Source: Man_City
Dickov gets Royle seal
| Submit Comments| Comments (14)| Printable Version1/1Play SlideshowClose MapHISTORY MAN: Paul Dickov celebrates scoring City's late goal against Gillingham in 1999Paul Dickov will give his first crack at management everything he?s got ? just ask Joe Royle. ?When I arrived at City, there was no more enthusiastic man about the place than Dicky,? Royle said. ?Everyone remembers the goal he scored in the play-off final, but he was absolutely massive for us throughout the whole of that season.? It is some feat to be massive when you are only 5ft 5in. But what Dickov lacks in physical stature, he has always made up for in personality. Royle nicknamed him The Wasp when he managed him at Maine Road, a testament to the striker?s ability to get under the skin of his opponents and sting. Dickov became a cult hero during two spells with the Blues, covering a period of eight years. That late, late equaliser he scored in the Second Division play-off final against Gillingham 11 years ago remains arguably the most memorable goal in City?s recent history. Greatest Indeed, it topped a poll organised by the club in 2005 to decide on the greatest ever Blues goal. Now Oldham Athletic?s board will be hoping that their new player-manager can become every bit as popular at Boundary Park. If he fails, it certainly won?t be for want of trying. Stuart Pearce, who brought Dickov to City for a second spell in 2006, once described him as ?so unselfish, it?s frightening?. Pearce tells a story of leaving Dickov out of the City side for a game against West Ham in 2006 in favour of Georgios Samaras, who went on to score two goals that day. Rather than sit in a corner and sulk, Dickov sought out Samaras after the game to congratulate him on his performance. ?He came into the dressing room afterwards when he thought no one was looking,? Pearce said. ?He went over to Georgios, who was in seeing the doctor because he?d got a cut eye and said: ?Brilliant today, son?.? Those are the kind of motivational qualities that Dickov will need as attempts to turn around Oldham, a club who have been on the slide for the last 15 years. Latics fans have fond memories of the glory days, of the late 80s and early 90s, when Royle led the club into the top flight. ?They need someone who is there for the long haul,? Royle said. ?They need someone who is going to build a side, to put his own stamp on the place. ?It may take three or four years to do that, and that?s what they?re looking for.? Oldham?s new boss has a battle on his hands, then. But Dickov loves a battle ? always has. A former Scotland youth international, Dickov joined City in August 1996 after struggling to make the first-team breakthrough at Arsenal. Alan Ball was sacked within days, and Dickov would play under five managers in his first season at Maine Road. It would be the start of an eventful period. His second season ended in relegation, his third in that unforgettable Wembley promotion. Chances Season four saw Dickov score the goal which wrapped up a 4-1 victory at Blackburn on the final day, and with it a place in the Premier League. With City back in the Premier League in 2000, Dickov?s chances looked as if they would be limited as Royle brought in former World Footballer of the Year George Weah. But not only did the Scot force his way into the City team, he also won his first senior caps for his country. Dickov?s chances were limited, though, when Kevin Keegan replaced Royle following Premier League relegation in 2001, and he soon left for Leicester and Blackburn. His return to City in 2006 didn?t bring the success of his first spell, but Pearce was still glad to have him around. ?Dicky is never going to shrink away from anything, no matter what the occasion,? Pearce said. That passion, though, did once get him on the wrong side of City?s fans. He won and scored a dubious penalty against the Blues for Leicester at Eastlands in 2003, then slid to his knees, echoing the celebration of his Wembley play-off goal against Gillingham. He later acknowledged that it probably wasn?t his wisest move ? but said it was a sign that he will always give his all for whichever club he represents. Former Blues team-mate Shaun Goater recalled: ?When I was getting some stick from the fans, I used to look at Dicky and wonder why he was such a crowd favourite. ?Then I watched him closely and realised the passion and the endeavour he brought to the game and how much he loved the fans back. It was a great lesson for me, and I always tried to absorb some of his honesty and desire as a professional into what I did. Looking back, he taught me a lot.? Dickov once said of himself: ?The one thing you will get from me is 110 per cent.? Oldham Athletic know that their new manager will not lack commitment. Do you think Dickov will make a good manager? Have your say.
