Dean Holdsworth Stats Squad No. 23 Born: Walthamstow (8/11/68) Height: 5'11" Weight: 11st 13lbs Playing Position: Striker Previous Club: Wimbledon Profile The England B international became the Wanderers record signing when he came to the Reebok Stadium from Wimbledon for a £3.5m fee in October 1997. His first goal for the club came later that month and proved to be the winner against Chelsea. Dean began his career with Watford and had loan spells with Carlisle United, Port Vale, Swansea City and Brentford before making a permanent move to the Bees in September 1989 for £125,000. He netted 76 first class goals whilst at Griffen Park and helped them win the third division championship in 1992. In July 1992 Wimbledon paid £720,000 to make him a member of the crazy gang and he scored 43 goals in his first two seasons with the club. Dean's twin brother is a central defender with Sheffield United and the two played against each other at the Reebok in Bolton's 2-2 early season draw. Dean has had a children's book accepted by BBC Television which is due to be serialized in 1999. The story line, which the burly striker knocked out on his lap top in the close season, is about the exploits of two footballing brothers. Injury has hampered his chances of a regular start, but he has recovered from a trubling hamstring injury, and is now fighting with Michael Ricketts, Bo Hansen and Ian Marshall for fisrt team football. His miss in the closing minutes of the FA Cup semi final against Aston Villa will continue to confound the fans. It seemed Deano only needed to stroke the ball home but blasted it over the crossbar from a few yards out. A more pleasurable memory from the season will be his beautiful dead ball strike against Ipswich in the second leg of the semi final play off against Ipswich. As we know it was unfortunately not enough to take the Wanderers back to Wembley.

DEAN HOLDSWORTH

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