The Accrington hotshot called up by Northern Ireland

Currently lighting up League One, Accrington forward Dion Charles' name has been on the tip of every third tier supporter’s tongue during this topsy-turvy campaign.

Now he’s got a different challenge to undertake - to break onto the international stage during this week’s run of World Cup qualifiers after receiving his first call up for Ian Baraclough’s Northern Ireland squad.

Playmaker’s Louis Bent is here to fill in the gaps on the exciting striker's career and uncover just why Charles is taking all the plaudits this season.

Making waves in non-league

Charles began his career on the north-west coast of England, coming through the academy at Blackpool – however, zero competitive appearances for the Seasiders later he was released. It was actually a fellow north-west rival that would take a chance on the young forward and give him a first team platform upon which to build – as up stepped AFC Fylde.

The Coasters helped lay the foundations for Charles’ non-league revival mission, as the bagsman netted 18 goals in 52 games for Fylde and proved his ability to score goals at that level. This form for Fylde attracted the attention of those in higher tiers and it was another north-west coast team that subsequently took a fancy to the then wide-midfielder.

Fleetwood Town were the next team to take a chance on Charles at the tender age of 20. However, a similar story to his time at Blackpool played out, and after a grand total of zero appearances for the Cods he was again on the move - returning to the non-league scene for spells with Halifax and Southport. 

After impressing again, Charles was snapped up by Accrington Stanley, and the rest they say is history……

©Getty / Bradley Collyer - PA Images

Taking the leap

In 2019, Charles joined Accrington Stanley, a move that may have been seen as a gamble at the time, but which has paid off spectacularly - Stanley reaping rich rewards, particularly this season.

Since joining Accrington, the striker has flourished under the management and guidance of long serving Stanley manager John Coleman.

Dion’s former Southport manager Liam Watson was actually the one who instigated the positional change from winger to centre forward – an  inspired move which reignited Charles' football league career.

‘I was looking at his characteristics and I was convinced he was a striker’ were the words of Watson, and this conversion sparked Charles into life and allowed him to develop and progress in the way he has at Accrington.

This season’s spark

The 2020/21 campaign has been a breakthrough one so far for Charles and his best season in front of goal, even though he’s only made 32 appearances so far, hoovering up 17 goals.

However, this Dyson of League One goalscoring - he's currently the third hottest shot in League One behind Charlie Wyke and Jonson Clarke-Harris, both of whom have hit 22 L1 goals - hasn’t just got goals to his name. 

Taking a near league high of 0.3 shots within the six yard box per game, he’s clearly getting in the right areas to score and has the ability to bamboozle defenders with his signature curved runs. Charles’ brute force characteristic also allows him to bully defenders, completely resisting their attempts to swat him away.

This ability to exploit defensive weakness was epitomised during Stanley's 6-1 win against Bristol Rovers earlier in the season. A game played on a boggy Wham Stadium pitch, Charles was poised every time the ball was played over the Rovers’ defence – just waiting for an opportunity to pounce.

His average of 1.1 successful dribbles per game sees him rank very highly in League One, especially for those playing in the centre forward position and exemplifies his ability to glide past defenders. 

Northern Ireland call up

©Northern Ireland

The goals that Charles has racked up this season have attracted attention from plenty of scouts this season - at international, as well as club level.

In fact his fine form made him impossible to ignore for Ian Baraclough, the manager of Northern Ireland - who has bestowed a first call-up upon the 25-year-old. 

World Cup Qualifier games against Italy and Bulgaria await the green and white army, with a friendly clash against the USA sandwiched in the middle.

Hard work and perseverance, along with talent, are paying off Charles - who has certainly had to earn his break in professional football.

A potential dream start against Italy would intimidate some, but not Charles:

"I'd take it in my stride. You'd be playing against former world champions, but for me you've just got to be confident if given the opportunity and not play any differently.

"If given the opportunity, I'd want to grab it with both hands," he told the Belfast Telegraph. 

It's a huge step up for a player who was on loan at Halifax just over three years ago, but the scene is now set for Charles to make his mark on the international stage. 

📈 @Dion_charles for Accrington Stanley (L1; 2020/21):

🏟 32 Games
✅ 32 Starts
⏱ 2824 Minutes
⚽ 17 Goals (1 penalty)
🅰 2 Assists
⚡ 2 Doubles
🔥 1 Hat-trick
💥 2 Matchwinners
🟥 1 Red card
🟧 2 Bookings#ASFC @ASFCofficial pic.twitter.com/ftIpwZs29U

— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) March 23, 2021