"Better known as a lacrosse player, is a splendid dribbler, very speedy on the ball, makes most determined rushes and is very hard to stop, makes good use of his strength and speed and never seems to weary." Name: Alexander Harrison Dill
Born: 27 June 1863, Ballymoney
Died: 10 July 1933, Ballymoney
Height:
Weight:
Position: Forward
Representative Honours: Ireland: 9 Full Caps/1 Goal (1882-1885); UK Lacrosse team.
Club Honours: (with Cliftonville) Irish Cup Winner 1882/83; Charity Cup Winner 1883/84, Runner-up 1884/85.
Club Career:
Teams
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Seasons
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Signed
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Fee
|
League
|
FA Cup
|
Other
|
Knock
|
79/80-81/82
|
-
|
-
|
0(0)/0
|
-
|
-
|
Cliftonville
|
79/80
|
-
|
-
|
0(0)/0
|
-
|
-
|
Down
Athletic
|
82/83
|
-
|
-
|
0(0)/0
|
-
|
-
|
Cliftonville
|
82/83-84/85
|
-
|
-
|
0(0)/0
|
-
|
-
|
TOTALS
|
-
|
£-
|
0(0)/0
|
-
|
-
|
|
Biography:
While attending the Belfast Royal Academical Institution Alex Dill developed into a "very smart" quarter-back at Rugby and played regularly for the UK Lacrosse team. In 1879 he took up Association Football with Knock and also turned out occasionally with Cliftonville. His performance for Knock against Scottish side, Albion in February 1880 was accorded "special notice" in the Northern Whig.
He was unable to play in the trial match on the 11th February 1882 from which the Irish Football Association selected a team to represent Ireland against England and Wales. However, his prowess was well-known and he was still selected and played in both matches.
Through the 1882/83 season Dill played a few matches with Down Athletic before moving to Cliftonville in March 1883 in time to gain an Irish Cup winner's medal as Ulster were defeated 5-0 at Bloomfield, Belfast.
Alex Dill's appearance in nine of Ireland's first ten international outings briefly left him with the honour of most capped player. He remained with the Irish FA in an administrative capacity and became Chairman in December 1888.
Dill entered the ministry and was ordained as minister of First Ballymoney Presbyterian Church in March 1890. The Rev. A.H. Dill served his hometown congregation until his death in 1933. He was married to Georgina, the sister of Jack Sinclair, a teammate for both Knock and Ireland.Ireland Cap Details:
18-02-1882 England. H L 0-13 FR
25-02-1882 Wales... A L 1- 7 FR
17-03-1883 Wales... H D 1- 1 FR
26-01-1884 Scotland H L 0- 5 BC
09-02-1884 Wales... A L 0- 6 BC
23-02-1884 England. H L 1- 8 BC
28-02-1885 England. A L 0- 4 BC
14-03-1885 Scotland A L 2- 8 BC
11-04-1885 Wales... H L 2- 8 BC 1 Goal
Summary: 9/1. Won 0, Drew 1, Lost 8.
By George Glass. Additional information from Cris Freddi.
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