Coventry City Player of the Year 1996–97
Premier League Player of the Month January 1998
Premier League Golden Boot 1997–98
Coventry City Player of the Year 1997–98
Coventry City Hall of Fame
England, 3 caps
City fans have mixed feelings about Dion Dublin. He was the club’s leading scorer for four successive seasons and he undoubtedly was a major factor in the club surviving in the Premier League during his stay. However he left the club to join Aston Villa in acrimonious circumstances and lost the respect of many supporters. As a boy he was rejected by his hometown club but was taken on by Norwich City. After five months he was rejected again and moved to Cambridge United where he quickly established himself in John Beck’s side that was rising through the leagues. The tall striker helped them to win the Division 3 championship and scored 73 goals in just over 200 games.
In 1992 he joined Manchester United for £1 million but sadly had the misfortune to break his ankle soon after arriving at Old Trafford. He made only 17 appearances in his two years at United but was a regular for the outstanding reserve side of that time. Phil Neal signed him for Coventry for £1.95 million in September 1994 and he was an immediate success, netting 16 goals. It was really under Gordon Strachan, however, that Dublin blossomed. In 1997-98 season he scored 23 goals, won three England caps, was joint winner of the Golden Boot award for most goals in the Premiership and captained City to 11th place and an FA Cup quarter-final. Despite signing a lucrative contract in the summer of 1998 a clause was included which allowed Dion to consider a move if any club offered over £5 million for him. In October 1998 he looked set to join Blackburn before Villa persuaded him to sign for them for £5.75 million, a new record fee received by City. Despite a very successful start for Villa he won only one further cap. In 1999 he suffered a bad neck injury, which seriously threatened his career, but he recovered and spent almost five years at Villa. In 2004 he joined Leicester on a free transfer and has subsequently played for Celtic and Norwich.
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 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 provides co-commentary on live televised and games, and radio commentary including the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Penalties (8 - 7 scored)
1997-98
28 December 1997 v Manchester United H, Premier League, scored (keeper Kevin Pilkington)
17 January 1998 v Arsenal H, Premier League, scored (keeper David Seaman)
7 February 1998 v Sheffield Wednesday H, Premier League, scored (keeper Kevin Pressman)
21 February 1998 v Barnsley H, Premier League, scored (keeper David Watson)
7 March 1998 v Sheffield United H, FA Cup 6th Round, scored (keeper Alan Kelly)
17 March 1998 v Sheffield United A, FA Cup 6th Round Replay, shootout saved (keeper Alan Kelly)
19 April 1998 v Liverpool H, Premier League, scored (keeper Brad Friedel)
2 May 1998 v Blackburn Rovers H, Premier League, scored (keeper John Filan)
Hat tricks (2)
1995-96
4 December 1995 v Sheffield Wednesday A, Premier League
1997-98
9 August 1997 v Chelsea H, Premier League
Sent off (3)
1996-97
1 January 1997 v Sunderland H, Premier League, violent conduct, kicking out at Michael Bridges
11 January 1997 v Blackburn Rovers A, Premier League, dangerous tackle on Henning Berg
1997-98
28 Septmber 1997 v Blackburn Rovers A, Premier League, violent conduct, elbow on Colin Hendry
Division Three winner 1990–91 with Cambridge United
Premier League winner 1992–93 with Manchester United
FA Charity Shield winner 1994 with Manchester United
UEFA Intertoto Cup winner 2001 with Aston Villa
Scottish Premier League winner 2005–06 with Celtic
Scottish League Cup winner 2005-06 with Celtic
ENGLAND 3 caps
1997-98
11 February 1998 England 0-2 Chile, friendly, at Wembley
27 May 1998 Morocco 0-1 England, King Hassan II Tournament, in Casablanca, replaced
29 May 1998 Belgium 0-0 England (4-3 on pens), King Hassan II Tournament, in Casablanca, substitute
plus 1 cap with Aston Villa (total 4 caps)
