Liam Dickinson

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, before joining the Blackburn Rovers academy, where he was released at sixteen before signing a full-time contract. He then spent some time out of the game, working full-time as a graphic designer for a graphic design company 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. 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." 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 gums – it's not quite the same."

Stockport County

After impressing during a trial in November 2005, Stockport County signed him for £2,000 in December. 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…

"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.

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".

Stockport County

Football League Two play-offs: 2008 Guiseley

Conference North play-offs: 2015 Individual

Stockport County Player of the Season: 2007–08