[3] In June 2011, Dawson signed his first professional contract with Premier League side Wigan Athletic, a one-year deal, following a successful trial.
In August 2012, he joined Football League Two side Accrington Stanley on loan along with Ryan Watson.
[4] Dawson made his professional debut for the club in a 1–0 defeat to Carlisle United in the Football League Cup, coming on as a substitute for Luke Clark.
Dawson went on to make nine appearances scoring 1 goal for Barrow but he couldn't stop the side from relegation to the Conference North at the end of the season.
[11] In July 2013, Dawson joined NWCFL First Division side Nelson after turning down a contract from Barrow.
[11] He also spent time training with Scottish Championship side Dundee, but a move was scuppered due to a registration issue.
[16] He made his debut on 9 August 2014 during County's 1–1 opening day draw with Preston North End, replacing Garry Thompson in the 35th minute.
[17] Dawson returned to Leicester City at end of months loan at Notts County, making 3 appearances in all competitions.
On 3 October 2014, Dawson joined Conference Premier side Nuneaton Town on a monthlong loan deal, heading straight into the squad for their fixture against Lincoln the next day, where Dawson had a debut to remember, scoring from 30 yards to give Nuneaton a 2–1 win.
[18][19] On 27 November 2014, Dawson re-joined Nuneaton Town for a second loan spell with the Conference Premier side, joining up with fellow Leicester City loanees, Simonas Stankevičius and Marcel Barrington.
On 31 July 2015, Dawson signed a one-year contract with Kidderminster Harriers after impressing during pre season, including a goal in a 1–1 draw against Birmingham City.
Dawson signed for National League club Eastleigh on a one-year deal in June 2016, but left on 7 November of the same year to return north to be with his pregnant wife.
On 23 November 2017, after making just 4 senior appearances for Rovers since resigning, Dawson had his contract cancelled by mutual consent.