After plying his trade for Airdrieonians as a youngster, 22-year-old John Dick joined Arsenal as one of George Elcoat’s many Scottish signings in 1898.
He made his debut as a centre-half on the first day of the 1898/99 season against Luton Town and went on to play all but four games in his first campaign at the Club.
Although goal scoring was not his forte, John grabbed a brace in the Gunners’ 12-0 victory over Loughborough on March 12, 1900, which remains Arsenal’s biggest home league win.
His tireless work-rate meant that the Scotsman was near ever-present in Arsenal’s promotion to the first Divison in 1904 although the arrival of Percy Sands meant that Dick was being utilised mainly as a right-half by then.
During the 1904/05 season, John became one of the first Arsenal players to reach 200 games for the Club, and also enjoyed a stint as captain.
In total he played 284 games, scoring 13 goals, in his 14-year spell before moving to Prague to begin his coaching career.
John Dick
