Dean Sturridge

Sturridge began his career as a trainee at Derby County, and worked his way through the ranks to make his first team debut on 11 January 1992 in a 1–0 defeat at Southend United.

He gained more first team action over the next years, particularly at lowly Torquay United during a loan spell in the 1994–95 season, where he gained many admirers for his performances. He then returned to score 20 goals that fired Derby to the Premier League. His first year in the top flight was also successful, scoring 11 league goals, including one of the goals of the season against Arsenal, and the club's very first in the Premier League when they drew 3–3 at home to Leeds United in an opening day thriller at the Baseball Ground (from which they relocated to the new Pride Park Stadium 12 months later). Leeds had been 2–0 up when Sturridge found the net for the Rams in the 77th minute, before Paul Simpson pulled them level a minute later. Lee Bowyer sent Leeds back ahead in the 85th minute, before Sturridge scored again in the 87th minute to rescue the game for his team.[1]

He played five seasons in the Premier League for the club, and is their record goalscorer in the Premier League era (32 Premier League goals). After nearly a decade with the Rams, he left for local rivals Leicester City in January 2001 for £375,000.

Sturridge's time at Leicester was far less successful than at Derby, as consistent injury problems and a change of manager saw his place under threat. He scored 7 goals during 25 appearances in total before being loaned to First Division Wolverhampton Wanderers in November 2001, just 10 months after his arrival at Filbert Street.[2]

His time at Wolves started brightly as he netted four times in his opening two games. This convinced the club to make the loan permanent after the initial month and he signed for £350,000 on Christmas Eve 2001. [3]

His goalscoring form continued throughout the season, and he finished as the club's leading goalscorer with 21 goals in total, which took them to the play-offs. The following season saw him notch another 11 which again helped the team achieve a play-off finish, where they won promotion to the Premier League after a 3–0 final win over Sheffield United.

The striker didn't enjoy much of the team's top flight season as a combination of injuries and new arrivals sidelined him for all but 5 games, and he was loaned out to Sheffield United.[4]

He was unable to put his injury problems behind him though and never regained a regular starting place for Wolves again. He moved on to Queens Park Rangers on a free transfer in March 2005.[5]

Here, his injury problems continued and he was only able to appear in 11 matches for the team, and never scored for them. In December 2005, it was announced that he would be leaving the club.

On 26 June 2006, Sturridge joined Kidderminster Harriers on a one-year deal along with former Tamworth goalkeeper Scott Bevan, possibly becoming the biggest name player the club have ever signed.[6]

Sturridge's time at Kidderminster didn't work out well, despite initially earning praise from his new manager Mark Yates over his positive attitude.[7] He featured in six matches without finding the net, before suffering an Achilles tendon injury which ended his season prematurely.

He was not offered a new contract at the end of season.[8]