Ryan Anthony Dickson is an English footballer who plays as a left back for Southampton. Born in Saltash, Cornwall, he began his career with local club Plymouth Argyle and also played on loan for Torquay United and Brentford, joining them permanently in 2008. Dickson joined Southampton on 1 July 2010 when his contract at Brentford expired.

Dickson was born in Saltash, Cornwall and went to Saltash.net community college and is a product of the Plymouth Argyle youth system, turning professional in May 2004. He made his league debut on 16 October 2004, as a second-half substitute for David Worrell in the 2–1 defeat at home to Wigan Athletic.

He struggled with injury and in August 2006, trained with Scottish Premier League club Motherwell and played once in a friendly against an American college side, with a view to a loan move, but the deal fell through due to his lack of first team experience.

He joined Torquay United on loan in January 2007 until the end of the season, his Plymouth manager Ian Holloway explaining that the loan spell would allow Dickson to increase his fitness before returning to Plymouth's squad for the following season. He made his Torquay debut on 13 January, playing in the 2–2 draw at home to Bury. Dickson scored once in three games for Torquay before returning to Argyle with a hernia injury.

On 22 March 2007, Dickson returned to Torquay on loan until the end of the season. On 16 November 2007, Dickson joined Brentford on loan, initially for one month. Brentford signed Dickson on a permanent deal on 11 January 2008, beating off competition from Darlington and Torquay United. On 2 September 2008, Dickson scored the winning penalty in a shoot-out against Yeovil Town, sending Brentford into the second round of the Football League Trophy.

On 10 June 2010, it was reported that Dickson had signed a deal to join League One rivals Southampton, with the transfer fee to be agreed at a tribunal. At the tribunal, the fee was set at £125,000 with a further £25,000 for every 10 appearances Dickson makes for Southampton on 10, 20, 30 and 40 appearances. There will also be £25,000 due if Southampton win promotion within three years together with a 20 percent sell-on clause. His first goal for the club came away at former club Plymouth Argyle, a 3-1 victory which saw the hosts relegated and the Saints win promotion to the Championship.