Twenty One year old Kevin Dawson is one of three brothers currently earning a living as professional footballers, all three of the Northallerton born siblings started with Nottingham Forest, younger brother Michael (18) is currently at the City Ground, he made his first League start in April of this year whilst twenty three year old Andrew has been a regular (over 150 League games) for Scunthorpe United since joining them from Forest in a £50,000 deal.

Kevin, a tough central defender, signed as a pro at Forest in the summer of 1998 when Dave Bassett was Manager and in his first season as a junior pro Forest were relegated into Division One. Kevin made his debut in December 1999, his Club had won just 1 of the previous 9 League games and were struggling in 19th place in Division One. A crowd of 14,250 at the City Ground saw the then 18 year old play all 90 minutes in a goalless draw with Fulham, his colleagues included Chris Bart-Williams, Ricardo Scimeca, Dougie Freedman and Dave Beasant. His attacking opponents were the tough Geoff Horsfield and the tricky Paul Peschisolido, so keeping a clean sheet was quite an achievement.

Three more League starts that season for Kev, a win over Birmingham (1-0) plus bad losses at Charlton (0-3) and Grimsby (3-4) as well as three subs games plus a memorable FA Cup 90 minutes, a third round replay at Oxford United, The U's were 1-0 up with over 80 minutes played but three late goals put the Nottingham side through for a tie with Chelsea.  

Season 2000-01 saw Matt Jansen, David Dunn and Nathan Blake score in a 3-0 win for Blackburn Rovers in young Dawson's only game of the campaign for Forest (by then managed by David Platt) but in the Spring of that season he gained invaluable experience on loan at Barnet, who at the time he joined (9th March 2001) were dropping like a stone towards the Conference. Kevin played five games in his spell, one win and four defeats, the victory being over Southend United (2-1) but he also played in the "disaster" match, a 3-0 loss at Halifax Town who, at the end of the season, finished just two points above the Bees to secure League safety, albeit only for an additional year.

Ex Spireites boss Paul Hart took over the reigns at cash strapped Forest in the summer of last year and he gave Kevin three starts in March this year, a 2-2 home draw with Wolves, at that time seeming certainties for the step up, a goalless draw, also at home, with Wimbledon and his last game in Forest colours was a 3-1 loss at this season's surprise starters Gillingham, it was 1-1 until after the 80th minute then the Kent side grabbed two late goals.

Chesterfield Manager Dave Rushbury, who was brought to Saltergate by Forest boss Paul Hart when he was here, was seeking a strong, youthful defender in the mould of our last ex Forest youngster Sean Dyche or indeed another former City Ground stopper Steve Blatherwick, he contacted Hart and the result was the acquisition of Kevin Dawson, who during our pre season build up looked to be a good signing.

For 88 minutes Kevin and co looked the business at QPR on his debut, then two late goals (a familiar tale in Kev's short League career!) spoiled our start to this season, the entire defence was criticised after the home loss against Swindon Town but Dawson, Howson & Payne looked solid against Port Vale 10 days ago with Kevin in particular in fine fettle, he must have been only a whisker behind Chris Brandon in the man of the match stakes.