20 Facts About Dean Gordon

Dean Dwight Gordon was born on 10 February 1973 and is an English former professional footballer who played as a left-back between 1991 and 2009 in his native England as well as Cyprus and New Zealand.

Dean Gordon notably played Premier League football for Crystal Palace and Middlesbrough, having 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.

Dean Gordon, who was born in Croydon, South London, is an 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.

Dean Gordon began his career as a trainee with Crystal Palace, turning professional in July 1991.

Dean Gordon 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.

In November 2001 Dean Gordon went on loan to Cardiff City, scoring st Blackpool, and was released by Middlesbrough at the end of that season.

Dean Gordon joined Coventry City in July 2002 and was a regular in his first season at Highfield Road, scoring st Ipswich Town.

Dean Gordon signed with Football League Two side Grimsby Town on a free transfer in 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.

On 2005 Dean Gordon moved to Cyprus to play for APOEL Nicosia, but he was released from the club a few months later.

In November 2005, Dean Gordon joined non-league Crook Town, 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.

Dean Gordon subsequently had an unsuccessful trial with Barnsley before joining Blackpool in January 2006, but was released after playing just once.

Dean Gordon then moved to New Zealand and signed for Auckland North Shore team Albany United in June 2006.

In December 2006, Dean 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.

Dean Gordon played six times for the Knights in the A-League, before returning to England where he rejoined Lewes in February 2007.

Dean Gordon began training with English club Torquay United and signed for the Gulls on non-contract terms on 16 February 2007.

Dean Gordon played eight times as Torquay were relegated to the Conference National and was released at the end of the season.

Dean Gordon had a short but successful spell at local teesside based club Thornaby.

In March 2009, Dean Gordon signed for Conference North side Workington.

Dean Gordon appeared 13 times for the England Under-21s in the mid-1990s.

Dean Gordon is the father of Southampton FC player Nathan Wood-Gordon.