Derby County might regret their substantial investment in former Stockport County striker Liam Dickinson. After an exceptional season with Stockport in 2008, Dickinson’s performance was so impressive that Derby, then competing in the Championship, made a significant offer for him. However, the move turned out poorly for Derby, as Dickinson never played a competitive match for the team. He was loaned out multiple times before being sold to Brighton & Hove Albion at a considerable loss. While he remains a beloved figure in Stockport, Dickinson is unlikely to evoke many fond memories at Pride Park.
A standout season with Stockport prompted the transfer.
Dickinson had been working with the Hatters for several seasons, but it was the 2007/08 season, in his early twenties, that marked his breakout year—following his move from non-league Woodley Sports in his late teens.
The season before his transfer, at age 22, he scored 19 goals and provided four assists in 40 League Two matches, adding two more goals in the play-offs, including one in the Wembley final that was crucial for Stockport’s promotion.
Given his career trajectory, it was no surprise when a Championship team showed interest. They first had a £250,000 offer turned down before increasing their bid to £750,000, which was ultimately accepted.
It turned out to be a premature move for Dickinson. The Rams spent a substantial amount of money on acquiring a new forward, and while it was understandable why they were drawn to the move, Dickinson did not make the expected impact during his stint in the Midlands.
He never appeared in a competitive match for Derby, and subsequent short-term loans to Huddersfield Town, Blackpool, and Leeds United followed. Although he regained his scoring touch with Huddersfield and Blackpool, it wasn’t enough to secure a spot in Derby’s first team.
According to Transfermarkt, Dickinson’s career statistics are as follows:
– Stockport County: 116 appearances, 36 goals, 9 assists
– Guiseley AFC: 47 appearances, 9 goals, 1 assist
– Stalybridge Celtic: 42 appearances, 9 goals, 0 assists
– Southend United: 37 appearances, 12 goals, 3 assists
– Brighton & Hove Albion: 32 appearances, 6 goals, 2 assists
– Bradford Park Avenue: 17 appearances, 2 goals, 0 assists
– Rochdale: 14 appearances, 0 goals, 0 assists
– Huddersfield Town: 13 appearances, 6 goals, 0 assists
– Peterborough United: 9 appearances, 3 goals, 1 assist
– Leeds United: 8 appearances, 0 goals, 0 assists
– FC United of Manchester: 7 appearances, 1 goal, 0 assists
– Blackpool: 7 appearances, 4 goals, 0 assists
– Walsall: 7 appearances, 0 goals, 1 assist
– Barnsley: 4 appearances, 0 goals, 0 assists
– Derby County: 0 appearances, 0 goals, 0 assists
Just a year after his move to Pride Park, Dickinson left for Brighton in League One. Although it wasn’t a permanent solution for him, he achieved more success there. Brighton acquired him for £100,000, a significant £650,000 loss for Derby in just one year.