Dicker named Brighton U18s coach after retiring from playing
Written by Training Ground Guru — January 31, 2022
GARY DICKER has been appointed as Brighton’s Under-18s coach after retiring as an over-aged player with the U23s.
The 35-year-old rejoined the club at the start of this season to become a player-coach with the U23s - an innovation that had started with Andrew Crofts two seasons earlier.
Dicker had made more than 150 appearances for the Seagulls during an initial spell that lasted for four seasons from 2009.
Now he will lead the U18s along with James Baxter, who has been with the club for a decade and with the Professional Development Phase since January 2020.
Academy Manager John Morling said, “Gary follows in the footsteps of Liam Rosenior – who is now at Derby County – Steve Sidwell, and Andrew Crofts in past Brighton players completing the player to coach scheme we have.
"We were proud that another top professional chose to come into our environment when Gary joined and this change in role will be hugely beneficial at the start of a new chapter for him.
“We’re excited to see him develop as a coach with the under-18s, working jointly with James Baxter.”