Yeovil Town FC will bid a fond and emotional farewell to defender Carl Dickinson when Stockport County make the trip to Huish Park on Saturday afternoon.
Treasured by Glovers fans for the last three years, Dickinson will feature for the final time in a Yeovil shirt during the Vanarama National League encounter.
Having made 103 appearances in green and white, many of those as captain, ‘Dicko’ will leave Huish Park a player that fans remember fondly for his passion and commitment.
Now, the 34-year-old will be moving on to new pastures, becoming player-manager of Hanley Town.
Reflecting on his career, he told www.ytfc.net: “I loved every minute here.
“The first year was quite tough from so many points of view, which resulted in me questioning a lot of things. Then the gaffer [Darren Sarll] came in and seemed to revitalise me and give me a whole new love of football again. I thoroughly enjoyed the first year under the gaffer, to get so close and to be achieve something that would have been fantastic, was a great feeling.
“I think the biggest thing for me was feeling part of something again. The first year in particular, the togetherness that we had especially after being relegated from the Football League, finding that bond again between the players and the fans was massive – something that I will remember endlessly.
“I’m going to miss the boys the most. I’m lucky in a way that I’m going straight into an environment that I know already, but I’m just going to miss walking into the place every day. I always loved training and having the odd banter, so those are the bits I’m going to miss the most.”
Despite tomorrow afternoon being his final game as a professional footballer, the Yeovil Town faithful will be in attendance at Huish Park, and Dickinson is looking forward to marking his final farewell with the fans.
“When we played Maidenhead the other week, there was just noise everywhere. Just the little bit of just coming out to warm-up, the fans are everything. You ask any player who’s at any level, having fans makes a huge difference as it gives yourself such a lift. I’ve missed it this year and it definitely has not been the same without them so I can’t wait to see them at Huish Park again on Saturday.
“I think the fans were a massive part of our success last season under the gaffer, and I think would have made a difference this year if we had them in attendance.
“Saturday will be a very special occasion. My family don’t come down here very often, so to walk out with my boy and my little girl, and having my family there in attendance, will be a nice feeling.
“On the flipside, we’ve still got a job to do, I want to win and finish on a high, but to have my family there for my last time as a professional is something that I’m really looking forward too.
“It’s been a hell of a journey, but I’ve loved every single minute of my career. “
