Ramballs

Edit: RamBalls posted news of Brightons interest at 1am last night. Today the story was on the back page of the Derby Evening Telegraph. Stick with RamBalls- first for Rams news online!

News from the south coast has reached RamBalls offices (my living room) and that news is Brighton have joined Norwich and Blackpool in the race for Liam Dickinsons signature.

The out-of-favour striker is attracting a lot of interest at the moment as clubs see potential in the 23 year old former Stockport striker. The Rams will be looking to recoup as much of the £750,000 they paid for the front man last summer but there would also appear to be cash plus Dickinson deal available to the Rams as Nigel Clough attempts to bring Blackpools Shaun Barker to Pride Park.

So the Rams have landed their main target of the closed season. Shaun Barker has signed a three year deal with the club. RamBalls has provided you with a short profile of the former Blackpool defender.

Shaun Barker, 27, (DOB: 19/09/1981) began his professional career at Rotherham where he started out as in the youth team back in 2000. Shaun broke into the Rotherham first team in March 2003 and collected the young player of the year award at the end of the season. Throughout his time at Rotherham, Shaun played at right back, a position he is comfortable playing, but his preferred position is in central defence. Barker played 140 games for the Millers before moving on a free transfer to Blackpool in 2006.

Barkers first season with the tangerines was a successful one as they clinched promotion to the Coca-Cola Championship after beating Yeovil 2-0 in the play off final at Wembley. In the following season Barker missed only one game for the seasiders (due to suspension) as the tangerines maintained their Championship status. This season also saw Barker given the vice-captaincy.

The 2008/09 season saw Reggie, as he is known by the Blackpool faithful, promoted to club captain as well as retaining the on-field vice captain status. Reggie also moved from the right back position, where he had been playing for Blackpool until this time, into the centre of defence. After another successful season, which saw him start 42 league games, Barker won the accolade of players’ player of the year.

Ramballs understands that Norwich City are chasing Derby county striker Liam Dickinson. The recently relegated canaries are said to be preparing a bid of around £500,000 for the striker who has yet to feature for the rams although Blackpool are also said to be in the chase.

Dickinson, 23, has failed to make an impact since joining Derby County from a year ago. Last season saw the 6′4″ striker loaned out to Leeds, Hudderfield and Blackpool as the rams looked to give Liam some first team experience. Blackpool are said to be in the hunt for the striker after he scored 4 goals in 5 starts and 2 substitute appearances while at Bloomfield Road.