The Enduring Defender
An in-depth analysis of Craig Dawson's professional football career, from grassroots beginnings to Premier League prominence and international representation.
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Personal Profile
Biographical Details
Craig Dawson, born on May 6, 1990, in Rochdale, England, has established himself as a formidable presence in professional football. Primarily operating as a centre-back, his career trajectory reflects a journey marked by consistent performance and adaptability across various leagues.
His full name is Craig Dawson, and as of 2025, he is 35 years old.
Beyond the Pitch
Before dedicating himself fully to professional football, Dawson showcased his athletic versatility in another sport. He played cricket for Rochdale Cricket Club, excelling as a batsman. His talent was recognized with trials for the prestigious Lancashire County Cricket Club, highlighting a broader sporting aptitude prior to his footballing ascent.
Early Career & Development
Grassroots Beginnings
Dawson's football journey commenced at the youth club Heywood St James, followed by a stint at Rochdale St Clements. At the age of 16, while working as a glass collector in a local pub in Rochdale, he was scouted by Bernard Manning Jr., the chairman of Radcliffe Borough F.C. This unexpected encounter led to his debut for Radcliffe Borough during the 2007โ08 season in a match against Salford City.
Rapid Ascent at Radcliffe
Following a brief loan spell at Flixton, Dawson quickly cemented his position as a first-team regular at Radcliffe Borough. Over two seasons, he made an impressive 95 appearances, scoring 15 goals. His impactful contributions earned him the Player of the Season award at Radcliffe in his final year with the club. In 2017, his significant influence was further recognized when he was ranked 14th in the Northern Premier League's Greatest 100 Players for the league's 50th Anniversary.
Senior Club Career
Rochdale: A Local Hero
In February 2009, Dawson signed a two-year contract with his hometown club, Rochdale, for a fee of ยฃ12,000, despite a higher bid from Crewe Alexandra. He remained on loan at Radcliffe until the end of the season. His debut for Rochdale's reserves saw him score a header against Manchester City. His official first-team debut for Rochdale came on August 8, 2009, in a League Two match against Port Vale. He was notably named Man of the Match in a League Cup game against Sheffield Wednesday. During the 2009โ10 season, he scored 10 goals across all competitions and was recognized with a place in the League Two PFA Team of the Year.
West Bromwich Albion Era
Dawson joined Premier League club West Bromwich Albion on August 31, 2010, signing a three-year contract. His competitive debut for the Baggies was in August 2011 in a League Cup victory against AFC Bournemouth, which also led to his call-up to the England U21 squad. He secured new contracts in July 2011 and February 2012. His Premier League debut as a starter occurred in September 2011 against Swansea City. He scored his first Premier League goal for West Brom in a 4โ0 win against Burnley in September 2014, followed by another against West Ham United in December 2014. Under manager Tony Pulis, Dawson became a regular starter, contributing to the team's Premier League survival. He continued to score crucial goals, including an equalizer against Liverpool in December 2015 and two headers against Arsenal in March 2017, earning him Man of the Match honors. After West Brom's relegation in the 2017โ18 season, he submitted a transfer request.
Loan Spells: Bolton & Rochdale
During his tenure at West Brom, Dawson had two significant loan periods. Immediately after signing with West Brom, he was loaned back to Rochdale for the remainder of the 2010โ11 season. In January 2013, he joined Championship club Bolton Wanderers on loan, despite interest from several other clubs. At Bolton, he demonstrated his goal-scoring ability as a defender, netting twice against Hull City, and scoring winning goals against Peterborough United and Barnsley in quick succession.
Watford & West Ham Chapters
On July 1, 2019, Dawson moved to Premier League club Watford on a four-year contract. He scored his first goal for Watford with an overhead kick against Leicester City in June 2020. After Watford's relegation in the 2019โ20 season and a change in management, his playing time became limited. In October 2020, he joined West Ham United on a season-long loan, making an immediate impact with a Man of the Match performance on his debut against Southampton in December 2020. He scored his first FA Cup goal for West Ham against Stockport County in January 2021 and his first Premier League goal for the club against Crystal Palace later that month. West Ham made his transfer permanent in April 2021. Following a long-term injury to Angelo Ogbonna in November 2021, Dawson stepped up as a regular centre-back, scoring a stoppage-time equalizer against Leicester City in February 2022 and his fiftieth professional goal against Newcastle United. His exceptional performances in West Ham's 2021โ22 UEFA Europa League campaign, including a goal against Lyon, earned him cult status among fans, who affectionately dubbed him "Ballon D'awson." He was later named in the Europa League Team of the Season and received a winner's medal for West Ham's 2023 UEFA Europa Conference League victory, despite having left the club earlier that year.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Craig Dawson signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with Wolverhampton Wanderers on January 22, 2023. He made an impressive debut, scoring his first goal for Wolves in a 3โ0 home win against Liverpool on February 4, 2023. In September 2023, he received particular commendation for his defensive prowess in a 2โ1 victory over reigning champions Manchester City, where he effectively neutralized Erling Haaland, limiting him to just fifteen touches during the game. He scored his second goal for Wolves in the final match of 2023, a 3โ0 win against Everton. However, December 2024 saw a challenging match where he scored two own goals in a 4โ0 loss to Everton, becoming only the fifth player in Premier League history to do so. Subsequently, he fell out of favor under new manager Vรญtor Pereira, was excluded from the registered squad, and entered discussions to terminate his contract, though this did not materialize. Wolves officially announced his departure from the club on June 6, 2025, upon the expiry of his contract.
International Representation
England Under-21s
Dawson made a memorable debut for the England Under-21 national team on September 1, 2011, scoring two goals against Azerbaijan. Throughout his time with the U21 squad, he played 15 matches and netted a total of six goals, showcasing his ability to contribute offensively from a defensive position on the international stage.
Great Britain Olympic Team
In a significant career highlight, Craig Dawson was selected by Stuart Pearce for the Great Britain Olympic football team for the 2012 Summer Olympics on July 2, 2012. He featured in the team's 1โ0 victory over Uruguay, coming on as a late substitute. His Olympic journey also included an appearance in the quarter-final match against South Korea, where he was substituted in for an injured Micah Richards and notably scored in the penalty shoot-out.
Career Statistics
Detailed Match Records
Craig Dawson's professional career spans numerous clubs and competitions, demonstrating his longevity and consistent performance. The table below provides a comprehensive overview of his appearances and goals across domestic leagues, FA Cup, League Cup, and other significant competitions, as of December 29, 2024.
Achievements & Accolades
Club Triumphs
Throughout his career, Craig Dawson has contributed to several significant club achievements:
- Radcliffe Borough: Manchester Premier Cup (2007โ08)
- Rochdale: Football League Two promotion (2009โ10)
- West Ham United: UEFA Europa Conference League (2022โ23)
Individual Recognition
Dawson's consistent performance has also earned him notable individual honors:
- UEFA Europa League Team of the Season: 2021โ22
- PFA Team of the Year: 2009โ10 Football League Two
- Football League Two Player of the Year: 2009โ10
- Northern Premier League's Greatest XI: 1978โ2018
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References
References
- Appearances in Championship play-offs
- Appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League
- "Bolton 1รขยย0 Peterborough" BBC Sport. 26 February 2013. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
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Important Notice
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