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Geoff Hickson

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Geoff Hickson

1939 – 2026 · aged 87 · Footballer (goalkeeper)

“Crewe's own goalkeeper, a promotion winner at Gresty Road in 1963.”

Portrait: Nantwich Town FC archive (DABBERSarchive)

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Geoff Hickson was an English football goalkeeper from Crewe who played in the Football League for Stoke City, Crewe Alexandra, Port Vale and Southport. He is best remembered at Gresty Road as the regular goalkeeper in the Crewe Alexandra side that won promotion from the Fourth Division in 1962 to…

Geoff Hickson was an English football goalkeeper from Crewe who played in the Football League for Stoke City, Crewe Alexandra, Port Vale and Southport. He is best remembered at Gresty Road as the regular goalkeeper in the Crewe Alexandra side that won promotion from the Fourth Division in 1962 to 1963. He died in early October 2026, aged 87.

Born George Geoffrey Hickson in Crewe on 26 September 1939, he kept goal for Crewe at youth level and played as an amateur for Coventry City, Liverpool and Blackburn Rovers. While on Blackburn's books he trained with Nantwich Town and made five Mid-Cheshire League appearances for them late in the 1956 to 1957 season, making his debut in a 3-2 home win over Knutsford on 30 March 1957. He signed for Middlewich Athletic in May 1957, but went on trial with Stoke City that August and joined the Potters without playing a game for Middlewich.

Hickson turned professional at Stoke in 1959. When the long-serving Bill Robertson was injured during the 1959 to 1960 season, he was brought in as cover and played ten Second Division matches between December and March, before Tommy Younger took over. He made one more appearance for Stoke, on the final day of the 1960 to 1961 season, in a 3-1 win over Liverpool at the Victoria Ground.

In 1962 he joined his hometown club, Crewe Alexandra. He played 43 of the club's 46 league games in 1962 to 1963 as Jimmy McGuigan's side won promotion to the Third Division, and featured 30 times the following season as Crewe were relegated straight back. He lost his place under new manager Ernie Tagg and appeared only occasionally after that, making 112 appearances for the club in all competitions.

In August 1968 he was loaned to Port Vale, who needed cover for the injured Stuart Sharratt. Described at the time as a part-time, pipe-smoking civil servant, he played 17 league games for Vale before Crewe recalled him in November. He then played three Third Division games for Southport and had a loan spell at Shrewsbury Town without making an appearance. He later emigrated to South Africa and kept goal for Cape Town City in 1969.

Hickson was one of only six post-war players to have played for Stoke City, Port Vale and Crewe Alexandra. Crewe Alexandra announced his death on 2 October 2026, remembering him as a member of their promotion-winning team.

Biography adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0), Nantwich Town FC archive (DABBERSarchive) and Crewe Alexandra FC (October 2026). Wikipedia ↗

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Geoff Hickson as a young goalkeeper
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Nantwich Town FC archive (DABBERSarchive)

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43 games in that 62-63 season. Didn't know the name till today.

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6 people are remembering Geoff here. Every candle here is someone saying they were glad Geoff lived. No account needed; it takes a moment and it stays here.

No account needed.
Claire Ruiz🇮🇪4h ago
Pilar Santiago🇺🇸4h ago
Riya Jain🇺🇸6h ago
Gail Moore🇺🇸6h ago

Early life

George Geoffrey Hickson was born in Crewe, Cheshire, on 26 September 1939. He kept goal for Crewe at youth level and had amateur spells with Coventry City, Liverpool and Blackburn Rovers as a teenager. While registered with Blackburn he trained with Nantwich Town and played five Mid-Cheshire League games for them in spring 1957.

George Geoffrey Hickson was born in Crewe, Cheshire, on 26 September 1939. He kept goal for Crewe at youth level and had amateur spells with Coventry City, Liverpool and Blackburn Rovers as a teenager. While registered with Blackburn he trained with Nantwich Town and played five Mid-Cheshire League games for them in spring 1957.

Career

After signing for Middlewich Athletic in May 1957, Hickson went on trial with Stoke City that August and joined them on amateur terms. He turned professional in 1959 and played ten Second Division games in 1959 to 1960 as cover for the injured Bill Robertson, plus one more on the last day of the 1960 to 1961 season, a 3-1…

After signing for Middlewich Athletic in May 1957, Hickson went on trial with Stoke City that August and joined them on amateur terms. He turned professional in 1959 and played ten Second Division games in 1959 to 1960 as cover for the injured Bill Robertson, plus one more on the last day of the 1960 to 1961 season, a 3-1 win over Liverpool.

He joined Crewe Alexandra in 1962 and was first choice as the club won promotion from the Fourth Division in 1962 to 1963, playing 43 of 46 league games. He played 30 times the next season as Crewe went back down, then lost his place under Ernie Tagg. In total he made 105 league and 112 competitive appearances for Crewe.

In 1968 he played 17 league games on loan at Port Vale, followed by three Third Division games for Southport and a loan at Shrewsbury Town. He finished his playing days in South Africa with Cape Town City in 1969.

Personal life

During his spell at Port Vale in 1968, Hickson was described as a part-time, pipe-smoking civil servant, combining football with other work as many lower-league players of the era did. He later emigrated to South Africa. Further details of his family life were not given in published reports.

During his spell at Port Vale in 1968, Hickson was described as a part-time, pipe-smoking civil servant, combining football with other work as many lower-league players of the era did. He later emigrated to South Africa. Further details of his family life were not given in published reports.

Death

Crewe Alexandra announced on 2 October 2026 that Geoff Hickson had died, aged 87. The exact date and place of death and the cause were not made public. Supporters of his former clubs, including Port Vale fans, marked his passing.

Crewe Alexandra announced on 2 October 2026 that Geoff Hickson had died, aged 87. The exact date and place of death and the cause were not made public. Supporters of his former clubs, including Port Vale fans, marked his passing.

Legacy

Hickson is remembered as a Crewe-born goalkeeper who helped his hometown club to promotion in 1963. He is one of only six post-war players to have represented both Potteries clubs, Stoke City and Port Vale, as well as Crewe Alexandra.

Hickson is remembered as a Crewe-born goalkeeper who helped his hometown club to promotion in 1963. He is one of only six post-war players to have represented both Potteries clubs, Stoke City and Port Vale, as well as Crewe Alexandra.

Questions people ask about Geoff

Who was Geoff Hickson?
Geoff Hickson was an English goalkeeper from Crewe who played in the Football League for Stoke City, Crewe Alexandra, Port Vale and Southport. He was Crewe's regular keeper when they won promotion from the Fourth Division in 1962 to 1963.
When did Geoff Hickson die?
Crewe Alexandra announced his death on 2 October 2026. He was 87.
How did Geoff Hickson die?
The cause of death was not made public.
How many games did Geoff Hickson play for Crewe?
He made 105 league appearances and 112 in all competitions for Crewe Alexandra between 1962 and 1968.

Written by People Forever from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) and the reporting cited. Updated . Spotted a mistake? Tell us.

Timeline

  1. 26 September 1939
    Born in Crewe, Cheshire, England
  2. 26 September 1939
    Born in Crewe
  3. 1 January 1957
    Joins Stoke City; turns professional in 1959
  4. 30 March 1957
    Debut for Nantwich Town while an amateur with Blackburn Rovers
  5. 1 January 1962
    Joins hometown club Crewe Alexandra
  6. 1 January 1963
    Wins promotion from the Fourth Division with Crewe
  7. 1 January 1968
    Loan at Port Vale, then joins Southport
  8. 1 January 1969
    Plays for Cape Town City in South Africa
  9. 2 October 2026
    Death announced by Crewe Alexandra, aged 87
  10. 2 October 2026
    Died
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