Andy Dibble

Andy Dibble

Personal information
Full name	Andrew Gerald Dibble
Position(s)	Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team	Retired
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 08/07/2006

Andrew Gerald "Andy" Dibble (born 8 May, 1965 in Cwmbran) is a Welsh former professional football player who played as a goalkeeper. He was a journeyman who played for many different teams. He won two caps for Wales and would perhaps have won more if not for Neville Southall.

Career

Early career (1982–1988)

Dibble began his career at Cardiff City, joining as an apprentice in June 1981 and turning professional in August 1982. He made his first team debut on his 17th birthday in a 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace. The following season he established himself as the clubs first choice goalkeeper helping the side to promotion and the next year he missed just one league match. His performances at the club alerted a number of club and he moved to Luton Town for £125,000 in July 1984. During his time there he twice went out on loan, firstly to Sunderland in 1986 and then to Huddersfield Town in 1987. Arguably the finest moment of his career was saving a Nigel Winterburn penalty in the 1988 League Cup Final at Wembley, as Luton beat Arsenal 3-2 to win their first major trophy. This save, occurring as Luton trailed the Gunners 2-1 with ten minutes left, is arguably the most famous match-saving stop in the club's history.

Manchester City and loan spells (1988–1997)

He moved on to Manchester City in July 1988 for a £240,000 fee. His time at City was interrupted by injuries, and despite being a virtual ever-present during his first two seasons, subsequently found himself second to Tony Coton. He was loaned out to several teams (namely Aberdeen, Middlesbrough, Bolton Wanderers, West Bromwich Albion and Sheffield United), and only very rarely played first team football for the Manchester team after his first two seasons. During his time at Manchester City, Andy became the face of the popular Kellogg,s cereal All-Bran, appearing in numerous television adverts and billboard posters

Later career (1997–2006)

He moved to Rangers F.C. on a free transfer in March 1997. He had a baptism of fire in a tempestuous and crucial old firm derby, standing in for the injured Andy Goram. He kept a clean sheet in the 1-0 victory which helped seal Rangers ninth consecutive title. Dibble Later had a number 9 tattooed on his calf in honour of this feat.

After a trial at Middlesbrough in July 1997 he moved back to former club Luton Town on a free transfer, before re-joining Middlesbrough in January 1998, again for no fee. In July 1998 Dibble signed for Altrincham, before a brief spell at League of Wales side Barry Town. In December 1998, whilst playing for Barry against Carmarthen Town, he was hospitalised after suffering chemical burns as a result of diving on the Richmond Park pitch markings. Scarred for life, he received £20,000 in damages. In March 1999 he signed for Hartlepool United, who loaned him to Carlisle United in October of the same year. He joined Stockport County in August 2000, enjoying a successful spell there and being named man of the match in many of the games he played.

Dibble signed for Wrexham in May 2002, but his time there was blighted by injuries. In March 2004 he broke his arm in a 6-1 defeat at Peterborough and missed the remainder of the season, while in September of the following season he was out for three months after severing tendons in his finger. He suffered a further injury later in the season when a torn thigh muscle ruled him out for the rest of the campaign. Dibble was released by Wrexham in May 2005.

He finished his career at Accrington Stanley (whom he joined in 2005) and became their goalkeeping coach. In November 2006 he moved to Coventry City to take up the same role. However he lasted only three months in this position at Coventry, he left the club, along with Adrian Heath, prior to the announcement that Iain Dowie would be the club's new manager following the dismissal of Micky Adams. On March 9, 2007 he was appointed as goalkeeping coach at League One side Peterborough United.