Career
Dickinson holds the record for number of league appearances for Portsmouth (764). Only Swindon Town"s John Trollope (770) has made more appearances for a single club His performances earned him a call-up to the England national football team
During his record 845 club appearances for Pompey and his 48 England caps he was never once booked or sent off, earning him the nickname Gentleman Jim.
Awarded the Administration Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1964, he played his last match for Pompey a year later, helping Pompey to a 1–1 end-of-season draw at Northampton Town that secured safety from relegation. And when he retired from playing, his association with the club continued.
He served Pompey as public relations officer and then secretary before accepting the position of manager in May 1977. Relegation from the Third Division was avoided, but the next year Pompey dropped down a league.
After three heart attacks, Dickinson died aged 57 in 1982.
The famous "Pompey Chimes" rang hauntingly around Street Mary"s Church in Fratton at a packed memorial service. He is buried in Alton Cemetery. In 1998 he was included on the list of 100 Legends produced to celebrate the centenary of the Football League.
Dickinson"s image can be seen in the seating in the Fratton End stand in Fratton Park.
In his home town of Alton there is a public named The Gentleman Jim and Dickinson Road in Portsmouth was named in his honour.
