Dawes began his youth career with Aldershot and, in 1929, signed for Northampton Town, where his older brother Albert was also a player. Between then and 1936, Dawes made 162 League appearances for the club, scoring once.
In February 1936,[3] Dawes signed for Crystal Palace, once again re-joining his older brother who had moved to Palace in 1933,[3] and immediately established himself in the side being ever-present for the remainder of that season and throughout the 1936–37 season.[4] Dawes went on to make a total of 223[3]Football League appearances for Palace before being forced to retire as a player, through injury, during the 1949–50 season.[5] Dawes career was notable in that he completed a century of appearances for Crystal Palace either side of World War II.[6]
Managerial career
After retiring as a player, Dawes was appointed as assistant to then Crystal Palace manager Ronnie Rooke.[5] Despite a reasonably successful 1949–50 season and a number of close-season signings, the club had a very poor start to the 1950–51 season. In November 1950, Rooke was relieved of his position and Dawes was appointed as joint-manager, together with chief scoutCharlie Slade.[7] However, the partnership was unable to improve upon the season start and the club had to seek re-election in 1951.[5] The 1951–52 season also began poorly and Dawes and Slade were dismissed in October.[5][6]
Later career
Dawes was reinstated as an amateur by the Football Association after leaving Crystal Palace[5] and went on to play for Beckenham Town. After leaving football altogether, Dawes became a shopkeeper.[5]
He managed Croydon Amateurs FC in their first two seasons, 1953–54 and 1954–55, taking them to the Surrey Senior League Cup and Charity Cup Finals in that inaugural season. After a poor second campaign, he resigned when Chelsea's John Harris was appointed coach without his knowledge.
Fred Dawes died on 12 August 1989 in Shirley, Surrey, aged 78.[6]