Goalkeeper Dearden began his career at Tottenham but spent much of his youth on loan at various Football League clubs. His time at Pools consisted of a 10 game run in 1989/90, a season in which Pools ended up using seven different keepers. A shell-shocked Dearden conceded 27 goals in his 10 games including 6 at Stockport, and another 6 at home to Doncaster. He later enjoyed decent spells at Brentford, Wrexham and Torquay.