Monday, 12 March 2007
The last non-league player to make it at The Valley?
Another signing! This time 22-year Ryman Division One hotshot Chris Dickson from Dulwich Hamlet, who starred in the reserves 5-1 win at home to Fulham last week. The initial fee of £35,000 could raise to £50,000 and will include pre-season friendlies at Champion Hill at the beginning of each of the next two seasons. Dickson was out of contract this summer and was being watched by a number of league clubs but Charlton stole a march on them and got him to guest for the reserves last week under the watchful eye of Alan Pardew. It is understood that Hamlet have secured a sell-on clause of 5%, although Dickson's previous club Erith & Belverdere are also set to gain from a clause in the contract that saw him leave them last season.
¶ 20:59 
Another signing! This time 22-year Ryman Division One hotshot Chris Dickson from Dulwich Hamlet, who starred in the reserves 5-1 win at home to Fulham last week. The initial fee of £35,000 could raise to £50,000 and will include pre-season friendlies at Champion Hill at the beginning of each of the next two seasons. Dickson was out of contract this summer and was being watched by a number of league clubs but Charlton stole a march on them and got him to guest for the reserves last week under the watchful eye of Alan Pardew. It is understood that Hamlet have secured a sell-on clause of 5%, although Dickson's previous club Erith & Belverdere are also set to gain from a clause in the contract that saw him leave them last season. Dickson is the league's top scorer this season and has scored 31 goals in 35 games, however 6 divisions is an awful lot to step up. He can't be considered for the first team this season but will be allowed to play for the reserves.
He has been compared to Ian Wright, albeit by his agent and of course Wrighty also started life in the non-league at Greenwich Borough. With the onset of the academies, I'm not sure of the last non-league player who made it big in the Premiership, although Watford's Marlon King also started his career at Champion Hill.
This got me thinking about our last player plucked from non-league to make any kind of impact. Was it Scott McGleish, signed from Edgware Town, now playing for Wycombe Wanderers?
