Liam Dickinson

Liam Dickinson
Personal information
Full name Liam Michael Dickinson[1]
Date of birth (1985-10-04) 4 October 1985
Place of birth Salford, England
Height 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)[2]
Playing position Striker
Club information
Current team
 Bradford Park Avenue
Youth career
Blackpool
Bolton Wanderers
Blackburn Rovers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2002 Irlam ? (?)
2002–2003 Swinton Town ? (?)
2003–2004 Trafford 43 (11)
2004–2005 Woodley Sports 38 (9)
2005–2008 Stockport County 94 (34)
2008–2009 Derby County 0 (0)
2008 → Huddersfield Town (loan) 13 (6)
2008 → Blackpool (loan) 7 (4)
2009 → Leeds United (loan) 8 (0)
2009–2010 Brighton & Hove Albion 27 (4)
2010 → Peterborough United (loan) 9 (3)
2010–2011 Barnsley 3 (0)
2010 → Walsall (loan) 4 (0)
2011 → Rochdale (loan) 14 (0)
2011 Plymouth Argyle 0 (0)
2011–2012 Southend United 30 (10)
2013–2014 Stockport County 13 (1)
2014 Stalybridge Celtic 32 (9)
2015-2016 Guiseley 47 (8)
2016 → Bradford Park Avenue (loan) 6 (0)
2016– Bradford Park Avenue 11 (2)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 02:54, 4 October 2016 (UTC).


Liam Michael Dickinson (born 4 October 1985) is an English semi-professional footballer who plays as a striker for Bradford Park Avenue.

He began his senior career in non-league football with Irlam. He also played for Swinton Town, Trafford and Woodley Sports, before signing a professional contract with Stockport County in December 2005. He scored the winning goal in the 2008 League Two play-off final, before he won a £750,000 move to Derby County in July 2008. However he never made a first team appearance for the "Rams", and instead spent time on loan at Huddersfield Town, Blackpool, and Leeds United, before transferring to Brighton & Hove Albion in July 2009. He spent time on loan at Peterborough United, before winning a £150,000 move to Barnsley in June 2010. He never started a league game for the "Tykes", and was instead loaned out to Walsall and Rochdale, before he was allowed to join Southend United via Plymouth Argyle in July 2011.

Playing career

Early career

Dickinson began his career at Blackpool's Centre of Excellence, where he was offered a contract, but he chose instead to sign for Bolton Wanderers,[3] before joining the Blackburn Rovers academy, where he was released at sixteen before signing a full-time contract.[4][5] He then spent some time out of the game, working full-time as a graphic designer for a graphic design company[6] and playing Sunday league football, before playing in the Manchester League with Irlam FC and then Swinton Town. When he was eighteen he started playing semi-professionally when he signed for North West Counties League club Trafford after a short trial in December 2003. He made 43 appearances for the club, scoring seven goals, until a move to Woodley Sports in 2004 where, despite injury problems, he scored nine goals in 38 appearances.[5][7][8]

Dickinson later said of his early career, "Playing football on a Saturday was just an activity for me, a hobby, something you do for fun than an actual career prospect."[8] He also reflected that "If I'd scored two goals in the old days it would have been straight to the pub for sausage and chips and a pint. Now it's a bottle of water and some wine gum – it's not quite the same."[9]

Stockport County

After impressing during a trial in November 2005, Stockport County signed him for £2,000 in December.[4][5] Though he was signed by Chris Turner, he found his way into the first team under new boss Jim Gannon. He made his debut on 2 January 2006 as a 71st-minute substitute against Cheltenham Town at Edgeley Park, scoring just five minutes later in a 2–2 draw.[7][10] On 21 March 2006 he signed a contract extension with the club until July 2008.[11] His tally of seven goals in the 2005–06 season played a large part in the club's survival in League Two.

He hit seven goals in 37 games for County in the 2006–07 season. He did not score until Boxing Day in a 2–0 win over Notts County, before adding six more before the end of the season. During the 2007–08 season he had his most prolific term as a Football League player, hitting the net 21 times from 32 starts and winning Stockport's Player of the year award in the process. He got the decisive goal against Wycombe Wanderers in the second leg of the play-off semi-final at Edgeley Park on 17 May.[12] He then scored Stockport's winning goal in the play-off final against Rochdale at Wembley Stadium on 26 May, as Stockport won 3–2 and were promoted into League One.[13]

Derby County

Dickinson signed for Derby County in July 2008 for a fee of around £750,000,[14] becoming Paul Jewell's ninth signing of the 2008–09 pre-season. In order for Dickinson to gain more experience, Jewell sent him on an initial one-month loan to League One club Huddersfield Town, on 19 August 2008.[15] He made his debut in Town's 3–1 defeat by Milton Keynes Dons on 23 August. His first goal for the "Terriers" came in their 2–1 defeat by Millwall on 30 August, in which he fired in a powerful overhead kick. On 13 September, he grabbed his first goal at the Galpharm Stadium when he scored to give Town the lead against Tranmere Rovers in what finished as a 2–1 defeat. Dickinson had his loan spell extended twice by manager Stan Ternent, before returning to Pride Park on 17 November.[16][17] He said that the loan move reignited his love for the game.[18]

On 27 November 2008, Dickinson signed for Championship rivals Blackpool on loan.[19] Two days later he made a scoring debut for Blackpool, netting both of the "Seasiders" goals in their 2–1 victory over Plymouth Argyle at Home Park. His first came just three minutes after coming on as a second-half substitute for fellow loanee Steve Kabba.[20] In his full home debut for Blackpool, on 6 December, Dickinson again scored twice in the second half as the "Tangerines" beat Charlton Athletic 2–0 at Bloomfield Road.[21][22] Blackpool manager Simon Grayson said of Dickinson, "He has character and he's an honest lad. He's had a bit of a rollercoaster career but he might now have earned legend status here."[23] Two days later Dickinson was named by the Football League in the Championship "Team Of The Week".[24][25] Interviewed by Sky Sports on 12 December, Dickinson said of his meteoric rise in football, "It's only three years ago, I was paying subs on a Sunday to play football and it's changed dramatically. To be at a massive club like Derby County and on loan to a big club like Blackpool, I have to pinch myself sometimes.".[6] When Paul Jewell resigned as Derby manager on 28 December,[26] the first move by caretaker manager Chris Hutchings was to recall Dickinson from his loan spell at Blackpool. [27]

On the last day of the January 2009 transfer window Dickinson agreed to a loan move to Leeds United, where Simon Grayson was now manager, but the papers arrived at the Football League 14 minutes after the deadline. The transfer was thus void despite appeals to the Football League from Leeds.[28] Negotiations between Leeds United and Derby County for Dickinson to sign on an emergency loan for 93 days continued and he was expected to move at the end of February, however the move was put on hold because he suffered an injury.[29] He joined Leeds on loan for the rest of the season on 13 March 2009.[30] However, he failed to score a goal whilst at Elland Road as the "Whites" failed to earn promotion out of League One. On his return to Derby, Dickinson was told he was not part of the plans at Derby and that it was likely he would be allowed to move on a season-long loan.[31] On 3 July it was revealed that Dickinson was the subject of two 'small' bids from Norwich City, both of which were rejected,[32] leaving Dickinson to criticise the club for placing an 'unrealistic' valuation on him.[33]

Brighton & Hove Albion

In July 2009, Dickinson transferred to League One side Brighton & Hove Albion for £100,000, signing a three-year contract.[34] After finding first-team opportunities difficult to come by, manager Gus Poyet allowed Dickinson to sign a loan deal with Championship side Peterborough United in February 2010, in a deal lasting until the end of the season.[35][36] This move reunited him with former manager Jim Gannon. He hit three goals in nine games for the "Posh", whilst hitting six goals in 32 games for the "Seagulls". He left the Withdean Stadium the not longer after arriving back from London Road.

Barnsley

In June 2010, Dickinson transferred to Championship side Barnsley for an undisclosed fee, (thought to be in the region of £150,000) where he signed a two-year contract with an option for a third year.[37][38] He was to feature just four times at Oakwell under manager Mark Robins. On 2 November 2010, he joined League One side Walsall on an emergency one-month loan.[39] He played seven games for Chris Hutchings's "Saddlers", without finding the net.

On 6 January 2011, Liam joined Rochdale on a loan deal for the remainder of the season.[40] He went on to play 14 League One games for Keith Hill's "Dale", again without finding the net. After his loan spell at Spotland ended, Dickinson was released from his contract at Barnsley.[41]

Plymouth Argyle to Southend United

Dickinson agreed a contract with Plymouth Argyle on 5 July 2011,[42] subject to the takeover of the club being completed.[43][44] However he was released from his contract on just eight days later, citing personal reasons.[45] "Regrettably, we have agreed to a request from Liam to be released. We fully understand the reasons why," said acting chairman Peter Ridsdale, who further stated that "Liam has been a thorough professional in the short time he has been with us, and we hope that things will work out for him."[45]

In July 2011, Dickinson signed a 12-month contract with League Two side Southend United, with the option of a further year.[46] "Liam's a good size and he had a good goalscoring record in this division a few seasons ago with Stockport County," said manager Paul Sturrock. "That got him a big move to Derby but since then he's been a bit nomadic but we feel he has the attributes to be a success here."[47] Injuries and suspensions caused him to miss the start of the season,[48][49] and a broken ankle caused him to sit out the rest of the season from March onwards.[50] He was also one of three players internally disciplined by the club for an unspecified incident at a hotel; the other two players were Ryan Hall and Kane Ferdinand.[51] Despite these setbacks he still found the net 12 times in 37 games in 2011–12. Dickinson left Roots Hall at the expiry of his contract on 20 June, after the "Shrimpers" were unwilling renew his contract for a further year.[52]

He joined Port Vale for training in July 2012, with manager Micky Adams wishing to review the player's fitness before offering a contract.[53] However a permanent move to Vale Park seemed unlikely after a proposed takeover collapsed, leaving the cash-strapped club to start the upcoming season in administration.[54] He then found himself unable to play during the 2012–13 season after breaking his ankle and undergoing surgery when the break failed to heal properly.[55]

He returned to Vale Park for pre-season training in summer 2013, but after two friendly appearances Micky Adams stated that "Our interest in Liam is now finished, he has ongoing problems with his ankle. We wish him well."[56][57]

Bradford Park Avenue

While on loan at Bradford Park Avenue,[58] Dickinson played against Boston United as a goalkeeper since none of the club's goalkeepers were available for the match and club could not make an emergency loan.[59][60]

Style of play

"He's such a fantastic athlete, such a skilful forward that I don't think you can get any more in one player. He's got the height, he's got the athleticism, he's got the speed, he's got the skill, he's got the finishing and he also creates things.
— Manager Jim Gannon had a high respect for Dickinson – a respect that the player returned in kind.[61][62]

He has picked up a reputation as a "wild boy" for his late night partying – his agent, Phil Sproson, said that the reason he regularly moved from club to club was because he was "no angel".[63]

Career statistics

Club Season Division League FA Cup League Cup Other[64] Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Stockport County 2005–06[65] League Two 217000000217
2006–07[66] 337101020377
2007–08[67] 43211010304821
Total 973520205010735
Derby County 2008–09[68] Championship 0000000000
Huddersfield Town (loan) 2008–09[68] League One 136000000136
Blackpool (loan) 2008–09[68] Championship 7400000074
Leeds United (loan) 2008–09[68] League One 8000000080
Total 0000000000
Brighton & Hove Albion 2009–10[69] League One 274420100326
Peterborough United (loan) 2009–10[69] Championship 9300000093
Total 274421000326
Barnsley 2010–11[70] Championship 3000100040
Walsall (loan) 2010–11[70] League One 4030000070
Rochdale (loan) 2010–11[70] 140000000140
Total 3000100040
Southend United 2011–12[71] League Two 30103110313712
Total 30103110313712
Career total 21262123508123766
Note

Honours

Individual
with Stockport County

References

  1. ↑ "List of Players under Written Contract Transferred Between 01/07/2010 and 31/07/2010" (PDF). The Football Association. July 2010. Retrieved 2 July 2011.
  2. ↑ "Could Liam Dickinson be the real deal for Micky Adams?". The Sentinel. 28 June 2012. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  3. ↑ Canavan, Steve (2 December 2008). "I turned down Pool as kid, says goal hero". Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved 3 December 2008.
  4. 1 2 "Stockport sign striker Dickinson". BBC Sport. 22 December 2005. Retrieved 22 December 2005.
  5. 1 2 3 "Profiles – Liam Dickinson". Stockport County F.C. Retrieved 7 May 2008.
  6. 1 2 "Big League Weekend 1, 12 December". Sky Sports Big League Weekend. Season 2008–09. 12 December 2008.
  7. 1 2 "What the Dickins-on!". Up The Pool. Blackpool: Blackpool F.C. 2008–09 season (Blackpool vs Charlton Athletic): 34–37. 6 December 2008.
  8. 1 2 Canavan, Steve (8 December 2008). "Dickinson's living his football dream". Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved 9 December 2008.
  9. ↑ Charles, Chris (December 2008). "Sport quotes of the week". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  10. ↑ "Stockport 2 Cheltenham 0". Soccerbase. 2 January 2006. Archived from the original on 19 May 2007. Retrieved 9 December 2008.
  11. ↑ "Dickinson signs new Hatters deal". BBC Sport. 21 March 2006. Retrieved 21 March 2006.
  12. ↑ Whyatt, Chris (17 May 2008). "Stockport 1-0 Wycombe (agg 2-1)". BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 May 2008.
  13. ↑ "Stockport 3–2 Rochdale". BBC Sport. 26 May 2008. Retrieved 10 June 2008.
  14. ↑ "Derby swoop for Stockport striker". bbc.co.uk. 1 July 2008. Retrieved 1 July 2008.
  15. ↑ "Terriers sign Dickinson on loan". BBC Sport. 19 August 2008. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  16. ↑ "Dickinson extends Terriers stay". BBC Sport. 22 September 2008. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  17. ↑ "Terriers extend Dickinson spell". BBC Sport. 22 October 2008. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  18. ↑ "Dickinson rejuvenated by Terriers". BBC Sport. 3 October 2008. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  19. ↑ "Blackpool make two loan signings". BBC Sport. 27 November 2008. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  20. ↑ "Match Report Plymouth vs Blackpool". Blackpool F.C. 29 November 2008. Archived from the original on 14 March 2012. Retrieved 29 November 2008.
  21. ↑ "Blackpool 2–0 Charlton". BBC Sport. 6 December 2008. Retrieved 7 December 2008.
  22. ↑ Canavan, Steve (6 December 2008). "Blackpool and Dicko sink Charlton". Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved 7 December 2008.
  23. ↑ "Grayson hopes to build on Charlton win". Blackpool Gazette. 6 December 2008. Retrieved 7 December 2008.
  24. ↑ ""Dicko" named in team of the week". Blackpool F.C. 8 December 2008. Archived from the original on 11 December 2008. Retrieved 9 December 2008.
  25. ↑ "Team Of The Week (08/12/2008)" (PDF). The Football League. 8 December 2008. Retrieved 9 December 2008.
  26. ↑ "Derby County Club Statement". Derby County F.C. 28 December 2008. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
  27. ↑ "Dickinson Returns To Derby". Blackpool F.C. 30 December 2008. Archived from the original on 17 February 2012. Retrieved 30 December 2008.
  28. ↑ "Leeds miss out on Derby striker". bbc.co.uk. 3 February 2009. Retrieved 3 February 2009.
  29. ↑ "Leeds wait on injured Dickinson". bbc.co.uk. 23 February 2009. Retrieved 23 February 2009.
  30. ↑ "Leeds snap up Dickinson on loan". BBC News. 13 March 2009. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
  31. ↑ "Striker Liam in line for long loan". Derby Evening Telegraph. 19 June 2009.
  32. ↑ "Double bid for dicko rejected". therams.co.uk. 3 July 2009.
  33. ↑ "Dickinson angry with Derby". Vital Norwich City. 2 July 2009.
  34. ↑ "Brighton seal deal for Dickinson". BBC Sport. 15 July 2009. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  35. ↑ "Dickinson Departs". The Argus. 15 February 2010. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
  36. ↑ "Peterborough United sign Liam Dickinson on loan". BBC Sport. 15 February 2010. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  37. ↑ "Dickinson Makes It Four". barnsleyfc.co.uk. 30 June 2010. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011.
  38. ↑ "Barnsley sign Brighton striker Liam Dickinson". BBC Sport. 30 June 2010. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  39. ↑ "Walsall sign Liam Dickinson on loan from Barnsley". BBC Sport. 2 November 2010. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  40. ↑ "Rochdale secure Liam Dickinson on loan from Barnsley". BBC Sport. 6 January 2011. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  41. ↑ "Striker Liam Dickinson leaves Barnsley". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 14 June 2011. Retrieved 14 June 2011.
  42. ↑ "Plymouth set to sign former Barnsley man Liam Dickinson". BBC Sport. 5 July 2011. Retrieved 13 July 2011.
  43. ↑ "Plymouth Argyle set for signings spree". The Herald. 27 June 2011. Retrieved 13 July 2011.
  44. ↑ "Dickinson plans to revive career at Pilgrims". The Herald. 6 July 2011. Retrieved 13 July 2011.
  45. 1 2 "Liam Dickinson walks away from Plymouth Argyle days after deal". The Herald. 13 July 2011. Retrieved 13 July 2011.
  46. ↑ "Dickinson joins Blues". Southend United F.C. 27 July 2011. Archived from the original on 2 April 2012. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
  47. ↑ "Dickinson, Kalala and Leonard join Southend United". BBC Sport. 27 July 2011. Retrieved 28 July 2011.
  48. ↑ "Liam Dickinson to miss Southend United opener". BBC Sport. 29 July 2011. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  49. ↑ "Southend's Neil Harris and Lee Sawyer suffer injury blow". BBC Sport. 31 August 2011. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  50. ↑ "Southend United rocked by Dickinson and Kalala injuries". BBC Sport. 7 March 2012. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  51. ↑ "Southend United trio breach club discipline rules". BBC Sport. 27 February 2012. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  52. ↑ "Striker Liam Dickinson set to leave Southend United". BBC Sport. 30 May 2012. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  53. ↑ "Liam Dickinson". port-vale.co.uk. 6 July 2012. Archived from the original on 15 July 2012. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
  54. ↑ "Cash-strapped Vale likely to miss out on striker". The Sentinel. 14 August 2012. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
  55. ↑ "Liam Dickinson looks to make most of second chance at Vale Park". The Sentinel. 1 March 2013. Retrieved 1 March 2013.
  56. ↑ Johnson, Dave (5 July 2013). "Vale begin their pre-season with a hat full of goals". port-vale.co.uk. Retrieved 6 July 2013.
  57. ↑ "Adams to check out trial defenders at Kidderminster". The Sentinel. 19 July 2013. Retrieved 19 July 2013.
  58. ↑ http://tc1.bpafc.com/players/liam-dickinson/
  59. ↑ http://www.bostontarget.co.uk/Boston-United-3-Bradford-Park-Avenue-0-Defender/story-29081162-detail/story.html
  60. ↑ http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36006911
  61. ↑ "Dickinson making the difference". BBC Sport. 10 April 2008. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  62. ↑ "Dickinson praises manager Gannon". BBC Sport. 27 May 2008. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  63. ↑ "Micky Adams can tame wild boy Liam Dickinson, says Phil Sproson". The Sentinel. 5 July 2012. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  64. ↑ Includes other competitive competitions, including the Football League Trophy
  65. ↑ "Games played by Liam Dickinson in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  66. ↑ "Games played by Liam Dickinson in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  67. ↑ "Games played by Liam Dickinson in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  68. 1 2 3 4 "Games played by Liam Dickinson in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  69. 1 2 "Games played by Liam Dickinson in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  70. 1 2 3 "Games played by Liam Dickinson in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  71. ↑ "Games played by Liam Dickinson in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
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