Quickfire Questions: Dion Dublin

Former Premier League player Dion Dublin spoke to UCFB about his incredible footballing in career at our Future Leaders Conference.

Dion was the keynote speaker at the conference, held at St George’s Park, offering advice to students about forging a career within the sports industry.

While at the conference, he answered some quickfire questions about his life in football.

One player you’d have liked to have played with?

That would have been Glenn Hoddle. One of my heroes. Not that I made many runs in my career as a centre forward, but I think he would’ve found me.

If you weren’t a footballer, what career path would you have taken?

I would’ve hoped to have been a basketball player. At the age of 16 I had a choice of playing for Leicester U16s basketball or Norwich City as a professional footballer. I chose football, I hope I was right.

Biggest disappointment of your career?

I had 22 years as a professional footballer, so disappointments were many. However, to play for 22 years, I overcame most of them.

I wish I hadn’t broken my leg at Manchester United. I always wonder if I’d have been able to keep those standards up and score that many goals and be there for 19 years.

I also would’ve liked a little bit of a longer England career. I got four caps, but I wish I’d got more. I felt I could’ve added to the England team.

Favourite formation?

4-4-2. Easy. Big man and little man. I do the flicking, they do the running. Perfect.

Advice for someone wanting to work in sport?

Make sacrifices. Give up what’s not going to help you move forward and choose the right paths.

Best moment in your career?

There’s two. Walking out for Cambridge United, 1990. First Play-Off Final, Cambridge United v Chesterfield. 26,000 people in the Old Wembley. Cambridge win 1-0 and I score the only goal.

There’s also walking out with a number nine on my back and three lions on my chest, representing my country. That was pretty special too.

What motivates you?

Breathing, walking, talking. Being healthy, being lucky, working hard and earning the right to achieve. I like to go to work, I like to go to the gym, not that you’d know. But working hard and getting the rewards for working hard.

Best thing about working in football?

As a player, you’re playing a game of football and getting paid to do it. Scoring a goal is the best feeling ever. But knowing that you can pay your sport and get paid for it to support your family, you can’t knock it.

Now I’m doing the same thing by talking rubbish on the telly and getting paid for it. Why not? And that’s without pre-season which is great!