Former Manchester United striker and Busby Babe, Alex Dawson, dies aged 80, club confirm

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Former Manchester United and Preston striker Alex Dawson has died aged 80
The Scot featured for United under Matt Busby before joining Preston in 1961
Dawson scored 212 goals in 394 career appearances in a stellar career

Published: 09:02 EDT, 17 July 2020 | Updated: 09:24 EDT, 17 July 2020

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Former Manchester United star and Busby Babe, Alex Dawson, has passed away at the age of 80.

The club confirmed on Friday that the striker, who played at Old Trafford for four seasons, has died.

'Our deepest sympathies are with the loved ones of former United forward and Busby Babe, Alex Dawson, who has sadly passed away at the age of 80.

Manchester United have confirmed that former striker Alex Dawson has died aged 80

Dawson (second left) played for United under legendary coach Matt Busby in the 1950s

United confirmed on Friday that their former striker (left) had passed away at the age of 80

'He will be fondly remembered by all of us at the club. May he rest in peace,' the Premier League side tweeted.

Born in Aberdeen, Scotland in 1940, Dawson came through the United set up as a trainee under iconic manager Matt Busby in the mid-1950s. Busby handed him his league debut as a 17-year-old on 22 April 1957 where he netted in a 2-0 win over Burnley.

Dawson didn't feature often in the first half of the 1957-58 campaign. The striker featured more prominently after the Munich disaster struck in February 1958 and eight United players tragically lost their lives due to the air crash.

Dawson scored 54 goals for United before joining Preston North End in 1961

Dawson was a key member of United's squad following the tragic Munich aircrash in 1958. He is pictured here with the team 18 months after the disaster

Dawson (pictured, right) sat with Matt Busby and team-mates before the 1959 FA Cup final

The Scot scored on the club's first game after the crash, during a 3-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup. Dawson was a regular figure in the side towards the end of the season and bagged a hat trick in the FA Cup semi final over Fulham.

Dawson was in and out of the side for the following three campaigns, and he scored a commendable 20 goals in all competitions in 1960-61.

Having scored 54 goals in all competitions for United, Dawson left for Preston North End, where he earned the nickname the 'Black Prince of Deepdale'. He scored 114 goals in 197 games for the club.

Spells at Bury, Brighton, Brentford and Corby followed before Dawson hung up his boots in 1973, with 212 goals from 394 career appearances.

More to follow.