Paul Dickov

A former Premier League striker who played for some of English football's top clubs, Paul Dickov stepped into the world of management with spells at Oldham Athletic and Doncaster Rovers after his retirement from playing.

In a playing career that spanned an impressive 21 years, Dickov enjoyed time at 13 clubs across the English football leagues. Beginning in 1990 after coming through the youth academy at Arsenal, he went on loan to Luton Town and Brighton & Hove Albion, scoring 10 goals in his first 45 games for all three sides.

He soon captured the attention of Alan Ball, the then Manchester City manager, and he moved for a fee rising to £1 million. Over the next six years, he would grow significantly in popularity and though he was powerless to stop City falling into the third tier of English football in 1997-98 he did finish the season with nine goals, and as top goalscorer for the club.

In the lower league, Dickov formed an impressive strike partnership with Shaun Goater and helped them into the Play-Offs. Once there, Dickov put himself into the City history books, after scoring a 95th-minute equaliser against Wigan Athletic which would see them go on to win in extra time. In the 1998-99 Play-Off Final, he once again popped up with a vital equaliser in injury time, scoring a screamer that was voted City's Greatest Ever Goal by fans in 2005.

The following seasons would see the signings of George Weah and Paulo Wanchope and despite the renewed competition for places, Dickov carved himself a niche out in the City attack and helped the club to a second successive promotion. He also earned him a call up to the Scotland national team, getting capped for the first out of 10 times in 2000.

A dogged and determined presence upfront for several top teams, Dickov was highly respected and often loved by the teams he played for. He would even win over the support of Derby County during a loan spell from Midlands rivals, Leicester City. Overall, in his playing career, Dickov scored 102 goals in 431 appearances.

Able to discuss his impressive career as a player and coach, Paul Dickov is a fascinating after dinner speaker. Detailing the dedication needed to achieve at the highest level of the game, he discusses peak performance, maximising success and dealing with pressure in his speeches able to inspire any team.