Former footballer Gordon Dyas dies aged 75

A former Hednesford Town footballer who played for the club in the 1950s has died aged 75.

Gordon Dyas, who was known by the nickname of Joby, also played for Walsall, who were then in the old Third Division.

He made 12 league appearances between June 1955 and June 1956, and one in the FA?Cup.

He was born in Hednesford in May 1936 and lived in retirement just a few yards away from his birthplace with his wife Doreen until his death late last month.

As a youngster he attended West Hill Boys' School and Littleworth Senior Boys' School and began his working life as a plasterer's labourer, then a bricklayer, before signing for Hednesford in 1953. One of his tutors at Littleworth had been Hednesford legend and recently retired former Aston Villa hero Jack Martin.

After 46 appearances, Joby transferred to Walsall before joining non-league Burton, Brierley Hill, Halesowen and then returning to Hednesford for a three-year stay.

Joby was said to be equally at home in either of the wing half positions and had played alongside three other future league footballers in his first spell at Hednesford –

Gordon Westley, Norman Lawson and Gordon Lee. Hednesford Town club historian Dave Shaw said: "Joby was a powerful little wing-half and his play was reminiscent to that of Manchester United's Nobby Stiles.

"However, Joby was a stone or so heavier and much, much quicker.

"I remember watching him play on the old Cross Keys ground in the late 1950s when he overtook and dumped an opposing player in the stand, for the umpteenth time and, as the match official approached, Joby pleaded 'Don't send me off ref, I'll play on the wing'!"

Joby went on to coach at lower league Rugeley Villa and Brocton before concentrating full-time on his day job in the building trade.