Richard (Dickie) Bond

Richard (Dickie) Bond was born at Garstang, on 14th December, 1883. He played football for the Royal Field Artillery before joining Preston North End in 1902. Bond made his debut in an FA Cup tie against Bishop Auckland in December 1902 and scored in the 3-1 win. He also scored in his second game against Stockport County.

Bond, a fast and direct outside right, helped Preston North End win promotion to the First Division of the Football League in his second season at the club. In the 1903-1904 season Preston won the Second Division title by winning 20, and drawing 10, of its 34 games.

On 25th February, 1905, Bond won his first international cap when he played in the England side that drew 1-1 with Ireland. The following month he was in the side that beat Wales 3-1. He failed to score in these two games but did get a couple in his next international game in the 5-0 win against Ireland in February 1906.

Bond was a member of the Preston North End side that finished second to Liverpool in the 1905-1906 season. He played a major role in this success ending up the season's top scorer with 17 goals.

Preston form over the next three seasons was disappointing: 1906-1907 (14th), 1907-1908 (12th) 1908-1909 (10th). Bond left the club in 1909. In the six seasons he had been at Preston he had scored 34 goals in 148 games.

Bond joined Bradford City, who had come close to relegation the previous season. He had an immediate impact and helped his new team to obtain 7th place in the 1909-10 season (Preston North End was 12th). Bond also featured in Bradford's 1911 FA Cup run. However, he missed the final against Newcastle United because he had been suspended for using "improper language" to the crowd at a game against Arsenal.

During the First World War Bond joined the British Army and while serving on the Western Front in France he was captured by the Germans.

After the war Bond returned to Bradford City. All told, he played for the club for twelve years and managed to score 60 goals in 301 games. He also played three more times for England during this period ending up with a total of eight caps. At the age of 39 he had one season at Blackburn Rovers (2 goals in 24 games). After that he played in non-league football with Lancaster Town and Garstang.

Richard (Dickie) Bond died in 1955.