Bruce Dyer

Bruce Dyer
Personal information
Full name Bruce Antonio Dyer[1]
Date of birth (1975-04-13) 13 April 1975[1]
Place of birth Ilford, England
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[1]
Playing position Striker
Youth career
1990–1993 Watford
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1993–1994 Watford 31 (6)
1994–1998 Crystal Palace 135 (37)
1998–2003 Barnsley 181 (59)
2003–2005 Watford 67 (12)
2005–2006 Stoke City 11 (0)
2005–2006 → Millwall (loan) 11 (2)
2006 Sheffield United 5 (1)
2006–2008 Doncaster Rovers 15 (1)
2007 → Bradford City (loan) 5 (1)
2007 → Rotherham United (loan) 3 (0)
2008 Chesterfield 3 (0)
2008 York City 2 (0)
Total 469 (119)
National team
1994–1997 England U21 11 (4)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.


Bruce Antonio Noel Emmanuel Dyer (born 13 April 1975) is an English former footballer who played as a striker.

His career started in 1993 with Watford, before he became the country's first £1 million-teenager when he joined Crystal Palace in 1994. He spent five years with Palace, playing more than 100 games, and then another five years with Barnsley, before he returned to Watford. After leaving Watford in 2005 he played for Stoke City, Millwall, Sheffield United, Doncaster Rovers, Bradford City, Rotherham United, Chesterfield and York City. Dyer also represented England at under-21 level, and despite scoring four goals in 11 games, he was never capped at full level, and instead played one friendly for Montserrat against Ashford Town in 2007.

Club career

Born in Ilford, London, Dyer started his career in the Watford youth system as a schoolboy in September 1990, becoming a trainee following the conclusion of his studies in July 1991.[2] Dyer made his first team debut as a substitute in Watford's 1–0 win against Birmingham City at Vicarage Road on 17 April 1993 and he signed a professional contract with the club two days later.[1][3] He made one further appearance in the First Division in the 1992–93 season, against Oxford United.[3][4] He made 29 league appearances and scored six goals during the 1993–94 season before being sold to fellow First Division team Crystal Palace on 10 March 1994 for a fee of £1.1 million,[1] which made him the first teenager in English football to be transferred for at least £1 million.[5] He finished the remainder of the season with 11 appearances for Palace.[4] Dyer spent his first full season at the club playing in the FA Premier League, making 16 league appearances and scoring one goal.[4] His first hat-trick for the club came in a victory over Birmingham City on 27 February 1996.[6] Palace were relegated back to the First Division for the 1995–96 season and he scored 13 goals in 35 league appearances.[4] The next season saw Palace earn promotion back to the Premier League, with Dyer being top scorer with 18 goals in 51 appearances.[7][8] Dyer's second and final hat-trick for Palace was in a 3–0 victory over Leicester City in the FA Cup on 24 January 1998.[6][9] He finished as top scorer for the second successive season after scoring eight goals in 30 appearances in the 1997–98 season as the team were relegated to the First Division.[8][10]

Dyer joined fellow First Division team Barnsley for a fee of £700,000 on 23 October 1998,[4] after having made nine appearances and scored two goals for Palace up to that point during the 1998–99 season.[11] He finished the season with 30 appearances and eight goals for Barnsley.[12] A proposed move to Gillingham in September 2000 was called off by Barnsley manager Dave Bassett after Dyer failed to agree personal terms with the club.[13] He scored two goals in the 4–0 win over Birmingham City in the 1999–2000 First Division play-off semi-final first leg.[14] He scored in the second leg, which finished as a 2–1 defeat, but saw Barnsley progress to the Final at Wembley Stadium 5–2 on aggregate.[15] He started the Final, but was substituted for Ǵorǵi Hristov on 64 minutes, with the match eventually being lost 4–2 to Ipswich Town.[16] Dyer was again linked with a move to Gillingham in April 2002, but their manager Andy Hessenthaler rejected reports they were preparing a bid for him.[17] His contract at Barnsley expired in the summer of 2003, whose manager Glyn Hodges hoped he would accept a lowering in wages to remain at the club.[18] He however failed to agree terms on a new contract and later agreed to return to Watford,[19][20] who he eventually signed for on a two-year contract on 26 June.[21]

Having returned to the club where he started his career, Dyer faced competition for a starting place from Heiðar Helguson and Danny Webber. In 2003–04 he made 18 starting league appearances, scoring three goals. His strike rate improved the following season, with 9 goals from his 21 league starts. Despite this form, Dyer did not score in any of his six appearances following the arrival of new manager Aidy Boothroyd, and was released by Watford in May 2005.[22] After spending a week on trial at Stoke City, he signed for the Championship club on a one-year contract.[23] He joined fellow Championship side Millwall on a two-month loan on 4 November and made his debut a day later in a 3–1 defeat to Crewe Alexandra.[24][25] He scored two goals against Sheffield United, which earned Millwall a 2–2 draw,[26] and finished the loan spell with 10 appearances.[27] After making 12 appearances for Stoke,[28] he was released in January and subsequently signed for Sheffield United on a contract until the end of the 2005–06 season.[29] He scored on his debut for United against Reading, giving his side the lead after nine minutes, but a Dave Kitson equaliser three minutes later saw the match end 1–1.[30] However, he was unable to score again in a further four appearances and joined Doncaster Rovers of League One on 2 June 2006 on a free transfer.[31][32] His Doncaster debut came in a 1–0 defeat to Carlisle United on the opening day of the 2006–07 season and scored with a low 20-yard shot during his second game against Crewe, which finished as a 3–1 victory.[33][34] He joined Bradford City on a month's loan on 31 January 2007 and scored eight minutes into his debut against Nottingham Forest, with the match eventually finishing 2–2.[35][36] He finished the loan spell with five appearances when it ended in March.[37][38] After returning to Doncaster, he featured in seven games for the team,[39] finishing the season with 17 appearances for the team.[40]

He made his first appearance of the 2007–08 season as a 57th-minute substitute for Mark McCammon in Doncaster's 5–1 victory over Bradford in the Football League Trophy,[41] after which he joined League Two side Rotherham United on a one-month loan deal on 13 September 2007.[42] With Rotherham striker Tom Cahill out injured, he went straight into the game against Wrexham, which was won 1–0, with Chris O'Grady scoring the winner.[43] He returned to Doncaster on 4 October with a minor back injury,[44] finishing the loan spell with three appearances.[45] He was released by Doncaster on 31 January 2008,[46] having made one appearance for the team during the season,[47] after which he eventually joined Chesterfield in League Two on 27 March 2008 on a short-term contract until the end of the season.[48] He made his debut in a 4–1 victory over Shrewsbury Town, in which he set up David Dowson for the fourth with a one-two.[49] Manager Lee Richardson had yet to decide on Dyer's future at Chesterfield when he had issued the retained list in April,[50] after he had made three substitute appearances for the team.[51] Richardson later said in June that if he was not able to find a new club, he could return to Chesterfield for pre-season training.[52]

He returned to Bradford City in October 2008, for whom he was training with and featured in a reserves game. Bradford lost 2–1 to York City of the Conference Premier, with Dyer scoring.[53] However, manager Stuart McCall said Dyer was only with the club to regain fitness following a long-term injury,[54] while four days after the fixture, York manager Colin Walker revealed he was interested in signing Dyer.[55] York eventually signed him on 3 November,[56] on a contract that would expire in January 2009.[57] Dyer made his debut for York in a 1–1 draw against Mansfield Town in the Conference League Cup third round, being substituted off on 64 minutes for Adam Boyes, in a match that was won 4–2 on a penalty shootout after extra time.[58] This was followed by his league debut, which finished as a 2–1 defeat to Torquay United; York's first home defeat of the 2008–09 season.[59] A tight hamstring saw him miss York's following game, a 1–0 defeat to Cambridge United, as a precaution.[60] He returned for the team in a 2–2 draw against Crawley Town, during which he set up Onome Sodje for the opening goal.[61] Dyer was forced to miss training due to stiffness and was unavailable for York's game against Salisbury City,[62][63] but regained fitness for the game against Barrow in the Conference League Cup.[64] This game was postponed and his tight hamstring forced him into missing further games.[65] He retired from football on 23 December after being limited to three games with York because of back and hamstring injuries.[66]

International career

Dyer gained 11 caps and scored four goals for the England under-21 team.[67][68] He represented Montserrat in a friendly game against Ashford Town in September 2007, which was lost 4–0.[69]

Personal life

Dyer is a Christian, which he, along with his wife Janine, claimed to help him carry on with his footballing career.[70] He is the founder of Love Life UK, where he visits numerous prisons around the UK, offering help and support as well as playing 5-aside football.[71]

Career statistics

Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other[A] Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Watford 1992–93 First Division 2000000020
1993–94 First Division 296104221369
Total 316104221389
Crystal Palace 1993–94 First Division 110000000110
1994–95 Premier League 161303100222
1995–96 First Division 35131140204214
1996–97 First Division 43172130305118
1997–98 Premier League 244441000298
1998–99 First Division 6200300092
Total 135371061415016444
Barnsley 1998–99 First Division 287210000308
1999–2000 First Division 326104033409
2000–01 First Division 38151041004316
2001–02 First Division 44142133004918
2002–03 Second Division 40171110004218
Total 18157731243320367
Watford 2003–04 First Division 323102000353
2004–05 Championship 3692062004411
Total 68123082007914
Stoke City 2005–06 Championship 110000000110
Millwall (loan) 2005–06 Championship 102000000102
Sheffield United 2005–06 Championship 5100000051
Doncaster Rovers 2006–07 League One 151100010171
2007–08 League One 0000001010
Bradford City (loan) 2006–07 League One 5100000051
Rotherham United (loan) 2007–08 League Two 3000000030
Chesterfield 2007–08 League Two 3000000030
York City 2008–09 Conference Premier 2000001030
Career total 469119229389134542141
A. ^ The "Other" column constitutes appearances and goals in the Anglo-Italian Cup, Conference League Cup, Football League Trophy and Football League play-offs.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2008). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2008–09. Mainstream Publishing. p. 134. ISBN 978-1-84596-324-8.
  2. ↑ Jones, Trefor (1996). The Watford Football Club Illustrated Who's Who. p. 75. ISBN 0-9527458-0-1.
  3. 1 2 Jones, Trefor (1998). Watford Season by Season. Watford Football Club. pp. 194–197. ISBN 0-9527458-1-X.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "Bruce Dyer Crystal Palace FC 1994–1998". Sporting Heroes. Retrieved 11 October 2013.
  5. ↑ "Dyer: I almost quit football at 15". Barnsley Chronicle. 13 July 2013. Retrieved 11 October 2013.
  6. 1 2 "Hat-Trick Heroes". Crystal Palace F.C. Retrieved 11 October 2013.
  7. ↑ "C Palace 1996/1997 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 11 October 2013.
  8. 1 2 "Top Scorers". Crystal Palace F.C. Retrieved 11 October 2013.
  9. ↑ "Next Up : Leicester City". Crystal Palace F.C. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
  10. ↑ "C Palace 1997/1998 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 11 October 2013.
  11. ↑ "Games played by Bruce Dyer in 1998/1999". Soccerbase. Retrieved 11 October 2013.
  12. ↑ "Barnsley 1998/1999 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 11 October 2013.
  13. ↑ "Bassett ditches Dyer move". BBC Sport. 20 September 2000. Retrieved 3 November 2008.
  14. ↑ "Brilliant Barnsley crush Blues". BBC. Retrieved 11 October 2013.
  15. ↑ "Barnsley book Wembley place". BBC. Retrieved 11 October 2013.
  16. ↑ "Ipswich triumph at last". BBC. Retrieved 11 October 2013.
  17. ↑ "Gills dismiss Dyer rumours". BBC Sport. 17 April 2002. Retrieved 3 November 2008.
  18. ↑ "Hodges waits on Dyer". BBC Sport. 17 May 2003. Retrieved 3 November 2008.
  19. ↑ "Dyer leaving Oakwell". BBC Sport. 24 May 2003. Retrieved 23 December 2008.
  20. ↑ "Watford close in on Dyer". BBC Sport. 12 June 2003. Retrieved 3 November 2008.
  21. ↑ "Dyer seals Hornets return". BBC Sport. 26 June 2003. Retrieved 3 November 2008.
  22. ↑ "Squad rebuilding starts". Watford F.C. 5 May 2005. Archived from the original on 26 August 2012. Retrieved 8 July 2010.
  23. ↑ "Stoke complete deal for Hoefkens". BBC. 26 July 2005. Retrieved 11 October 2013.
  24. ↑ "Striker signs". Millwall FC. 5 November 2005. Archived from the original on 6 April 2012. Retrieved 11 October 2013.
  25. ↑ "Millwall 1–3 Crewe". BBC Sport. 5 November 2005. Retrieved 3 November 2008.
  26. ↑ "Sheff Utd 2–2 Millwall". BBC Sport. 19 November 2005. Retrieved 3 November 2008.
  27. ↑ "Millwall 2005/2006 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 11 October 2013.
  28. ↑ "Stoke 2005/2006 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 11 October 2013.
  29. ↑ "Stoke release Dyer to join Blades". BBC Sport. 27 January 2006. Retrieved 3 November 2008.
  30. ↑ "Sheff Utd 1–1 Reading". BBC Sport. 14 February 2006. Retrieved 3 November 2008.
  31. ↑ "Sheff Utd 2005/2006 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 11 October 2013.
  32. ↑ "Doncaster net Blades striker Dyer". BBC Sport. 2 June 2006. Retrieved 3 November 2008.
  33. ↑ "Carlisle 1–0 Doncaster". BBC Sport. 5 August 2006. Retrieved 3 November 2008.
  34. ↑ "Doncaster 3–1 Crewe". BBC Sport. 8 August 2006. Retrieved 3 November 2008.
  35. ↑ "Bantams get Paynter, Dyer & Youga". BBC Sport. 31 January 2007. Retrieved 3 November 2008.
  36. ↑ "Bradford 2–2 Nottm Forest". BBC Sport. 3 February 2007. Retrieved 3 November 2008.
  37. ↑ "Bradford 2006/2007 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 11 October 2013.
  38. ↑ "Bradford capture Watford striker". BBC Sport. 6 March 2007. Retrieved 3 November 2008.
  39. ↑ "Bruce Dyer". Soccerbase. Retrieved 11 October 2013.
  40. ↑ "Doncaster 2006/2007 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 3 November 2008.
  41. ↑ "Doncaster 5–1 Bradford". BBC Sport. 4 September 2007. Retrieved 3 November 2008.
  42. ↑ "Robins signs Rovers striker Dyer". BBC Sport. 13 September 2007. Retrieved 3 November 2008.
  43. ↑ "Wrexham 0–1 Rotherham". BBC Sport. 15 September 2007. Retrieved 3 November 2008.
  44. ↑ "Bruce Dyer". Rotherham United FC. Archived from the original on 9 March 2012. Retrieved 11 October 2013.
  45. ↑ "Rotherham 2007/2008 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 3 November 2008.
  46. ↑ "Doncaster allow Dyer to move on". BBC Sport. 31 January 2008. Retrieved 31 January 2008.
  47. ↑ "Doncaster 2007/2008 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 3 November 2008.
  48. ↑ "Chesterfield make triple signing". BBC Sport. 27 March 2008. Retrieved 3 November 2008.
  49. ↑ "Chesterfield 4–1 Shrewsbury". BBC Sport. 5 April 2008. Retrieved 3 November 2008.
  50. ↑ "Spireites release retained list". BBC Sport. 24 April 2008. Retrieved 3 November 2008.
  51. ↑ "Chesterfield 2007/2008 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 3 November 2008.
  52. ↑ "Building a squad, not a team". Chestefield FC. Archived from the original on 29 March 2012. Retrieved 11 October 2013.
  53. ↑ "Dyer back in City colours but reserves lose". Telegraph & Argus. Bradford. 14 October 2008. Retrieved 8 July 2010.
  54. ↑ Parker, Simon (15 October 2008). "Dyer's back... but he's not staying". Telegraph & Argus. Bradford. Retrieved 8 July 2010.
  55. ↑ Flett, Dave (17 October 2008). "Walker ponders turning to know-how of veteran front-man". The Press. York. Retrieved 8 July 2010.
  56. ↑ "Minstermen bring in veteran Dyer". BBC Sport. 3 November 2008. Retrieved 3 November 2008.
  57. ↑ Flett, Dave (4 November 2008). "York City boss ponders Shield start for new signing Bruce". The Press. York. Retrieved 8 July 2010.
  58. ↑ Flett, Dave (5 November 2008). "Setanta Shield: York City 1, Mansfield Town 1 (4–2 on pens)". The Press. York. Retrieved 8 July 2010.
  59. ↑ "York 1–2 Torquay". BBC Sport. 15 November 2008. Retrieved 15 November 2008.
  60. ↑ Flett, Dave (19 November 2008). "York City boss refuses to defend players after Cambridge defeat". The Press. York. Retrieved 8 July 2010.
  61. ↑ "York 2–2 Crawley". BBC Sport. 23 November 2008. Retrieved 23 November 2008.
  62. ↑ Flett, Dave (28 November 2008). "York City boss Martin Foyle starts reign against familiar foe". The Press. York. Retrieved 8 July 2010.
  63. ↑ "Salisbury 1–1 York". BBC Sport. 29 November 2008. Retrieved 2 December 2008.
  64. ↑ Flett, Dave (2 November 2008). "York City boss Martin Foyle backs Andy McWilliams to shine in winger role". The Press. York. Retrieved 8 July 2010.
  65. ↑ Carroll, Steve (9 November 2008). "Brodie and Sodje add to York City's striking options". The Press. York. Retrieved 8 July 2010.
  66. ↑ "York's Dyer announces retirement". BBC Sport. 23 December 2008. Retrieved 23 December 2008.
  67. ↑ "England U21 Caps, 1976–present". The Football Association.
  68. ↑ "England U21 Scorers, 1976–2005". The Football Association.
  69. ↑ "Town thump national side 4-0". Kent News. Retrieved 11 October 2013.
  70. ↑ Sobot, Lee (9 November 2008). "York City: Dyer's looking to repay faith". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 11 October 2013.
  71. ↑ "Bruce on life and the Almighty...". The Sheffield Star. Retrieved 28 April 2013.

External links

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