Dean Gordon
Encyclopedia
Dean Dwight Gordon is a former English
professional footballer
who played in the position of left back
between 1991 and 2009 in his native England as well as Cyprus
and New Zealand
. He notably played Premier League football for Crystal Palace
and Middlesbrough
, having also had spells as a professional with Cardiff City
, Coventry City
, Reading
, Grimsby Town
, APOEL Nicosia, Blackpool
, Albany United
, New Zealand Knights, Auckland City
and Torquay United
. Gordon also spent time playing in the English Non-League system with Worksop Town
, Crook Town
, Lewes
, Whitby Town
, Ilkeston Town
, Glapwell
, Workington
and Thornaby
.
Gordon, who was born in Croydon
, South London, is a classic example of a journeyman footballer having represented 20 different clubs during an 18 year career, but despite this he had only played for two clubs in his first ten years in the game but spent his latter years playing for numerous clubs in several countries, as well as turning out for a bunch of English Non-League sides.
, turning professional in July 1991. He went on to make over 200 appearances for the Eagles and was known to be a strong in the tackle and impressive going forward down the left flank. His speedy forays often resulted in spectacular goals as he let fly from the edge of the box.
for a fee of £900,000 on 6 July 1998. In his first season at the Riverside
he played in every league game and quickly became one of the fans' favourites. In November 2001 Gordon went on loan to Cardiff City
, scoring once against Blackpool, and was released by Middlesbrough at the end of that season.
in July 2002 and was a regular in his first season at Highfield Road
, scoring once against Ipswich Town. However, he lost his place and joined Reading
on loan in March 2004,
and eventually went on trial with Hibernian
in July 2004.
side Grimsby Town
on a free transfer on August 2004, his first club outside of the top two tiers of English football, but despite holding down a regular place in the team he was released in March 2005 by Russell Slade
.
to play for APOEL Nicosia who had been competing in the UEFA Champions League
.
, where he could rebuild his English football career, which had been delayed due problems with gaining international clearance, while being near to his business in Darlington
. He subsequently had an unsuccessful trial with Barnsley
before joining Blackpool
in January 2006, but was released after playing just once. A proposed move to Chester City
was blocked as Gordon was not allowed to sign for two clubs inside the transfer window. As a result, he moved to Lewes
in February 2006, before the following month rejoining Crook Town. Later that month he joined Worksop Town
, where he played until the end of the season.
Gordon then moved to New Zealand and signed for Auckland
North Shore team Albany United
in June 2006. He subsequently moved to Auckland City
in September the same year, scoring twice in five games.
In December 2006 Gordon left City to join A-League
team New Zealand Knights in a surprise move, forgoing the chance to play for City against Barcelona
in the FIFA Club World Cup
in Japan.
He played six times for the Knights in the A-League, before returning to England where he rejoined Lewes in February 2007.
He began training with English club Torquay United
and signed for the Gulls on non-contract terms on 16 February 2007. He made his debut the following day in a 1-0 defeat at home to Hartlepool United
. He played eight times as Torquay were relegated to the Conference National
and was released at the end of the season.
After playing 7 games in late 2007 for Whitby Town
on a match-to-match basis, he then signed for another Northern Premier League
side, Ilkeston Town
in August 2008. Dean also had a short but successful spell at local teeside based club Thornaby
.
In March 2009, Gordon signed for Conference North
side Workington
.
in the mid 1990s, although he was never capped at senior level.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
professional footballer
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
who played in the position of left back
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
between 1991 and 2009 in his native England as well as Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
and New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. He notably played Premier League football for Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
and Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
, having also had spells as a professional with Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
, Coventry City
Coventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
, Reading
Reading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
, Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
, APOEL Nicosia, Blackpool
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
, Albany United
Albany United
Albany United is a semi-professional association football club in Albany, New Zealand. They compete in the Lotto Sport Italia NRFL Division 1.-External links:**...
, New Zealand Knights, Auckland City
Auckland City
Auckland City was the city and local authority covering the Auckland isthmus and most of the islands of the Hauraki Gulf, in the North Island of New Zealand. On 1 November 2010 it was amalgamated into the wider Auckland Region under the authority of the new Auckland Council...
and Torquay United
Torquay United F.C.
Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
. Gordon also spent time playing in the English Non-League system with Worksop Town
Worksop Town F.C.
Worksop Town Football Club are a semi-professional English football club from Worksop, Nottinghamshire who play in the Northern Premier League Premier Division...
, Crook Town
Crook Town F.C.
Crook Town Association Football Club is an English football club based in Crook, County Durham. The club are currently members of Division Two of the Northern League and play at the Sir Tom Cowie Millfield. The club won the FA Amateur Cup five times during its history.-History:Crook Town Football...
, Lewes
Lewes F.C.
Lewes Football Club is an English football team based in Lewes, East Sussex. The club are currently members of the Isthmian League Premier Division and play at the Dripping Pan.-History:...
, Whitby Town
Whitby Town F.C.
Whitby Town Football Club is an English football club based in Whitby, North Yorkshire. The club participates in the Northern Premier League, the seventh tier of English football...
, Ilkeston Town
Ilkeston Town F.C.
Ilkeston Football Club is an English football club based at the New Manor Ground in Ilkeston, Derbyshire.-History:The club was established in 1894 as Ilkeston Town F.C.....
, Glapwell
Glapwell F.C.
Glapwell F.C. are a football club based in Glapwell, near Chesterfield in Derbyshire, England.-History:The club were formed in 1985 and joined the Central Midlands Football League Division One in 1989. They reached the 2nd round of the FA Vase in the 1996–97 season...
, Workington
Workington A.F.C.
Workington A.F.C. is an English football club from Workington, Cumbria. They are in the Conference North, and play their home matches at Borough Park, which has a capacity of 3,101 . The club play in red, and are known locally as the Reds...
and Thornaby
Thornaby F.C.
Thornaby F.C. are a football club based in Thornaby-on-Tees, England. They were established in 1980 when Stockton Cricket Club's football team joined the Wearside Football League.The club were known as Stockton until 2000....
.
Gordon, who was born in Croydon
Croydon
Croydon is a town in South London, England, located within the London Borough of Croydon to which it gives its name. It is situated south of Charing Cross...
, South London, is a classic example of a journeyman footballer having represented 20 different clubs during an 18 year career, but despite this he had only played for two clubs in his first ten years in the game but spent his latter years playing for numerous clubs in several countries, as well as turning out for a bunch of English Non-League sides.
Crystal Palace
He began his career as a trainee with Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
, turning professional in July 1991. He went on to make over 200 appearances for the Eagles and was known to be a strong in the tackle and impressive going forward down the left flank. His speedy forays often resulted in spectacular goals as he let fly from the edge of the box.
Middlesbrough
He joined fellow Premier League club MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
for a fee of £900,000 on 6 July 1998. In his first season at the Riverside
Riverside Stadium
The Riverside Stadium is a football stadium in Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire, England, which has been the home of Middlesbrough F.C. since it opened in 1995...
he played in every league game and quickly became one of the fans' favourites. In November 2001 Gordon went on loan to Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
, scoring once against Blackpool, and was released by Middlesbrough at the end of that season.
Coventry City
He joined Coventry CityCoventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
in July 2002 and was a regular in his first season at Highfield Road
Highfield Road
The Highfield Road Stadium was a football stadium in the city of Coventry, England. It was the home ground for Coventry City F.C. until the club moved to the new Ricoh Arena after the 2005-06 season...
, scoring once against Ipswich Town. However, he lost his place and joined Reading
Reading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
on loan in March 2004,
and eventually went on trial with Hibernian
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
in July 2004.
Grimsby Town
Gordon signed with Football League TwoFootball League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
on a free transfer on August 2004, his first club outside of the top two tiers of English football, but despite holding down a regular place in the team he was released in March 2005 by Russell Slade
Russell Slade
Russell Slade is an English football manager currently in charge of League One side Leyton Orient.-Notts County:Slade was assistant manager to Mick Walker at Notts County, and took over as caretaker manager when Walker was sacked in September 1994. When County appointed Howard Kendall as manager...
.
APOEL Nicosia
Upon his release he moved to CyprusCyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
to play for APOEL Nicosia who had been competing in the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
.
Latter career
In November 2005, Gordon joined non-league Crook TownCrook Town F.C.
Crook Town Association Football Club is an English football club based in Crook, County Durham. The club are currently members of Division Two of the Northern League and play at the Sir Tom Cowie Millfield. The club won the FA Amateur Cup five times during its history.-History:Crook Town Football...
, where he could rebuild his English football career, which had been delayed due problems with gaining international clearance, while being near to his business in Darlington
Darlington
Darlington is a market town in the Borough of Darlington, part of the ceremonial county of County Durham, England. It lies on the small River Skerne, a tributary of the River Tees, not far from the main river. It is the main population centre in the borough, with a population of 97,838 as of 2001...
. He subsequently had an unsuccessful trial with Barnsley
Barnsley F.C.
Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's...
before joining Blackpool
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
in January 2006, but was released after playing just once. A proposed move to Chester City
Chester City F.C.
Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
was blocked as Gordon was not allowed to sign for two clubs inside the transfer window. As a result, he moved to Lewes
Lewes F.C.
Lewes Football Club is an English football team based in Lewes, East Sussex. The club are currently members of the Isthmian League Premier Division and play at the Dripping Pan.-History:...
in February 2006, before the following month rejoining Crook Town. Later that month he joined Worksop Town
Worksop Town F.C.
Worksop Town Football Club are a semi-professional English football club from Worksop, Nottinghamshire who play in the Northern Premier League Premier Division...
, where he played until the end of the season.
Gordon then moved to New Zealand and signed for Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
North Shore team Albany United
Albany United
Albany United is a semi-professional association football club in Albany, New Zealand. They compete in the Lotto Sport Italia NRFL Division 1.-External links:**...
in June 2006. He subsequently moved to Auckland City
Auckland City FC
Auckland City Football Club is a football club based in Auckland, New Zealand's largest city. The club competes in the eight-team ASB Premiership which is the highest level of domestic football in the country...
in September the same year, scoring twice in five games.
In December 2006 Gordon left City to join A-League
A-League
The A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company...
team New Zealand Knights in a surprise move, forgoing the chance to play for City against Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
in the FIFA Club World Cup
FIFA Club World Cup
The FIFA Club World Cup is a football competition between the champion clubs from all six continental confederations.The first FIFA Club World Championship took place in Brazil in January 2000...
in Japan.
He played six times for the Knights in the A-League, before returning to England where he rejoined Lewes in February 2007.
He began training with English club Torquay United
Torquay United F.C.
Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
and signed for the Gulls on non-contract terms on 16 February 2007. He made his debut the following day in a 1-0 defeat at home to Hartlepool United
Hartlepool United F.C.
Hartlepool United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Hartlepool that currently play in League One. The team won promotion to League One in the 2006–07 season...
. He played eight times as Torquay were relegated to the Conference National
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
and was released at the end of the season.
After playing 7 games in late 2007 for Whitby Town
Whitby Town F.C.
Whitby Town Football Club is an English football club based in Whitby, North Yorkshire. The club participates in the Northern Premier League, the seventh tier of English football...
on a match-to-match basis, he then signed for another Northern Premier League
Northern Premier League
The Northern Premier League, is one of the regional English football leagues which sits directly below the Football Conference featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs. Geographically, the league covers all of Northern England, and the northern areas of the Midlands. Originally just one...
side, Ilkeston Town
Ilkeston Town F.C.
Ilkeston Football Club is an English football club based at the New Manor Ground in Ilkeston, Derbyshire.-History:The club was established in 1894 as Ilkeston Town F.C.....
in August 2008. Dean also had a short but successful spell at local teeside based club Thornaby
Thornaby F.C.
Thornaby F.C. are a football club based in Thornaby-on-Tees, England. They were established in 1980 when Stockton Cricket Club's football team joined the Wearside Football League.The club were known as Stockton until 2000....
.
In March 2009, Gordon signed for Conference North
Conference North
The Conference North also known as Blue Square Bet North for sponsorship reasons, is a division of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National. Along with Conference South it is at Step 2 of the National League System and the sixth overall tier of...
side Workington
Workington A.F.C.
Workington A.F.C. is an English football club from Workington, Cumbria. They are in the Conference North, and play their home matches at Borough Park, which has a capacity of 3,101 . The club play in red, and are known locally as the Reds...
.
International career
Gordon appeared 13 times for the England Under-21sEngland national under-21 football team
England's national Under-21 football team, also known as England Under-21s or England U21, is considered to be the feeder team for the England national football team....
in the mid 1990s, although he was never capped at senior level.