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{{short description|English footballer (born 1969)}}
{{Morefootnotes|article}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2013}}
{{Infobox Football biography
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2022}}
| playername = Dion Dublin
{{Infobox football biography
| image =
| fullname = Dion Dublin | name = Dion Dublin
| image = Dion hillsborough 2008 05 04 (cropped).jpg
| height = {{height|ft=6|in=2}}
| caption = Dublin with ] in 2008
| dateofbirth = {{birth date and age|1969|4|22|df=y}}
| fullname = Dion Dublin<ref>{{Hugman|5471|access-date=7 March 2017}}</ref>
| cityofbirth = ]
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1969|4|22|df=y}}<ref>{{soccerbase|2176}}</ref>
| countryofbirth = ]
| birth_place = ], England
| currentclub =
| height = {{height|ft=6|in=2}}<ref>{{cite book |last=Dykes |first=Garth |title=The United Alphabet: A Complete Who's Who of Manchester United F.C. |publisher=ACL & Polar Publishing |location=Leicester |year=1994 |page=116 |isbn=0-9514862-6-8}}</ref>
| position = ], ] (retired)
| position = ]<br />]
| youthyears = 1985&ndash;1988
| currentclub = ]<br>(Club Director)
| youthclubs = ]
| youthyears1 = |youthclubs1 = Wigston Fields
| years = 1988<br />1988&ndash;1992<br />1988<br />1992&ndash;1994<br />1994&ndash;1998<br >1998&ndash;2004<br />2002<br />2004&ndash;2006<br />2006<br />2006&ndash;2008
| youthyears2 = 1985–1988 |youthclubs2 = ]
| clubs = ]<br />]<br />→ ] (loan)<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />→ ] (loan)<br />]<br />]<br />]<br />'''Total'''
| years1 = 1988–1992 |clubs1 = ] |caps1 = 156 |goals1 = 52
| caps(goals) = {{0}}{{0}}0 {{0}}{{0}}(0)<br />156 {{0}}(52)<br />{{0}}{{0}}1 {{0}}{{0}}(0)<br />{{0}}12 {{0}}{{0}}(2)<br />145 {{0}}(61)<br />155 {{0}}(48)<br />{{0}}{{0}}5 {{0}}{{0}}(2)<br />{{0}}58 {{0}}{{0}}(5)<br />{{0}}11 {{0}}{{0}}(1)<br />{{0}}70 {{0}}(12)<br />'''613 (183)'''
| years2 = 1988 |clubs2 = → ] (loan) |caps2 = 1 |goals2 = 0
| nationalyears = 1998
| years3 = 1988 |clubs3 = → ] (loan) |caps3 = 2 |goals3 = 0
| nationalteam = ]
| years4 = 1992–1994 |clubs4 = ] |caps4 = 12 |goals4 = 2
| nationalcaps(goals) = {{0}}{{0}}4 {{0}}{{0}}(0)
| years5 = 1994–1998 |clubs5 = ] |caps5 = 145 |goals5 = 61
| pcupdate = 21:52, 23 July 2008 (UTC)
| years6 = 1998–2004 |clubs6 = ] |caps6 = 155 |goals6 = 48
| ntupdate = 21:52, 23 July 2008 (UTC)
| years7 = 2002 |clubs7 = → ] (loan) |caps7 = 5 |goals7 = 2
| years8 = 2004–2006 |clubs8 = ] |caps8 = 58 |goals8 = 5
| years9 = 2006 |clubs9 = ] |caps9 = 11 |goals9 = 1
| years10 = 2006–2008 |clubs10 = ] |caps10 = 70 |goals10 = 12
| totalcaps = 615 |totalgoals = 183
| nationalyears1 = 1998 |nationalteam1 = ] |nationalcaps1 = 4 |nationalgoals1 = 0
}} }}
'''Dion Dublin''' (born 22 April 1969 in ], ]) is an ] former ]. He was ] four times for ]. Dublin started his career and made his name as a goal-scoring ] but in his later years he showed his versatility by becoming an accomplished ]. He previously played for ] twice, ], ], ], ], ], ] and ].


'''Dion Dublin''' (born 22 April 1969) is an English former professional ], television presenter and ]. He is a club director of ].
==Early career- Norwich and Cambridge==
Whilst at school in Leicestershire, Dublin played for Wigston Fields; the local team in a small South Leicester village. Dublin began his professional footballing career with Norwich City on leaving school in 1985, but he never made the first team and was given a free transfer in 1988. He signed for Cambridge United, and his prolific goalscoring helped them win successive promotions. During the ] Dublin spent a short spell on loan at Barnet. ] saw Cambridge promoted from the ] via the ], when Dublin became the first ever scorer in a Wembley play-off final. In ] the club were champions of the ], and the club also reached the quarter-finals of the ] in both seasons, with Dublin scoring at ] in 1991.


As a player he was a ], notably playing in the ] for ], ] and ]. He also had spells in the ] with ], in the Conference with ], and in ] with ], ], ], ] and ]. He was ] four times for ].
In ], he played a big part in helping Cambridge finish in a club-best fifth place in the last ever season of the old Second Division, but when Cambridge failed to win promotion to the top flight via the ] Dublin was put up for sale.


Following his retirement from football, Dublin moved into the entertainment business. He is also an amateur ], and invented a percussion instrument called "The Dube". In 2011, he accompanied ] in a gig at the ], ]. In 2015, he joined the presenting team on the ] daytime show '']'' and has appeared as a regular pundit for ] on '']'', '']'' and '']''. He also occasionally provides co-commentary on live televised ] games.
==Manchester United==
Having seen Dublin in a cup tie, Manchester United manager Sir ] signed him for £1million. However, Dublin's big chance was to be curtailed as he missed most of the ] due to a broken leg - and he did not merit enough league appearances for a ] title winners medal having only played 7 games. However, Dublin did receive a medal as a result of special dispensation from the Premier League, meaning Goalkeeper ] was the only major first team player not to get a medal.


==Club career==
In ], Dublin regained his fitness but his first team chances were restricted by the excellent form of ]. In December 1993, Ferguson agreed a deal with ] manager ] that would have seen Dublin moving to ], but a member of Everton's board of directors, apparently feeling that Dublin was not worth the money Kendall had offered United, intervened to prevent the transfer going through - this incident led directly to Kendall's resignation as Everton manager and Dublin ended up staying at ] until the end of the season. He was left out of the ] winning team and failed to merit enough appearances for another Premiership title winners medal and soon after the end of the season he was sold to Coventry City for £2million.


==Coventry== ===Norwich City===
Dublin was born in ]. While at school he played for several Leicestershire youth teams, including Wigston Fields and Thurmaston Magpies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/news/2011/06/11/dublin-urges-football-hopefuls-to-listen-and-learn/|title=Dublin urges football hopefuls to listen and learn|date=11 June 2011|access-date=8 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923223050/http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/news/2011/06/11/dublin-urges-football-hopefuls-to-listen-and-learn/|archive-date=23 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> He then went on to begin his professional footballing career with Norwich City after leaving school in 1985, but never made a first-team appearance and was released by the club in 1988.
In four-and-a-half years with Coventry, Dublin established himself as one of the Premiership's top ] and during the ] won the first of his four England full caps. That season, he equalled the Coventry City record for most goals in a top division season with 23 goals in all competitions. He shared status as the Premier League's top scorer with ] ] and ] ] - each Englishman scoring 18 league goals.


===Cambridge United===
During this season, Blackburn manager ] tabled a bid to bring Dublin to ], but he rejected the offer and stayed at ] to help Coventry finish 11th and equal their best Premiership final position yet.
In August 1988, Dublin joined Cambridge United on a free transfer,<ref>{{cite news |title=I'm not Dublin your money; Roy won't give Dion any special wage deal |first=John |last=Gardner |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/I'M+NOT+DUBLIN+YOUR+MONEY%3B+Roy+won't+give+Dion+any+special+wage+deal.-a060939083 |work=Daily Record |publisher=The Free Library |date=28 October 1998 |access-date=29 March 2012 }}</ref> as a centre-forward, which had been his position at Norwich City. However, due to injuries he had to make a number of appearances at centre-half.{{citation needed|date=October 2012}} His prolific goalscoring helped United to successive promotions. During the ] season, Dublin was then loaned out for short spells with ] and ].<ref>{{cite news |title=YOUR QUICK GUIDE TO THE U's FROM CAMBRIDGE.... |first=Paul|last=Lewis|url=http://www.chairboys.co.uk/clubs/cambridge_united.htm |work=Chairboys on the Net |publisher=Chairboys on the Net|date=1 January 2000 |access-date=11 July 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=I believe this is the only picture of Dion Dublin playing for Wycombe Wanderers – October 1988. BTW – this is BASIC WYCOMBE KNOWLEDGE|first=Paul|last=Lewis|url=https://twitter.com/GasmanCOTN/status/1304020847158583297|work=Chairboys on the Net |via=Twitter|date=10 September 2020 |access-date=11 July 2022 }}</ref> The ] season saw Cambridge promoted from the ] via the ], when Dublin became the first ever scorer in a Wembley play-off final.


In the ] season, the club were champions of the ], and the club also reached the quarter-final of the ] in both seasons, with Dublin scoring at ] in 1991.<ref name=91-champions>{{cite web |url=https://www.theleaguepaper.com/features/4412/where-are-they-now-cambridge-uniteds-div-3-championship-199091/ |title=Where Are They Now? Cambridge United's Div 3 Champions 1990/91 |work=The League Paper |first=Adam |last=Ellis |date=9 March 2016 |access-date=29 May 2018}}</ref> In the ] season, he played a big part in helping Cambridge to their highest ever finishing position in the football league, by finishing in fifth place in the last season of the old ], but when Cambridge failed to win promotion to the top flight via the ] Dublin was put up for sale. He has since spoken many times of his affection for Cambridge United.
==Aston Villa==
Dublin was controversially excluded from the England ] squad, but his exploits at club level were still attracting attention and in the autumn of 1998 he chose to move to Coventry's arch-rivals Aston Villa for £5.75million. In his first 3 games for the club, he would score 7 goals including a memorable hat-trick against Southampton in only his second game for the Villans. In December 1999 whilst playing for Aston Villa against ], he sustained a life threatening broken neck as a result of which he permanently has a ] plate holding three neck ] together. In April 2000, a week after returning to the team, he helped Aston Villa reach their first FA Cup final in 43 years (which they lost 1-0 to ]) scoring a ] in the semi-final shoot-out with ].


===Manchester United===
Having regained his fitness, Dublin remained on the ] payroll until 2002, when faced with competition for a first team place by ] and ], Dublin spent several weeks on loan at First Division ], scoring 3 goals in 7 league matches. Returning to Villa, he found himself again a first choice striker, partnering ] up front. Dublin was sent off at ] for a headbutt on ] in the ] match, which ended 2-0 to ].
Having seen Dublin in a cup tie, Manchester United manager ] signed him for £1&nbsp;million on 7 August 1992, fighting off competition from ] and ].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-united-sign-pounds-1m-dublin-1538789.html |work=The Independent |location=London |title=Football: United sign pounds 1m Dublin |first=Rupert |last=Metcalf |date=7 August 1992 |access-date=1 May 2010 }}</ref> Dublin was something of a surprise purchase for United,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/man-utd/feature/on-this-day-dublin-joins-man-united_97259.html|title=On this day: Dion Dublin joins Manchester United – Sports Mole|website=sportsmole.co.uk|date=7 August 2013 }}</ref> after Ferguson had tried to sign ] from ] but lost out to ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.soccer365.com/match_reports/story_30709235013.php |title=July 27 - Shearer Joins Blackburn Rovers |access-date=27 October 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091014121541/http://www.soccer365.com/match_reports/story_30709235013.php |archive-date=14 October 2009 }}</ref>


He scored in United's fourth Premier League game of the ], a last minute winner in United's first Premier league victory – 1–0 against Southampton at ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Dublin delivers perfect finish for United |first=Owen |last=Slot |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-dublin-delivers-perfect-finish-for-united-1542456.html |work=The Independent |date=25 August 1992 |access-date=29 March 2012 }}</ref> However, on 2 September, he suffered a broken leg against ] in a 1–0 win at ], after a tackle by ],<ref>{{cite news |title=Dublin facing five months out with broken leg |first=Derick |last=Allsop |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-dublin-facing-five-months-out-with-broken-leg-1549138.html |work=The Independent |date=3 September 1992 |access-date=29 March 2012 }}</ref> and was out of action for six months.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dion Dublin Q & A |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Dion+Dublin+Q+%26+A.-a061109439 |work=Daily Mirror |date=10 March 1997 |access-date=29 March 2012 }}</ref> By the time he had recovered, however, United had signed ] and the Frenchman was firmly established as first choice strike partner to ]. United won the league that season for the first time since 1967, but Dublin failed to make the 10 Premier League appearances required to automatically gain a title winner's medal. However, he was given a medal as a result of special dispensation from the Premier League.
==Leicester City==
When his contract expired in the summer of 2004, he was given a ]. He was signed by Leicester City, who had just been relegated from the Barclays Premiership to the newly named Coca Cola ]. In his first season with the Foxes, he scored only 4 goals in 38 league and cup matches.


In the ] season, Dublin regained his fitness, but his first team chances were restricted by the successful partnership of Cantona and Hughes. In December 1993, Ferguson agreed a deal with ] manager ], that would have seen Dublin moving to ], but a member of Everton's board of directors, apparently feeling that Dublin was not worth the money Kendall had offered United, intervened to prevent the transfer going through – this dispute sparked Kendall's resignation as manager. Dublin would remain a United player for another nine months, but never managed to claim a regular place in the first team.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/howard-kendall-bolt-from-the-blue-1935322.html|title=Howard Kendall: Bolt from the Blue|date=23 October 2011|website=The Independent}}</ref>
During ] he lost his place as the team's main striker to ], but continued to appear as a defender. His contract at Leicester City was terminated by mutual consent on 30 January 2006.


He managed five league appearances that season, scoring once in a 3–2 home win over ] in early April, his goal helping secure a vital victory in the title run-in during a spell when United started to drop points and ] were closing in on them.<ref>{{cite news |title=United stay clear of rampant Rovers: Ince relieves fraying Old Trafford nerves – Dalglish's men keep up the pressure as Oldham and Everton drop closer to relegation |first=Joe |last=Lovejoy |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football--race-for-the-championship-united-stay-clear-of-rampant-rovers-ince-relieves-fraying-old-trafford-nerves--dalglishs-men-keep-up-the-pressure-as-oldham-and-everton-drop-closer-to-relegation-1368092.html |work=The Independent |date=5 April 1994 |access-date=29 March 2012 }}</ref> He also managed a further goal in the ] second round first leg, as United were beaten 2–1 by ] at the ]. The goal against Oldham was the only competitive goal that Dublin scored for United at Old Trafford. He was left out of the ] against Chelsea and failed to make enough appearances to merit another Premier League title winners medal. In September 1994, he was sold to Coventry City for £2&nbsp;million – a record signing for Coventry City at the time – and also one of the largest fees received by Manchester United.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dublin moves to Coventry |first=Mark |last=Burton |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-dublin-moves-to-coventry-1447962.html |work=The Independent |date=10 September 1994 |access-date=29 March 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/aberdeen/no-headline-present-1.485716|title=No Headline Present|website=HeraldScotland|date=10 September 1994 }}</ref>
==Celtic==
He was snapped up quickly by Celtic Manager ], to cover for the loss of Chris Sutton, on a contract until the end of the season. At Celtic, Dublin achieved double success, with ] and ] winner's medals. He came on as a sub and scored the final goal as Celtic won the Scottish League Cup final,<ref></ref> and also played enough matches with Celtic to merit a title medal. In the league, he made three league starts and eight substitute appearances for Celtic, scoring once. Despite one or two decent performances in the Green and White, Dublin was released by manager ].


==Return to Norwich== ===Coventry City===
In four years with Coventry, Dublin established himself as one of the Premier League's top ] and during the ] won the first of his four full England caps. That season, he equalled the Coventry City record for most goals in a top division season, with 23 goals in all competitions.
] in the ] game with ].]]
On 20 September 2006, Norwich City announced that Dublin had joined them until the end of the ] season. It marks a return, almost 20 years after leaving, for Dublin to the club where he began his career. He made his debut on 23 September 2006 when he came on as substitute against ]. He scored his first competitive goal in Norwich City colours in a 3-3 draw against ] on 14 October 2006 at ].


Following ]'s departure in 1995, the arrival of ] and ] would see Dublin fit into an attacking team in the typical Atkinson mould. It included the likes of ], ] and ] to add to the already attack minded ]. The addition of ], following ], should have provided mid-table stability, but the team's defensive frailties often undermined Dublin's scoring at the other end. This culminated in possibly one of the greatest escapes in Premier League history in May 1997. Despite having won away to Liverpool (Dublin scoring in the dying seconds) and at home to Chelsea at the start of April, the ''Sky Blues'' could only manage two points from their following three games. City went into the final day second from bottom of the table, needing not only to beat ] away from home, but also for results elsewhere in the league to go their way for them to escape relegation. They achieved the most unlikely of escapes; first-half goals from Dublin and ] gave Coventry a 2–1 win at ], while ] lost at ] and ] could only manage a draw at ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Matchweek 41 Results |url=https://www.premierleague.com/matchweek/199/scores |website=Premier League |access-date=5 November 2022}}</ref> Coventry finished the season in 17th place, one point outside the relegation zone.<ref>{{cite news |title=Final 1996-97 Premier League table |url=https://www.premierleague.com/matchweek/199/table |website=Premier League |access-date=5 November 2022}}</ref>
] cited Dublin as the main inspiration behind ]'s 4-1 FA Cup 3rd Round win at Tamworth, in which the striker scored two goals and set up numerous chances for other team mates. Dublin was an important figure in Norwich securing safety from relegation to League One and the supporters recognised his contribution by voting him in second place in the ] award, and on 23 May 2007 he ended speculation about his future by signing a new 1-year contract at Norwich, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2007-08 season.


The following season, the Sky Blues improved at home and enjoyed a season of mid-table security. Dublin formed an impressive partnership with ] which not only produced some memorable goals, but also propelled the Sky Blues to the FA Cup sixth round against ]; a game they narrowly lost in a penalty shoot-out.
On 2 September 2007, Dublin, whilst a pundit on the Aston Villa v ] game, said that this season would be his last as a footballer, citing the fact that his 'bones have started to talk to him' as the reason, meaning that he didn't think his body can handle another season.
On 8 November 1997, Dublin scored one of the most bizarre goals in Premier League history. Early in the match against ], goalkeeper ] collected a cross from the right and placed the ball in front of him. The ball was still in play, and Dublin, who had attempted to meet the cross and was now behind Given, reappeared and calmly slotted the ball into the empty goal. This led to the joke: ''"Shay Given, the only Irishman who doesn't know where Dublin is."'' The match ended 2-2, with Dublin also scoring City's second goal in the second half.<ref>{{cite news |title=Coventry v Newcastle, 1997/98 |url=https://www.premierleague.com/match/2273 |website=Premier League |access-date=3 November 2022}}</ref>
The 1997–98 season also saw Dublin share elite status as the Premier League's top scorer with ]' ] and ]'s ] – each Englishman scoring 18 league goals. During this season, Blackburn manager ] tabled a bid which Dublin rejected. He remained at ] and contributed to Coventry's best finish to date in the Premiership (11th).


===Aston Villa===
{{Quote box|width=300px|align=left|quote="It was incredible at Hillsborough. If you think of the stadia I could've retired at, away from Norwich of course, with the history and the feeling, then Sheffield Wednesday was the perfect place."|source='''Dion Dublin'''<ref name="Wednesday">{{cite book|title=Sheffield Wednesday vs Wigan Athletic|date=2008-08-02|series=Wednesday - match programme|pages=p.43|accessdate=2008-08-03}}</ref>
Dublin was controversially excluded from the England ] squad, despite being the Premier League's joint top-scorer in the 1997–98 season. However, his exploits at club level were still attracting significant attention, and in the autumn of 1998, he chose to move to Aston Villa for £5.75&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dublin becomes a Villan |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/fa_carling_premiership/208618.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=5 November 1998 |access-date=29 March 2012 }}</ref> In his first four games for the club, he would score seven goals, including a memorable hat-trick against Southampton in only his second game for Villa. As a result, he is one of only six players to score in the first four consecutive games for a Premier League club.<ref>{{cite news|title=Coyle happy to take a loan|url=http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/wanderers/wanderersnews/8888933.Coyle_happy_to_take_a_loan/?|work=Bolton News|date=4 March 2011|access-date=4 March 2011}}</ref>
}}

He was voted the club's ] and awarded the ] trophy on 26 April 2008 in his final season as a footballer, on his penultimate game, and on his final appearance at ].
In December 1999, while playing for Aston Villa against ], he sustained a life-threatening broken neck,<ref>{{cite news |title=Dublin's neck injury could have left him crippled |first=John |last=Curtis |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/dublins-neck-injury-could-have-left-him-crippled-742298.html |work=The Independent |date=21 December 1999 |access-date=29 March 2012 }}</ref> as a result of which he permanently has a ] plate holding three neck ] together. Just days before suffering this injury, it was reported in the '']'' that Dublin would soon be sold by Aston Villa for a fee of around £6&nbsp;million as the club looked to finance a fall in its share value as a result of manager ]'s heavy expenditure on players.

However, the injury did not end Dublin's career and he was back in action three months later.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ex-canaries.co.uk/players/dublin.htm|title=Flown From the Nest – Dion Dublin|website=ex-canaries.co.uk}}</ref>

In April 2000, a week after returning to the team, he helped Aston Villa reach their first FA Cup final in 43 years, which they lost 1–0 against ],<ref>{{cite news |title=Chelsea claim FA Cup glory |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/fa_cup/756784.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=20 May 2000 |access-date=29 March 2012 }}</ref> scoring a ] in the semi-final shoot-out against ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Villa book Cup final place |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/fa_cup/698834.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=2 April 2000 |access-date=29 March 2012 }}</ref>

Faced with competition for a first-team place by new signings ] and ], Dublin spent several weeks on loan at ] ] towards the end of the 2001–02 season. In his time there, he scored two goals, against ]<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/1898582.stm |title=Millwall 3–0 Stockport |website=BBC Sport |date=30 March 2002 |access-date=15 September 2009 }}</ref> and ]<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/1935819.stm |title=Lions see off Mariners |website=BBC Sport |date=21 April 2002 |access-date=15 September 2009 }}</ref> in five league matches to help them into the ], where despite Dublin's goal in the first leg of the semi-final,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/1956714.stm |title=Bruce salutes Dublin |website=BBC Sport |date=28 April 2002 |access-date=15 September 2009 }}</ref> against ] ],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/1951115.stm |title=Dublin dents Birmingham |website=BBC Sport |date=28 April 2002 | access-date=3 November 2022 }}</ref> Millwall lost 2–1 on aggregate.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/photo_galleries/football/1965354.stm |title=Birmingham steal win |website=BBC Sport |date=2 May 2002 |access-date=15 September 2009 }}</ref>
Following Millwall's elimination from the play-offs, Dublin returned to Aston Villa in time for their final game of the season, against Chelsea at ]. He replaced ] in the 84th minute and scored Villa's third goal in a 3–1 win.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1978487.stm |title=Villa treble downs Blues |website=BBC Sport |date=11 May 2002 |access-date=3 November 2022 }}</ref>

Dublin once again found himself a first-choice striker at the start of the 2002–03 season, partnering Vassell up front. In March 2003, he was sent off at ] for a headbutt on ] in the ] match, which ended 2–0 to Birmingham City.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/2790257.stm |title=Blues win fierce derby |website=BBC Sport |date=3 March 2003 |access-date=3 November 2022}}</ref>

===Leicester City===
When his contract expired in the summer of 2004, he was given a ]. He was signed by Leicester City, who had been relegated from the Premier League to the ].<ref name="Leicester seal Dublin deal">{{cite news |title=Leicester seal Dublin deal |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/leicester_city/3786743.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=12 June 2004 |access-date=19 February 2010 }}</ref> In his first season with the club, he scored only four goals in 38 competitive matches. During the ] season, Dublin lost his place as the team's main striker, but continued to appear as a defender. His contract at Leicester City was terminated by mutual consent on 30 January 2006.

===Celtic===
He was snapped up quickly by then Celtic manager ], to cover for the loss of ], on a contract until the end of the season.<ref>{{cite news |title=Veteran Dublin signs for Celtic |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/celtic/4662724.stm |website=BBC Sport |date=30 January 2006 |access-date=29 March 2012 }}</ref> At Celtic, Dublin achieved double success, with ] and ] winner's medals. On 19 March 2006, Dublin came on as a substitute and scored the final goal as Celtic defeated ] 3–0 to win the ] final,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=480862|title=Football Fixtures & Results – Updated Match Odds – Soccer Base|website=soccerbase.com|access-date=19 March 2006|archive-date=16 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216114557/http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=480862|url-status=dead}}</ref> and also played enough matches with Celtic to merit a title medal. In the league, he made three league starts and eight substitute appearances for Celtic, scoring once against ] on 9 April 2006 in a 4–1 win at ].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/4887360.stm |title=Kilmarnock 1–4 Celtic |website=BBC Sport |date=9 April 2006 |access-date=15 September 2009 }}</ref> Despite one or two decent performances for the Parkhead outfit, Dublin was released by Strachan in May 2006.

===Return to Norwich City===
] in the ] game with ].]]
On 20 September 2006, Norwich City announced that Dublin had joined them until the end of ]. It marked a return, almost 20 years after leaving, for Dublin to the club where he began his career. He made his debut on 23 September 2006 when he came on as substitute against ]. He scored his first competitive goal in Norwich City colours in a 3–3 draw against ] on 14 October 2006 at ]. ] cited Dublin as the main inspiration behind ]'s 4–1 FA Cup 3rd Round win at ], in which the striker scored two goals and set up numerous chances for other teammates.

Dublin was an important figure in Norwich securing safety from relegation to League One and the supporters recognised his contribution by voting him in second place in the ] award, and on 23 May 2007 he ended speculation about his future by signing a new one-year contract at Norwich, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2007–08 season. On 2 September 2007, while working as a pundit on a match between Aston Villa and ], Dublin said that this season would be his last as a professional footballer, citing the fact that his "bones have started to talk to him" as the reason, meaning that he did not think his body can handle another season.{{citation needed|date=May 2020}}

{{Quote box |width=400px |align=left |quote="It was incredible at Hillsborough. If you think of the stadia I could've retired at, away from Norwich of course, with the history and the feeling, then Sheffield Wednesday was the perfect place". |source='''Dion Dublin'''<ref name="Wednesday">{{cite book |title=Sheffield Wednesday vs Wigan Athletic |date=2 August 2008 |series=Wednesday – match programme |page=43}}</ref>}}

], 4 May 2008]]

In the spring of 2008, Dublin was approached by ], then manager of Cambridge United, about joining his old club for the 2008–09 season. However, the player would not change his mind about retiring. He was voted the club's ] and awarded the ] trophy on 26 April 2008 in his final season as a footballer, at his penultimate game, and on his final appearance at ]. Dublin played his final game on 4 May 2008, featuring in Norwich's 4–1 loss to Sheffield Wednesday in front of 36,208 fans at ] – the highest ] attendance that season.<ref name="Wednesday" /> When he was taken off in the 66th minute, Dublin received a standing ovation from both sets of supporters and players, and referee ].

==International career==
Dublin earned his first ] for ] on 11 February 1998, playing the whole 90 minutes in the 2–0 ] defeat to ] at ].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world_cup_98/results_and_reports/86520.stm |title=Salas sinks England |date=11 February 1998 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=11 September 2012}}</ref> In the run-up to the ], Dublin played in the ] in May, starting in the 1–0 win against ],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.englandstats.com/matches.php?mid=745 |title=Morocco 0–1 England |date=27 May 1998 |work=EnglandStats.com |publisher=England International Database |access-date=11 September 2013}}</ref> and coming off the bench in 0–0 draw with ], a game England lost on ].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.englandstats.com/matches.php?mid=746 |title=England 0–1 Belgium |date=29 May 1998 |work=EnglandStats.com |publisher=England International Database |access-date=11 September 2013}}</ref> Despite showing good form and versatility throughout the ], including finishing joint top scorer in the ] with 18 goals, ] included Les Ferdinand ahead of Dublin in his ] for the tournament in France.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/104172.stm |title=Gazza axed and flies home |date=1 June 1998 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=11 September 2012}}</ref> On 18 November, he started in the 2–0 friendly win against the ] at Wembley Stadium.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.englandstats.com/matches.php?mid=754 |title=England 2–0 Czech Republic |date=18 November 1998 |work=EnglandStats.com |publisher=England International Database |access-date=11 September 2013}}</ref> This turned out to be Dublin's last cap for his country.<ref name="DublinEngStats">{{Englandstats|ref=y|access-date=11 September 2013}}</ref> He won four caps for England but did not score any goals.<ref name="DublinEngStats"/>


Dublin played his final game on 4 May 2008, featuring in Norwich's 4-1 loss to Sheffield Wednesday in front of 36,208 fans at ] – the highest ] attendance that season.<ref name="Wednesday" /> When he was taken off in the 66th minute, Dublin received a standing ovation from both sets of supporters, players and referee ].


== Career statistics ==
==After football==
Since retiring Dublin has worked in the media as a pundit for ]. He made his debut during the Bristol City vs Hull City play off final and is set to be a pundit for premier league games.


==Career statistics== === Club ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
{{Football player statistics 1|YY}}
|+Appearances and goals by club, season and competition<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dion Dublin {{!}} Football Stats {{!}} No Club {{!}} Age 54 {{!}} 1988–2008 {{!}} Soccer Base |url=https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=2176 |access-date=2023-09-20 |website=www.soccerbase.com}}</ref>
{{Football player statistics 2|ENG|YY}}
! rowspan="2" |Club
! rowspan="2" |Season
! colspan="3" |League
! colspan="2" |Domestic Cup
! colspan="2" |]
! colspan="2" |]
! colspan="2" |Total
|- |-
!Division
|]||]||]||0||0||||||||||||||||
!Apps
!Goals
!Apps
!Goals
!Apps
!Goals
!Apps
!Goals
!Apps
!Goals
|- |-
| rowspan="3" |]
|]||rowspan="4"|]||rowspan="2"|]||21||6||||||||||||||||
|]
|]
|7
|1
| colspan="2" |—
| colspan="2" |—
| colspan="2" |—
|7
|1
|- |-
|]
|]||46||15||||||||||||||||
|Premier League
|5
|1
|2
|0
|1
|1
|1
|0
|9
|2
|- |-
! colspan="2" |Total
|]||]||46||16||||||||||||||||
!13
!2
!2
!0
!1
!1
!1
!0
!16
!3
|- |-
| rowspan="6" |]
|]||]||43||15||||||||||||||||
|]
|Premier League
|31
|13
|0
|0
|1
|0
| colspan="2" |—
|32
|13
|- |-
|]
|]||rowspan="2"|]||rowspan="2"|]||7||1||||||||||||||||
|Premier League
|34
|14
|0
|0
|0
|0
| colspan="2" |—
|34
|14
|- |-
|]
|]||5||1||||||||||||||||
|Premier League
|34
|13
|0
|0
|0
|0
| colspan="2" |—
|34
|13
|- |-
|]
|]||rowspan="5"|]||rowspan="5"|]||31||13||||||||||||||||
|Premier League
|36
|18
|4
|2
|1
|0
| colspan="2" |—
|41
|20
|- |-
|]
|]||34||14||||||||||||||||
|Premier League
|10
|3
|0
|0
|0
|0
| colspan="2" |—
|10
|3
|- |-
! colspan="2" |Total
|]||34||13||||||||||||||||
!145
!61
!4
!2
!2
!0
! colspan="2" |—
!151
!63
|- |-
| rowspan="7" |]
|]||36||18||||||||||||||||
|]
|Premier League
|24
|9
|0
|0
|0
|0
|0
|0
|24
|9
|- |-
|]
|]||10||3||||||||||||||||
|Premier League
|26
|12
|3
|1
|3
|2
|3
|1
|35
|16
|- |-
|]
|]||rowspan="4"|]||rowspan="4"|]||24||11||||||||||||||||
|Premier League
|33
|8
|3
|0
|1
|0
|3
|1
|40
|9
|- |-
|]
|]||26||12||||||||||||||||
|Premier League
|21
|4
|0
|0
|2
|1
|7
|1
|30
|6
|- |-
|]
|]||33||8||||||||||||||||
|Premier League
|28
|10
|1
|0
|4
|4
|2
|0
|35
|14
|- |-
|]
|]||21||4||||||||||||||||
|Premier League
|23
|3
|0
|0
|5
|0
|0
|0
|28
|3
|- |-
! colspan="2" |Total
|]||]||]||5||2||||||||||||||||
!155
!46
!7
!1
!15
!7
!15
!3
!192
!57
|- |-
|] (loan)
|]||rowspan="2"|]||rowspan="2"|]||28||10||||||||||||||||
|]
|]
|5
|2
|0
|0
|0
|0
| colspan="2" |—
|5
|2
|- |-
| rowspan="3" |]
|]||23||3||||||||||||||||
|]
|]
|37
|5
|5
|1
|0
|0
| colspan="2" |—
|42
|6
|- |-
|]
|]||rowspan="2"|]||rowspan="2"|]||37||5||||||||||||||||
|Championship
|21
|0
|0
|0
|2
|0
| colspan="2" |—
|23
|0
|- |-
! colspan="2" |Total
|]||21||0||||||||||||||||
!58
{{Football player statistics 2|SCO|YY}}
!5
!5
!1
!2
!0
! colspan="2" |—
!65
!6
|- |-
|]
|]||]||]||11||1||||||||||||||||
|]
{{Football player statistics 2|ENG|YY}}
|]
|10
|1
|0
|0
|0
|0
| colspan="2" |—
|10
|1
|- |-
|]||rowspan="2"|]||rowspan="2"|]||33||5|||||||||||||||| | rowspan="3" |]
|]
|Championship
|33
|5
|4
|2
|1
|0
| colspan="2" |—
|38
|7
|- |-
|]
|]||37||7||||||||||||||||
|Championship
{{Football player statistics 3|2|ENG}}601||182||||||||||||||||
|37
{{Football player statistics 4|SCO}}11||1||||||||||||||||
|7
{{Football player statistics 5}}612||183||||||||||||||||
|2
|1
|2
|1
| colspan="2" |—
|41
|9
|-
! colspan="2" |Total
!70
!12
!6
!3
!3
!1
! colspan="2" |—
!79
!16
|-
! colspan="3" |Career total
!455
!125
!24
!7
!23
!9
!16
!3
!503
!148
|} |}

=== International ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Appearances and goals by national team and year
!National team
!Year
!Apps
!Goals
|-
|]
|1998
|4
|0
|-
! colspan="2" |Total
!4
!0
|}

==Television career==
Since retiring from football, Dublin has worked in the media as a pundit for ]. As well as appearing on '']'' with ], Dublin has commentated on a number of games including the ] games with ]. He has also been a member of the panel on ]'s ''Fighting Talk''. He has also co-presented '']'' on BBC Radio 5 Live, Match of the Day 2 and was also a regular on ]'s '']'' in the East region. He joined ] and ] on '']'' in 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2015/dion-dublin-homes-under-hammer|title=Dion Dublin joins BBC One Daytime show Homes Under The Hammer – Media Centre|website=BBC}}</ref>

Also for the ], he has appeared as a regular pundit for ] namely on '']'', '']'' or '']''. He also occasionally provides co-commentary on live televised ] games.

In August 2021 it was announced that Dublin would be a competitor on BBC's '']''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/reality-tv/celebrity-masterchef-2021-line-up/|title=Celebrity MasterChef 2021 line-up: Meet the 20 contestants confirmed for series 16|website=Radio Times}}</ref> He reached the final.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000zpvy|title=BBC One – Celebrity MasterChef, Series 16, Episode 17|website=BBC |date=16 September 2021 |access-date=16 September 2021}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Away from football, during his spell with Norwich,<ref name="Ocean">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/9409982.stm |website=BBC News |title=Dublin reveals musical side |date=28 February 2011 }}</ref> he invented a percussion instrument called The Dube,<ref name="vice">{{cite web |title=Dion Dublin has Created a Brand New Instrument Called The Dube |url=https://www.vice.com/en_uk/article/rbxeq4/youneedtohearthis-dion-dublin-an-ex-premiere-league-player-has-created-a-brand-new-instrument |website=vice.com |access-date=29 May 2020 |date=12 June 2014}}</ref> a form of ]. In 2011, he accompanied ] during a gig at the ].<ref name="Ocean"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.musicradar.com/news/drums/video-dion-dublin-plays-the-dube-with-ocean-colour-scene-392030|title=VIDEO: Dion Dublin plays The Dube with Ocean Colour Scene|website=MusicRadar.com|date=4 March 2011}}</ref>

In July 2021, Dublin was appointed as a club director at former club ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/uk-sports/2021/07/15/dion-dublin-appointed-director-of-former-club-cambridge/|title=Dion Dublin appointed director of former club Cambridge|website=shropshirestar.com|date=15 July 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57849791|title=Ex-Man Utd forward returns to Cambridge|website=BBC Sport}}</ref>

==Honours==
'''Cambridge United'''
*]: ]<ref name=91-champions/>

'''Manchester United'''
*]: ]<ref name=PL>{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/players/338/Dion-Dublin/overview |title=Dion Dublin: Overview |publisher=Premier League |access-date=16 April 2018}}</ref>
*]: ]

'''Aston Villa'''
*]: ]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/aston-villa/3011199/Angel-carries-Villa-home.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/aston-villa/3011199/Angel-carries-Villa-home.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Angel carries Villa home |work=The Telegraph |date=21 August 2001 |access-date=12 September 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

'''Celtic'''
*]: ]<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2295887/The-teams-Gordon-Strachan-built-at-Celtic.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2295887/The-teams-Gordon-Strachan-built-at-Celtic.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=The teams Gordon Strachan built at Celtic|last=Grahame|first=Ewing|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|location=London|date=30 March 2008|access-date=4 June 2018|issn=0307-1235}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
*]: ]<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/scot_cups/4807338.stm|title=Dunfermline 0-3 Celtic|date=19 March 2006|access-date=4 June 2018}}</ref>

'''Individual'''
*]: ]<ref name=PL/>
*]: ], ]<ref name=PL/>
*] Hall of Fame<ref>{{cite web |title=Coventry City {{!}} Club {{!}} History {{!}} History {{!}} Hall of Fame |url=http://www.ccfc.co.uk/page/History/0,,10269~1030484,00.html |date=22 July 2012 |access-date=22 August 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722023422/http://www.ccfc.co.uk/page/History/0%2C%2C10269~1030484%2C00.html |archive-date=22 July 2012 }}</ref>


==References== ==References==
{{reflist|2}} {{Reflist}}

*{{soccerbase|id=2176|name=Dion Dublin}}
==External links==
{{commons category}}
* *


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Latest revision as of 07:24, 14 January 2025

English footballer (born 1969)

Dion Dublin
Dublin with Norwich City in 2008
Personal information
Full name Dion Dublin
Date of birth (1969-04-22) 22 April 1969 (age 55)
Place of birth Leicester, England
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Position(s) Centre-forward
Centre-back
Team information
Current team Cambridge United
(Club Director)
Youth career
Wigston Fields
1985–1988 Norwich City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1988–1992 Cambridge United 156 (52)
1988 → Barnet (loan) 1 (0)
1988 → Wycombe Wanderers (loan) 2 (0)
1992–1994 Manchester United 12 (2)
1994–1998 Coventry City 145 (61)
1998–2004 Aston Villa 155 (48)
2002 → Millwall (loan) 5 (2)
2004–2006 Leicester City 58 (5)
2006 Celtic 11 (1)
2006–2008 Norwich City 70 (12)
Total 615 (183)
International career
1998 England 4 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Dion Dublin (born 22 April 1969) is an English former professional footballer, television presenter and pundit. He is a club director of Cambridge United.

As a player he was a centre-forward, notably playing in the Premier League for Manchester United, Coventry City and Aston Villa. He also had spells in the Scottish Premiership with Celtic, in the Conference with Wycombe Wanderers, and in The Football League with Cambridge United, Barnet, Millwall, Leicester City and Norwich City. He was capped four times for England.

Following his retirement from football, Dublin moved into the entertainment business. He is also an amateur percussionist, and invented a percussion instrument called "The Dube". In 2011, he accompanied Ocean Colour Scene in a gig at the University of East Anglia, Norwich. In 2015, he joined the presenting team on the BBC One daytime show Homes Under the Hammer and has appeared as a regular pundit for BBC Sport on Football Focus, Match of the Day and Final Score. He also occasionally provides co-commentary on live televised FA Cup games.

Club career

Norwich City

Dublin was born in Leicester. While at school he played for several Leicestershire youth teams, including Wigston Fields and Thurmaston Magpies. He then went on to begin his professional footballing career with Norwich City after leaving school in 1985, but never made a first-team appearance and was released by the club in 1988.

Cambridge United

In August 1988, Dublin joined Cambridge United on a free transfer, as a centre-forward, which had been his position at Norwich City. However, due to injuries he had to make a number of appearances at centre-half. His prolific goalscoring helped United to successive promotions. During the 1988–89 season, Dublin was then loaned out for short spells with Barnet and Wycombe Wanderers. The 1989–90 season saw Cambridge promoted from the Fourth Division via the play-offs, when Dublin became the first ever scorer in a Wembley play-off final.

In the 1990–91 season, the club were champions of the Third Division, and the club also reached the quarter-final of the FA Cup in both seasons, with Dublin scoring at Arsenal in 1991. In the 1991–92 season, he played a big part in helping Cambridge to their highest ever finishing position in the football league, by finishing in fifth place in the last season of the old Second Division, but when Cambridge failed to win promotion to the top flight via the play-offs Dublin was put up for sale. He has since spoken many times of his affection for Cambridge United.

Manchester United

Having seen Dublin in a cup tie, Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson signed him for £1 million on 7 August 1992, fighting off competition from Chelsea and Everton. Dublin was something of a surprise purchase for United, after Ferguson had tried to sign Alan Shearer from Southampton but lost out to Blackburn Rovers.

He scored in United's fourth Premier League game of the 1992–93 season, a last minute winner in United's first Premier league victory – 1–0 against Southampton at The Dell. However, on 2 September, he suffered a broken leg against Crystal Palace in a 1–0 win at Old Trafford, after a tackle by Eric Young, and was out of action for six months. By the time he had recovered, however, United had signed Eric Cantona and the Frenchman was firmly established as first choice strike partner to Mark Hughes. United won the league that season for the first time since 1967, but Dublin failed to make the 10 Premier League appearances required to automatically gain a title winner's medal. However, he was given a medal as a result of special dispensation from the Premier League.

In the 1993–94 season, Dublin regained his fitness, but his first team chances were restricted by the successful partnership of Cantona and Hughes. In December 1993, Ferguson agreed a deal with Everton manager Howard Kendall, that would have seen Dublin moving to Goodison Park, but a member of Everton's board of directors, apparently feeling that Dublin was not worth the money Kendall had offered United, intervened to prevent the transfer going through – this dispute sparked Kendall's resignation as manager. Dublin would remain a United player for another nine months, but never managed to claim a regular place in the first team.

He managed five league appearances that season, scoring once in a 3–2 home win over Oldham Athletic in early April, his goal helping secure a vital victory in the title run-in during a spell when United started to drop points and Blackburn Rovers were closing in on them. He also managed a further goal in the Football League Cup second round first leg, as United were beaten 2–1 by Stoke City at the Victoria Ground. The goal against Oldham was the only competitive goal that Dublin scored for United at Old Trafford. He was left out of the FA Cup winning team against Chelsea and failed to make enough appearances to merit another Premier League title winners medal. In September 1994, he was sold to Coventry City for £2 million – a record signing for Coventry City at the time – and also one of the largest fees received by Manchester United.

Coventry City

In four years with Coventry, Dublin established himself as one of the Premier League's top strikers and during the 1997–98 season won the first of his four full England caps. That season, he equalled the Coventry City record for most goals in a top division season, with 23 goals in all competitions.

Following Phil Neal's departure in 1995, the arrival of Ron Atkinson and Gordon Strachan would see Dublin fit into an attacking team in the typical Atkinson mould. It included the likes of Noel Whelan, John Salako and Darren Huckerby to add to the already attack minded Peter Ndlovu. The addition of Gary McAllister, following UEFA Euro 1996, should have provided mid-table stability, but the team's defensive frailties often undermined Dublin's scoring at the other end. This culminated in possibly one of the greatest escapes in Premier League history in May 1997. Despite having won away to Liverpool (Dublin scoring in the dying seconds) and at home to Chelsea at the start of April, the Sky Blues could only manage two points from their following three games. City went into the final day second from bottom of the table, needing not only to beat Tottenham away from home, but also for results elsewhere in the league to go their way for them to escape relegation. They achieved the most unlikely of escapes; first-half goals from Dublin and Paul Williams gave Coventry a 2–1 win at White Hart Lane, while Sunderland lost at Wimbledon and Middlesbrough could only manage a draw at Leeds. Coventry finished the season in 17th place, one point outside the relegation zone.

The following season, the Sky Blues improved at home and enjoyed a season of mid-table security. Dublin formed an impressive partnership with Darren Huckerby which not only produced some memorable goals, but also propelled the Sky Blues to the FA Cup sixth round against Sheffield United; a game they narrowly lost in a penalty shoot-out. On 8 November 1997, Dublin scored one of the most bizarre goals in Premier League history. Early in the match against Newcastle, goalkeeper Shay Given collected a cross from the right and placed the ball in front of him. The ball was still in play, and Dublin, who had attempted to meet the cross and was now behind Given, reappeared and calmly slotted the ball into the empty goal. This led to the joke: "Shay Given, the only Irishman who doesn't know where Dublin is." The match ended 2-2, with Dublin also scoring City's second goal in the second half. The 1997–98 season also saw Dublin share elite status as the Premier League's top scorer with Blackburn Rovers' Chris Sutton and Liverpool's Michael Owen – each Englishman scoring 18 league goals. During this season, Blackburn manager Roy Hodgson tabled a bid which Dublin rejected. He remained at Highfield Road and contributed to Coventry's best finish to date in the Premiership (11th).

Aston Villa

Dublin was controversially excluded from the England 1998 FIFA World Cup squad, despite being the Premier League's joint top-scorer in the 1997–98 season. However, his exploits at club level were still attracting significant attention, and in the autumn of 1998, he chose to move to Aston Villa for £5.75 million. In his first four games for the club, he would score seven goals, including a memorable hat-trick against Southampton in only his second game for Villa. As a result, he is one of only six players to score in the first four consecutive games for a Premier League club.

In December 1999, while playing for Aston Villa against Sheffield Wednesday, he sustained a life-threatening broken neck, as a result of which he permanently has a titanium plate holding three neck vertebrae together. Just days before suffering this injury, it was reported in the News of the World that Dublin would soon be sold by Aston Villa for a fee of around £6 million as the club looked to finance a fall in its share value as a result of manager John Gregory's heavy expenditure on players.

However, the injury did not end Dublin's career and he was back in action three months later.

In April 2000, a week after returning to the team, he helped Aston Villa reach their first FA Cup final in 43 years, which they lost 1–0 against Chelsea, scoring a penalty in the semi-final shoot-out against Bolton Wanderers.

Faced with competition for a first-team place by new signings Juan Pablo Ángel and Peter Crouch, Dublin spent several weeks on loan at First Division Millwall towards the end of the 2001–02 season. In his time there, he scored two goals, against Stockport County and Grimsby Town in five league matches to help them into the play-offs, where despite Dublin's goal in the first leg of the semi-final, against Villa's arch rivals Birmingham City, Millwall lost 2–1 on aggregate. Following Millwall's elimination from the play-offs, Dublin returned to Aston Villa in time for their final game of the season, against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. He replaced Darius Vassell in the 84th minute and scored Villa's third goal in a 3–1 win.

Dublin once again found himself a first-choice striker at the start of the 2002–03 season, partnering Vassell up front. In March 2003, he was sent off at Villa Park for a headbutt on Robbie Savage in the Birmingham derby match, which ended 2–0 to Birmingham City.

Leicester City

When his contract expired in the summer of 2004, he was given a free transfer. He was signed by Leicester City, who had been relegated from the Premier League to the Championship. In his first season with the club, he scored only four goals in 38 competitive matches. During the 2005–06 season, Dublin lost his place as the team's main striker, but continued to appear as a defender. His contract at Leicester City was terminated by mutual consent on 30 January 2006.

Celtic

He was snapped up quickly by then Celtic manager Gordon Strachan, to cover for the loss of Chris Sutton, on a contract until the end of the season. At Celtic, Dublin achieved double success, with Scottish League Cup and Scottish Premier League winner's medals. On 19 March 2006, Dublin came on as a substitute and scored the final goal as Celtic defeated Dunfermline 3–0 to win the Scottish League Cup final, and also played enough matches with Celtic to merit a title medal. In the league, he made three league starts and eight substitute appearances for Celtic, scoring once against Kilmarnock on 9 April 2006 in a 4–1 win at Rugby Park. Despite one or two decent performances for the Parkhead outfit, Dublin was released by Strachan in May 2006.

Return to Norwich City

Dublin battling in the air against Tom Kemp in the FA Cup game with Tamworth.

On 20 September 2006, Norwich City announced that Dublin had joined them until the end of the 2006–07 season. It marked a return, almost 20 years after leaving, for Dublin to the club where he began his career. He made his debut on 23 September 2006 when he came on as substitute against Plymouth Argyle. He scored his first competitive goal in Norwich City colours in a 3–3 draw against Queens Park Rangers on 14 October 2006 at Loftus Road. Steve Wilson cited Dublin as the main inspiration behind Norwich's 4–1 FA Cup 3rd Round win at Tamworth, in which the striker scored two goals and set up numerous chances for other teammates.

Dublin was an important figure in Norwich securing safety from relegation to League One and the supporters recognised his contribution by voting him in second place in the Norwich City player of the year award, and on 23 May 2007 he ended speculation about his future by signing a new one-year contract at Norwich, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2007–08 season. On 2 September 2007, while working as a pundit on a match between Aston Villa and Chelsea, Dublin said that this season would be his last as a professional footballer, citing the fact that his "bones have started to talk to him" as the reason, meaning that he did not think his body can handle another season.

"It was incredible at Hillsborough. If you think of the stadia I could've retired at, away from Norwich of course, with the history and the feeling, then Sheffield Wednesday was the perfect place".

Dion Dublin
Dion applauds Norwich City fans before kick-off in his final appearance for the Canaries, Hillsborough, 4 May 2008

In the spring of 2008, Dublin was approached by Jimmy Quinn, then manager of Cambridge United, about joining his old club for the 2008–09 season. However, the player would not change his mind about retiring. He was voted the club's Player of the Year and awarded the Barry Butler trophy on 26 April 2008 in his final season as a footballer, at his penultimate game, and on his final appearance at Carrow Road. Dublin played his final game on 4 May 2008, featuring in Norwich's 4–1 loss to Sheffield Wednesday in front of 36,208 fans at Hillsborough – the highest Championship attendance that season. When he was taken off in the 66th minute, Dublin received a standing ovation from both sets of supporters and players, and referee Mark Clattenburg.

International career

Dublin earned his first cap for England on 11 February 1998, playing the whole 90 minutes in the 2–0 friendly defeat to Chile at Wembley Stadium. In the run-up to the 1998 FIFA World Cup, Dublin played in the King Hassan II International Cup Tournament in May, starting in the 1–0 win against Morocco, and coming off the bench in 0–0 draw with Belgium, a game England lost on penalties. Despite showing good form and versatility throughout the season, including finishing joint top scorer in the Premier League with 18 goals, Glenn Hoddle included Les Ferdinand ahead of Dublin in his 22-man squad for the tournament in France. On 18 November, he started in the 2–0 friendly win against the Czech Republic at Wembley Stadium. This turned out to be Dublin's last cap for his country. He won four caps for England but did not score any goals.


Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Domestic Cup League Cup Europe Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Manchester United 1992–93 Premier League 7 1 — — — 7 1
1993–94 Premier League 5 1 2 0 1 1 1 0 9 2
Total 13 2 2 0 1 1 1 0 16 3
Coventry City 1994–95 Premier League 31 13 0 0 1 0 — 32 13
1995–96 Premier League 34 14 0 0 0 0 — 34 14
1996–97 Premier League 34 13 0 0 0 0 — 34 13
1997–98 Premier League 36 18 4 2 1 0 — 41 20
1998–99 Premier League 10 3 0 0 0 0 — 10 3
Total 145 61 4 2 2 0 — 151 63
Aston Villa 1998–99 Premier League 24 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 24 9
1999–00 Premier League 26 12 3 1 3 2 3 1 35 16
2000–01 Premier League 33 8 3 0 1 0 3 1 40 9
2001–02 Premier League 21 4 0 0 2 1 7 1 30 6
2002–03 Premier League 28 10 1 0 4 4 2 0 35 14
2003–04 Premier League 23 3 0 0 5 0 0 0 28 3
Total 155 46 7 1 15 7 15 3 192 57
Millwall (loan) 2001–02 First Division 5 2 0 0 0 0 — 5 2
Leicester City 2004–05 Championship 37 5 5 1 0 0 — 42 6
2005–06 Championship 21 0 0 0 2 0 — 23 0
Total 58 5 5 1 2 0 — 65 6
Celtic 2005–06 Scottish Premier League 10 1 0 0 0 0 — 10 1
Norwich City 2006–07 Championship 33 5 4 2 1 0 — 38 7
2007–08 Championship 37 7 2 1 2 1 — 41 9
Total 70 12 6 3 3 1 — 79 16
Career total 455 125 24 7 23 9 16 3 503 148

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
England 1998 4 0
Total 4 0

Television career

Since retiring from football, Dublin has worked in the media as a pundit for Sky Sports. As well as appearing on Ford Super Sunday with Richard Keys, Dublin has commentated on a number of games including the UEFA Champions League games with Martin Tyler. He has also been a member of the panel on BBC Radio 5 Live's Fighting Talk. He has also co-presented 606 on BBC Radio 5 Live, Match of the Day 2 and was also a regular on BBC One's Late Kick Off in the East region. He joined Lucy Alexander and Martin Roberts on Homes Under the Hammer in 2015.

Also for the BBC, he has appeared as a regular pundit for BBC Sport namely on Football Focus, Match of the Day or Final Score. He also occasionally provides co-commentary on live televised FA Cup games.

In August 2021 it was announced that Dublin would be a competitor on BBC's Celebrity MasterChef. He reached the final.

Personal life

Away from football, during his spell with Norwich, he invented a percussion instrument called The Dube, a form of cajón. In 2011, he accompanied Ocean Colour Scene during a gig at the University of East Anglia.

In July 2021, Dublin was appointed as a club director at former club Cambridge United.

Honours

Cambridge United

Manchester United

Aston Villa

Celtic

Individual

References

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  2. Dion Dublin at Soccerbase
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  49. "BBC One – Celebrity MasterChef, Series 16, Episode 17". BBC. 16 September 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
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External links

Awards
Premier League Golden Boot
Coventry City F.C. Player of the Year
Coventry City F.C. Hall of Fame
Cambridge United F.C. – Hall of Fame inductees
2016
2017
2018
2019
Norwich City F.C. Player of the Season
Norwich City F.C. – Hall of Fame inductees
2002
2003
2006
2009
2012
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