Dickinson Earns Avenue Return

The towering front man spent the last two months of last season on loan at the Horsfall Stadium, and has now signed for Avenue on a permanent basis.

He has featured in four of Avenue’s five pre-season friendlies so far, scoring in the 1-1 draw at Nelson and the 7-0 thrashing of Consett.

The 30-year-old was probably involved in the most memorable event of last season, as he started in goal when Avenue travelled to Boston United in April due to the fact no other goalkeepers were available.

Dickinson has had an eventful career to say the least. After spells at Bolton, Blackpool and Blackburn as a youngster, he gave up on becoming a professional at 16.

However, he became a prolific goalscorer for several non-League clubs in Manchester, prompting then-Football League club Stockport County to sign him for £2,000.

Three years and 35 goals in 107 appearances, including a winner in the League Two play-off final, later, Dickinson secured a £750,000 move to Derby County in 2008.

He never made an appearance for Derby, but impressed on loan at Huddersfield Town and Leeds United before joining Brighton & Hove Albion in 2009.

Spells at Peterborough, Barnsley, Walsall and Rochdale followed before the 6’4″ striker joined Southend United in 2011, netting 12 goals in thirty-seven appearances that season.

He returned to Stockport for a year, and spent a season at Stalybridge Celtic before joining Guiseley AFC last summer.

He scored 6 times in the National League at Nethermoor before moving to Avenue on loan.

Dickinson’s signing takes the tally of returning players up to three, with Luke Dean and Ryan Jones the only two other faces in Alex Meechan’s squad that fans will remember from last season.