A FORMER England international footballer has urged people to ‘get their questions ready’ as he prepares to visit a Malvern village this week to speak to the masses about his playing career.
Former Coventry City, Aston Villa and England striker Dion Dublin will make a special appearance at the Bank House Hotel in Bransford on Friday at 7.30pm to talk about his football, music and television career infront of a packed crowd.
The event, hosted by Worcester Police Cricket Club, will also feature comedian Bob Webb.
This will be the first time the 47-year-old forward has visited the village but he’s excited to speak to the public about what it’s really like in the dressing room.
“I’m really looking forward to coming down to Malvern this week. I’ve walked across the famous hills several times before and I can’t wait to tell people the story of what it’s like being a footballer,” he said.
“One thing I like about question and answer sessions is I can walk around with the mic and chat to people, get them to experience what it’s like behind the scenes.
“I like to give audiences the insight and tell them stories about a few of the clubs I have played at.
“People pay a lot of money to come to these events and I like to give the punters value for money. I’d urge all those who are attending to get their questions ready for me – as long as they’re clean questions.”
Dublin has had an illustrious 23-year footballing life, starting out at Norwich City before going on to play for Cambridge United, Manchester United, Coventry City, Villa, Leicester City, Celtic before returning to Norwich to end his career.
He made four appearances for England at international level and retired from football in 2008.
“I’ve still got the England number nine shirt I wore on my debut when I was playing with the likes of Paul Ince and Ian Wright,” Dublin added.
“It was a very emotional day for me and it’s hard to put it into words how special it was to put on the Three Lions shirt.
“We lost the game 2-0 but I didn’t really care about that. To represent my country was the most important thing on the day.”
Dublin is now a familiar face on TV screens across the country as presenter of BBC One’s daytime show Homes Under The Hammer.
The former sharpshooter is also known for inventing ‘The Dube’ – a box shaped percussion instrument and has featured in gigs with BritPop band Ocean Colour Scene and Toploader.
“The idea for The Dube came about because I was always tapping and making rhythms and I still do that now,” Dublin told the Observer.
“I made the first Dube instrument myself out of wood and it all went from there and now there’s going to be a wider range of Dube instruments in the future.
“As for presenting Homes Under The Hammer, during my playing career I bought alot of houses. I wouldn’t say I’m an expert but I’ve got the knowledge of what to do with them.
“I got invited to do a screen test, was put into a home and after it finished they told me I got the job which is great as I really enjoy the show.”
With England winning all three of their warm up games prior to the European Championships which start on Friday, Dublin is confident Roy Hodgson’s men have what it takes to go far.
“I’m optimistic we can get through to at least the quarter-finals but I hope Hodgson plays the English way, the way football is played in the Premier League.
“I don’t want us to play like the Italians or the Spanish as we have the talent to go far.
“I’m really pleased to see Marcus Rashford get the call up but I can’t see him getting a start unless something goes drastically wrong.
“When you look at what Jamie Vardy and Harry Kane have done this season, it’s hard to overlook them both.
“Rashford will probably get some game time, the odd 20-minute cameo, but it’s not going to do him any harm if he doesn’t play. It’s all abut the experience of being at a big tournament.”
Tickets are still available for Dublin’s evening event and cost £25 and include a one course, “local sausages, mashed potato and seasonal vegetables” meal (vegetarian option available).
The tickets can be ordered from Mark Chappell on 07875 668372 .
