Meshach Dean was an early footballer.

Playing career

Dean joined Burslem Port Vale

Port Vale F.C.

Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...

 in 1890; he soon became a regular and helped the team win numerous cups, becoming the top scorer for the 1892–93 Football League

1892–93 Burslem Port Vale F.C. season

The 1892–93 season was Burslem Port Vale's first season of football in the Football League. The club were founding members of the Football League Second Division, the First Division having been in operation for four seasons prior to 1892–93...

 season with 6 competitive goals. He was an ever-present during the 1893–94

1893–94 Burslem Port Vale F.C. season

The 1893–94 season was Burslem Port Vale's second consecutive season of football in the Football League. Winning their opening seven league games, Vale seemed destined for First Division football, however they won just six of their final 22 games and ended up in mid-table...

 season and was top scorer again in the 1894–95

1894–95 Burslem Port Vale F.C. season

The 1894–95 season was Burslem Port Vale's third consecutive season of football in the Football League. The progress of the previous season was lost, as 19 of the 30 league games ended in defeat. Only nearby Crewe Alexandra finished below the Vale, however only Walsall Town Swifts failed to gain...

 season where he bagged 8 goals. However, he lost his place in September 1895 and was probably released at the close of the 1895–96

1895–96 Burslem Port Vale F.C. season

The 1895–96 season was Burslem Port Vale's fourth consecutive season of football in the Football League. Another poor season struggling at the wrong end of the table, this time they failed to gain re-election; two seasons in the Midlands League followed, and despite a finish of 7th and then 5th...

season having played 151 games (75 in the football league) and scored 42 goals (21 in the football league) for the club.

Honours

• North Staffordshire Charity Challenge Cup winner: 1891
• Staffordshire Charity Cup winner: 1892