Gary Dicker

Gary Richard Perry Dicker (born 31 July 1986) is an Irish football coach and former professional player who is under-21's assistant manager at Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion.

He started his career with League of Ireland club UCD and went on to make more than 200 appearances in the English Football League, most notably with Brighton & Hove Albion, then spending almost five-and-a-half-years with Scottish Premiership side Kilmarnock before semi-retiring in 2021 when he returned to Brighton and became a player-coach for Brighton & Hove Albion U23s. Dicker played for his country of Ireland at under-19 and under-21 level. After retiring as a player, he joined the coaching staff at Brighton, and since September 2022 has been assistant head coach of the club's U21 team.

Club career

UCD

Born in Dublin, Dicker began his career at League of Ireland side UCD. He joined from his local junior club Cherry Orchard and was gradually introduced into the first team through substitute appearances towards the latter end of UCD's successful 2004 First Division campaign. Dicker progressed his way into a regular starting position the following season and successfully partnered Tony McDonnell in central midfield for the 2005 and 2006 Premier Division seasons. During his time at UCD he earned underage honours for Ireland at under-19 and under-21 level.

In the 2006 League of Ireland close season he spent a loan spell at Championship side Birmingham City, but he never made it past the reserve team. He made his debut for the Birmingham City reserves against Stoke City Reserves, which Birmingham won 3–0. The Birmingham reserve team coach, Keith Bertschin, described Dicker as a "very decent player. He's a good technical player, who can see and put in some lovely weighted passes and is decent with both feet".

Stockport County

Dicker was signed by manager Jim Gannon for Stockport County on 29 May 2007, for a fee of just £40,000, signing a contract until 1 July 2010. He played a regular part in Stockport's 2007–08 League Two campaign and took part in a promotion for the second time in his career as County successfully negotiated their way into League One via the playoffs. Dicker was a fan favourite during his time at Stockport for his passing ability and off the ball work rate. Dicker scored his only goal for Stockport in November 2008, opening the scoring in a 5–0 win in an FA Cup first-round tie at home to Yeovil Town.

Brighton & Hove Albion

On 26 March 2009, Dicker joined League One side Brighton & Hove Albion on loan for the remainder of the season. He made nine appearances for the Seagulls, scoring one goal, during this spell. On 25 June, he joined Brighton on a free transfer, signing a two-year contract. On 28 April 2011, having helped Brighton secure promotion to the Championship, Dicker was rewarded with a two-year contract extension. He was released when that contract expired at the end of the 2012–13 season.

Rochdale

On 13 September 2013, Dicker joined Rochdale on an initial five-month deal.

Crawley Town (loan)

On 23 January 2014, Dicker joined Crawley Town for the remainder of the 2013–14 season.

Carlisle United

On 27 June 2014, Dicker signed a two-year deal with League Two side Carlisle United.

Kilmarnock

On 1 February 2016, Dicker moved to Scottish Premiership club Kilmarnock, signing an eighteen-month contract. He made his debut in a Scottish Cup

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