Sporting Memories Foundation.”
The book includes the personal recollections of the authors watching Alex play and a season-by-season breakdown of his time at Old Trafford and Deepdale, as well as considering his twilight years with Bury, Brighton and Brentford, featuring memories from supporters of all the clubs whom Alex represented.
Lavishly illustrated, the book will appeal to all who remember Alex as one of football’s last traditional centre-forwards, or have ever wondered why the Busby Babe who became Deepdale’s Black Prince is still so revered years after his career ended.
Retailing at £10, the book is available from Sporting Memories clubs in Lancashire or via email by contacting alexdawsonbook@gmail.com.