Dickie Downs played for Barnsley between 1909 and 1912 and was a member of the team who contested the 1910 FA Cup Final against Newcastle but lost after forcing a replay. He won a FA Cup winners medal in 1912 when Barnsley beat West Bromwich Albion in another replay after the first match ended goalless. The Manchester Guardian, when reporting on both 1912 matches, selected him as one of the better players on the pitch.