AFC Wimbledon signed Dickenson on loan for one-month in February 2013.[8] He made his debut on 23 February in Wimbledon's 1–0 win at Dagenham & Redbridge,[9] before scoring in consecutive games, first against Cheltenham Town in a 2–1 defeat,[10] and then a week later in a 3–2 home win over York City.[11] In all, Dickenson made seven appearances for the Dons,[7] before agreeing a one-year contract extension with Brighton at the end of the season.[12]
Still without a first-team appearance for Brighton, Dickenson was allowed to leave on loan for League Two once again, this time for Northampton Town until the end of the 2013–14 season on 8 February 2014.[13] He made his debut the same day as Northampton fell to a 2–0 home defeat by Plymouth Argyle.[14] He scored one goal for the club, in a 2–0 win against Hartlepool United on 22 February,[15] and made 13 league appearances.[16]
In May 2014, Dickenson had a contract clause invoked extending his contract by one season.[17]
Gillingham
Gillingham paid an undisclosed fee to bring Dickenson to the League One club on a two-year contract on 30 June 2014, just weeks after extending his Brighton contract.[18] He made his debut on 9 August 2014 as a 77th-minute substitute for Jake Hessenthaler in Gillingham's 4–2 defeat to Milton Keynes Dons.[19] He scored in his second game in his first start for the club with a first-half goal against Yeovil Town in the League Cup. He was withdrawn at half-time after picking up a slight injury.[20] He made 42 appearances during the season, scoring three goals.[21]
Bradley Garmston ousted Dickenson from the left-back position which he had become accustomed to playing for Gillingham by November 2015, with manager Justin Edinburgh saying that "choosing between them is probably the most difficult decision."[22] Dickenson had made 18 appearances from August through early November, but found his opportunities limited until March 2016, when a return to first-team action eventually yielded 36 appearances in total.[23] Dickenson was released by Gillingham in May 2016.[24]
Colchester United
After being released by Gillingham, Dickenson joined League Two side Colchester United on a two-year contract.[25] He made his debut for Colchester on 9 August 2016 in their 4–0 EFL Cup defeat to his former club Brighton,[26] before scoring his first goal on his league debut four days later in Colchester's 2–0 win at home to Cambridge United.[27] His performance was recognised by the English Football League when he was named in the 'Team of the Week' for all three divisions.[28] He scored a brace in his next match on 16 August as he helped his side to a 3–2 win over Grimsby Town at the Colchester Community Stadium.[29] As a result of his performance, he was named in the EFL 'Team of the Week' for the second week in succession.[30] He was also nominated for the League Two 'Player of the Month' award after three goals and an assist in his four league appearances in August.[31]
After a goal in each of Colchester's wins against Stevenage and Cheltenham Town either side of New Year, Dickenson was named in the EFL 'Team of New Year' on 3 January 2017.[32] Having firmly established himself as a regular starter as a left wing-back in the Colchester first-team, Dickenson said that "the spell I'm having at the moment is probably the best in my career. I've had a few good seasons but this is probably the best."[33] Dickenson then sustained cruciate ligament damage in April 2017 which would rule him out of action for up to nine months.[34] In his first season with the club, after scoring 12 goals in 39 appearances, he was named Player of the Year alongside the Players' Player of the Year award.[35]
Dickenson revealed in July 2017 that his injury sustained in April would likely keep him out of first-team action until February 2018.[36] He made his first appearance of the 2017–18 season on 13 February 2018, replacing Kane Vincent-Young during Colchester's 2–1 win against Coventry City.[37] At the end of the season, Dickenson took up the option on his contract to remain with Colchester for a further year until at least summer 2019.[38] Dickenson scored his first goals since April 2017 when he scored a brace against Crewe Alexandra in a 6–0 win on 21 August 2018.[39]
Milton Keynes Dons
Dickenson turned down a new contract offer from Colchester, and on 30 May 2019 joined newly-promoted League One club Milton Keynes Dons on a free transfer effective from 1 July 2019.[40] He scored his first goal for MK Dons when he scored in an EFL Trophy tie against Wycombe Wanderers on 12 November 2019.[41]
Exeter City
On 17 January 2020, following the mutual termination of his contract with MK Dons, Dickenson joined League Two club Exeter City on a short-term deal until the end of the season in response to Jack Sparkes sustaining a season-ending knee injury against Newport County on Boxing Day 2019 and other left sided players also being injured.[42] He made his league debut in a 1–0 away win against Grimsby Town at Blundell Park. He scored his first goal for the club in a 5–1 win over Oldham Athletic, scoring directly from a 35-yard free kick.[43] Dickenson was released by Exeter at the end of his contract in July 2020.[44]
Carlisle United
Dickenson joined Carlisle United on a free transfer on 13 August 2020.[45] Dickenson signed a new one-year contract in May 2022.[46]
Oldham Athletic
On 3 August 2023, Dickinson joined National League club Oldham Athletic, signing a one-year contract.[47]
ChesterfieldmanagerPaul Cook described Dickenson as "a very energetic, left-sided midfielder or left-sided striker who will bring a lot of balance to the team and a lot of energy going forward".[50] He played at left-back for Gillingham, keeping regular left-back Bradley Garmston out of the first-team.[25]
Career statistics
As of match played 16 March 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition