Can it be possible that Sky Blues star of the 1990s (and Association member) Dion Dublin celebrates his 55th birthday today? Dion was born in Leicester on April 22, 1969, and had a long football career that lasted from 1988 to 2008, featuring over 750 first-class appearances, beginning (as a trainee) and concluding with Norwich City. He has 230 goals for eight different clubs and is an England international (four caps).
DD joined CCFPA in November 2016 after being signed up by our Membership Sec. Sarah-Jane Morris (left) at the Sky Blues’ 2-0 win against Chesterfield at the Ricoh. Dion joined our’special guest’ for the day, ‘Cov Kid’ and two-time Sky Blue Gary McSheffrey, and club host Brian ‘Harry’ Roberts (both CCFPA members), in touring the supporters lounges before the game (below right).
Dion arrived at Highfield Road in September 1994 for £2 million from Manchester United, where he had appeared just seventeen times (three goals) in two seasons following a £1 million move from Cambridge United, where he had made his name scoring more than 70 goals in over 200 first-team appearances.
With the Sky Blues, he joined a talented team and contributed significantly to memorable games and goals. In total, DD scored 72 Sky Blue goals throughout 171 appearances in all competitions.
His Sky Blue goals were frequently accompanied by a signature scoring salute from Gary McAllister and now fellow CCFPA members Darren Huckerby and Noel Whelan, and he was a lethal six-yard box player with his head from crosses and corners.
Dion left CCFC for nearby rivals Aston Villa in November 1998 for £5.75 million, scoring an additional 59 goals in 190 games. Dion finished his career at Millwall (loan 2002), Leicester City (2004-06), Celtic (2006), and Norwich City (2006-08).
After hanging up his boots, he had a successful media career as a football pundit and ‘Homes Under The Hammer’ presenter, as well as, at one point, raising the profile of his ‘Dube’ (a percussion instrument he invented).
Happy Birthday, Dion! We hope to see you again at the CBS Arena in due course.
For some of DD’s best Sky Blues moments, click on the image below (thanks to former CCFPA committee member Dean Nelson).
