Another of football’s wanderers, Dick Wombwell was playing for Ilkeston Town in the Midland League when he signed for Derby County in May 1899. Partnering the immortal Steve Bloomer on the right wing, the Nottingham born forward had 85 outings in the “Rams’ First Division side before transferring to Bristol City (where his team-mates included future Albion players Albert Fisher and Mickey Good) in August 1902.
After almost three seasons with City, Dick signed for Manchester United in March 1905 and was member of the side which won promotion to the First Division in 1905-06, but, following drastic changes in the playing staff during the following season, he moved north of the border in January 1907 for a fee of well over £500 to play for Heart of Midlothian. In a short stay in Edinburgh he appeared in the team beaten 3-0 by Celtic in the Scottish Cup final of 1907, his partner on the left wing being former Albion player Billy Yates.
Dick arrived at the Goldstone in the summer of 1907 and produced some outstanding performances, particularly in the memorable F.A. Cup run which saw Albion beat First Division Preston North End and take Liverpool to a replay. In February 1908, just two weeks after the second Liverpool match, First Division Blackburn Rovers signed him along with Joe Lumley and their main target, Walter Anthony, but his career turned full circle a year later when he returned to Ilkeston.
A provider rather than a goalscorer, Dick netted 44 goals in his career total of 268 League appearances.