Early career

Dibble began his career at Cardiff City, joining as an apprentice in June 1981 and turning professional in August 1982.^[1] He made his first team debut on his 17th birthday in a 1–0 defeat to Crystal Palace. The following season, he established himself as the club's first choice goalkeeper helping the side to promotion and the next year he missed just one league match. His performances at the club alerted a number of clubs and he moved to Luton Town for £125,000 in July 1984. During his time there he twice went out on loan, firstly to Sunderland in 1986 and then to Huddersfield Town in 1987. Arguably the finest moment of his career was saving a Nigel Winterburn penalty in the 1988 League Cup final at Wembley, as Luton beat Arsenal 3–2 to win their first major trophy. Luton were 2–1 down with only ten minutes of the game left when Dibble, standing in for the injured Les Sealey, made the save, as well as a string of other saves to keep Luton in the game, allowing them to score two late goals and win the match 3–2.

Manchester City

Dibble moved on to Manchester City in July 1988 for a £240,000 fee (2009: £480,000). His time at City was interrupted by injuries, and despite being virtually ever-present during his first two seasons, subsequently found himself second choice behind Tony Coton and arguably even third choice when youngster Martyn Margetson broke through onto the senior scene. Dibble was loaned out to several teams (namely Aberdeen, Middlesbrough, Bolton Wanderers, West Bromwich Albion and Sheffield United), and only very rarely played first team football for the Manchester team after his first two seasons.

In his time at Manchester City, Dibble was on the receiving end in a notorious incident in a game against Nottingham Forest in March 1990 when Gary Crosby headed the ball out of Dibble's hand before putting it into the City goal. The goal stood and Forest won the game 1–0.^[4]

Later career

Dibble moved to Rangers F.C. on a free transfer in March 1997. He had a baptism of fire in a tempestuous and crucial Old Firm derby, standing in for the injured Andy Goram. He kept a clean sheet in the 1–0 victory which helped seal Rangers' ninth consecutive title.

After a trial at Middlesbrough in July 1997 he moved back to former club Luton Town on a free transfer, before re-joining Middlesbrough in January 1998, again for no fee, however it was a disastrous move for Dibble as he let in nine goals in just two games, four in a 4–0 defeat to Nottingham Forest and another five in a 5–0 loss to QPR. In July 1998 Dibble signed for Altrincham, before a brief spell at League of Wales side Barry Town. In December 1998, whilst playing for Barry against Carmarthen Town, he was hospitalised after suffering chemical burns as a result of diving on the Richmond Park pitch markings. Scarred for life, he received £20,000 in damages.^[5] In March 1999 he signed for Hartlepool United, who loaned him to Carlisle United in October of the same year. He joined Stockport County in August 2000, enjoying a successful spell there and being named man of the match in many of the games he played.

Dibble signed for Wrexham in May 2002,^[6] and despite suffering injury problems in his time in North Wales, he was a major part in Wrexham gaining promotion back to Division Two at the first time of asking in 2002–03. In March 2004 he broke his arm in a 6–1 defeat at Peterborough and missed the remainder of the season,^[7] while in September of the following season he was out for three months after severing tendons in his finger.^[8] He suffered a further injury later in the season when a torn thigh muscle ruled him out for the rest of the campaign.^[9] Dibble was released by Wrexham in May 2005.^[10]