Dean Sinclair is a midfielder from Luton who was a aproduct of
Norwich's centre of excellence at Potters Bar which has produced
many fine players, not least Darel Russell,
whom Sinclair has often been compared to. Sammy Morgan said: "Sinclair
is very similar to Darel. It will be interesting to see how he
develops physically. He's very strong, a good runner with the
ball and he will keep learning. He's always been the best player
in his team so he is inclined to overdo it. Darel was like that.
He's got to learn when to release the ball because he wants to
do everything. But having been under the eyes of the London clubs
we are delighted to have him with us." Dean was the last schoolboy
to come through the Potters Bar centre
As a Second Year Academy Scholar at Carrow Road, he played in
reserve matches and pre-season friendlies throughout 2002/03.
He made his first team debut on February 25th 2003 at Gillingham
(a 1-0 defeat) when Norwich's midfield had been decimated by injury.
He had a good performance against an experienced midfield. He
signed a two year professional contract at the beginning of May
2003.
Following Norwich's promotion to the Premiership, the cub announced
on 26th April 2004 that they would no longer be keeping Sinclair
on their books. He had not made a single appearance during 2003/4
and so was unlikely to see first team action in the Premiership.
By releasing him in April, it would give him a head start in finding
a new club.He trained with Wimbledon and played for their reserves
on 27th April against Charlton. Dean was later linked with a move
to Swindon.
Dean eventually joined Conference side Barnet on 12th August
2004 and made hus debut two days later against Forest Green. His
form in midfield as Barnet took a clear lead at the top of the
Conference saw him called up into the England National game XI
in mid-October 2004. Barnet won the Conference title in 2004/5
and returned to the Football League. He was also called up into
the England non-league side for the Four Nations tournament against
Wales, Scotland and Ireland in May 2005. England were victorious
in this tournament with Dean playing in all three games.
Dean's form during the 2006/7 season saw speculation that linked
him with a move to fellow London sides Crystal Palace, Millwall
and Leyton Orient - as well as to Championship teams Norwich and
Leicester. This continued into the 2007/8 close season with Leicester,
QPR, Sheffield Wednesday, Derby County, and former club Norwich
City linked with signing him. After a successful trial, Dean signed
for Charlton Athletic for a fee of £125,000. He had made
125 appearances for Barnet, scoring19 goals.
Dean was loaned to Cheltenham for a month from 5th October 2007
and made his debut the following day in a 1-1 draw with Oldham.
Although he returned to Charlton he was loaned back to Cheltenham
in August 2008
In January 2009, Dean was loaned to Grimsby for a month. This
was extended for a further month in mid-February.
On 26th November 2009, Dean was loaned back to Barnet.
Dean joined Grimsby on loan on 28th January 2010. This was the
second time that Charlton had loaned the midfielder to the Mariners.
He was one of six signings made by Grimsby during the transfer
window. However this did not prevent them from avoiding relegation
to the Conference.
Sinclair was released by Charlton at the end of the 2009/10 season
and was immedialely linked with signing for Grimsby. After having
a knee operation, he signed for Grimsby onb a short term contract
at the beginning of December 2010 and made his debut for them
in a 3-0 win over Redditch in the FA Trophy.
He was released by Grimsby at the end of the 2010/11 season.
He had a brief spell with Zema Abbey's Arlesey.
On 17th February 2012, Dean signed for Lowestoft along with Kirkley's
Nathan Stone.
On 7th August 2012, Dean signed for Conference side Woking on
a short-term contract.
Dean moved to Sutton United (Conference South) on 19th January
2013. He had made 21 appearances for Woking.
He moved to league rivals Eastbourne Borough in the summer of
2014. He moved to Hampton & Richmond Borough the following summer.