Dean Holdsworth

Who is Dean Holdsworth?

Dean Christopher Holdsworth is an English former professional football player and manager. As a striker he scored 193 goals in 610 league games over a 22 year career. Despite playing for 16 clubs in 19 spells the majority of his goals and appearances came at Brentford, Wimbledon, and Bolton Wanderers. He is the twin brother of David Holdsworth.

As a player he started his career at Watford in 1986, where he spent three years before signing with Brentford, following a short loan spell. A highly successful three years followed before he was signed by Wimbledon in 1992. After an impressive five year spell he transferred to Bolton Wanderers. He spent six years at Bolton, before in 2003 joining Coventry City, Rushden & Diamonds and then back to Wimbledon. In 2004 he signed with Havant & Waterlooville, where he spent one season before joining Derby County. In 2006 he dropped out of the Football League for the final time, joining Weymouth. Short spells followed at Heybridge Swifts, Cambridge United, and Newport County.

His management career started at Redbridge in 2007. After one season there he took the reins at Newport County. In his second season with the club he took them to the Conference South title with 28 points to spare. In January 2011 he switched clubs to take charge at League Two side Aldershot Town until his dismissal in February 2013. He took charge at Chelmsford City in May 2013, before resigning five months later.