Dean Sturridge

Derby County

Sturridge began his career as a trainee at Derby County, and worked his way through the ranks to make his first team debut on 11 January 1992 in a 1–0 defeat at Southend United. He gained more first team action over the next years, particularly at lowly Torquay United during a loan spell in the 1994–95 season, where he gained many admirers for his performances. He then returned to score 20 goals that fired Derby to the Premier League. His first year in the top flight was also successful, scoring 11 league goals, including one of the goals of the season against Arsenal, and the club's very first in the Premier League when they drew 3–3 at home to Leeds United in an opening day thriller at the Baseball Ground (from which they relocated to the new Pride Park Stadium 12 months later). Leeds had been 2–0 up when Sturridge found the net for the Rams in the 77th minute, before Paul Simpson pulled them level a minute later. Lee Bowyer sent Leeds back ahead in the 85th minute, before Sturridge scored again in the 87th minute to rescue the game for his team. He played five seasons in the Premier League for the club, and is their record goalscorer in the Premier League era (32 Premier League goals). After nearly a decade with the Rams, he left for local rivals Leicester City in January 2001 for £375,000.

Leicester City

Sturridge's time at Leicester was far less successful than at Derby, as consistent injury problems and a change of manager saw his place…

In 1998, René Simões attempted to call up Sturridge for international duty with the Jamaica national team for the 1998 World Cup but the offer was rejected.

In 1998, Sturridge appeared in season one of the fictional football drama Dream Team on Sky One (as himself) as a Harchester United player and was valued as a £5 million player. Sturridge was acting as match summariser for BBC Radio Derby, following the sudden departure of Ted McMinn after the first match of the 2007–08 season. In this role he co-commentates, alongside Ross Fletcher, on all games played by his old club, Derby County. However, on the last game of the season, he revealed that he would not be returning to this role for the 2008–09 season as he wanted to focus on his coaching work.

His brother, Simon, was also a professional footballer, most notably playing for Birmingham City and Stoke City. He is the uncle of Daniel Sturridge, a striker who played for the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and Man City, winning the UEFA Champions League twice and appearing 26 times for the England national team.