He decided to sign as a schoolboy for West Ham at the age of 15,[5] and won the FA Youth Cup with his local club in 1981.

[4] Although a central midfielder, Dicko had to play much of the 1987–88 season partnering Tony Cottee as a striker following the departure of Frank McAvennie in September 1986.

[10] He made a total of 231 league and cup appearances for the Hammers, scoring 29 goals, playing his last game for the club on 23 May 1989 against Liverpool.

[13] After periods on loan to West Bromwich Albion and Brentford during the 1992–93 season, Dickens moved to Colchester United, signing on 4 September 1993, where he made 32 league appearances and scored 3 goals.

[14] He later played non-league football with Chesham United, Hayes, Collier Row, Billericay Town and Purfleet.

[14][15] After retirement from football, Dickens continued to live in Barking and went on to work as a black cab driver.