CET: Dublin sad to see city in L1 (13 Viewers)

[Astute]

It is not that I disagree with what is being said, but he always gave 100% for us, even playing in defence when needed. Never complained when this happened and was even our best defender. He never always got 100% of support from the fans and was treated like sh!t by the board, then is vilified for not playing a game after being told he is not wanted anymore. He would have been an England player and got a lot more caps if he would have gone to a bigger club earlier. If he would have refused to play for us to get a move whilst being backed by the fans and board I would see it differently. That was not the case.

If you always gave your full effort at work and you were told you were not wanted anymore, although they still needed you, would you still go to work with a smile on your face and give 100% as usual?

 

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[Real]

It is not that I disagree with what is being said, but he always gave 100% for us, even playing in defence when needed. Never complained when this happened and was even our best defender. He never always got 100% of support from the fans and was treated like sh!t by the board, then is vilified for not playing a game after being told he is not wanted anymore. He would have been an England player and got a lot more caps if he would have gone to a bigger club earlier. If he would have refused to play for us to get a move whilst being backed by the fans and board I would see it differently. That was not the case.

If you always gave your full effort at work and you were told you were not wanted anymore, although they still needed you, would you still go to work with a smile on your face and give 100% as usual?

He was being paid £20,000 a week, are we supposed to be thankful that he gave his all? Seriously. It shouldn't matter his issues with Richardson or the board, he was being paid the largest wages this club had ever paid anyone, and he refused to play. As for being "vilified"? I'm not vilifying him, I've already said he was a good player for us, my point is he isn't a legend, if he did come back one day as manager and lead us back into the Premiership maybe I'll reassess, but no way is he a legend.

And going back to your final point, can you please explain to me how refusing to play for a club who are paying you £20,000 per week is giving 100%?

 

[LastGarrison]

Also remember that he was hardly the hottest property in town when we got him from Uniteds reserves. Coventry City did a LOT for his career and he may never have even had a sniff of England if it wasn't for us taking him on at that stage of his career.

 

[LastGarrison]

If you always gave your full effort at work and you were told you were not wanted anymore, although they still needed you, would you still go to work with a smile on your face and give 100% as usual?

If I came into work today and my boss said look LG, your our best asset and we could do with moving you on to make some money for the company but don't worry you will only be moving 20 minutes down the road to a bigger, more successful company where they will be paying you more wages and you've got a better chance to further your career both at home and internationally, then no I don't think I would have a petulant strop and refuse to work my notice.

 

[smileycov]

^^^Does your boss really call you LASTGARRISON? Ha Ha

 

[Astute]

Also remember that he was hardly the hottest property in town when we got him from Uniteds reserves. Coventry City did a LOT for his career and he may never have even had a sniff of England if it wasn't for us taking him on at that stage of his career.

He lost his place in Manure's team when he broke his leg. He would have shone for any club that signed him. He did more for us than we did for him.

I would say he regrets not playing that cup game. But he was sold at a time most of our funds were being directed towards our chairman. This has been well documented. I am not saying he left on the best of terms, but I can't put the blame fully on him. If his effort and love for our club would have been repaid there is a good chance he would have been at our club until he retired. I love my job and get paid well for what I do, but if my management treated me badly I would leave. Would I work my notice? If I had another job to go to I wouldn't. Respect and loyalty works both ways.

It is us fans that have hardly ever had our loyalty repaid. We never know the truth on what happens and is happening at our club. If whoever runs our club were as loyal to our fans as the fans are as loyal to our club we would be in the Prem and doing well.

 

[TheSnoz]

Dion Dublin, top player and he seems a perfect gent. The club wanted to cash in on him yet still wanted him to play one more time, before he was sold the next day. He did the right thing, as any of you whingers on here would have done in his position. How many of you lot have not turned up to watch your team when you could have? Be interesting to know the truth about that. I was there at the Luton game and recall our wonderful supporters giving Iain Brightwell horrendous abuse, they always pick on somebody, its a sport to them, like bear baiting. Dion Dublin, one of the best players to wear the City shirt in the last 50 years. Just a lot of hate filled moaners on here. What sad lives you must lead.

 

[Houchens Head]

I like Dion Dublin! The man is a City Legend!

 

[mattylad]

How quickly people forget he could have walked away for nothing and instead decided to stay loyal and sign a new deal, having done so the chairman immediately shafted him over by selling him to Villa. Dion quite rightly was furious that his loyalty to the club was thrown back in his face! He only signed for Villa for about 5k a week more than he was on here it was never a greed thing otherwise he would have walked away for nothing and signed for a lot more in wages.

 

[smileycov]

What a load of Tosh....he instigated the move not the other way round. Great player but he left because it suited him. He was not shafted and forced out at all.

 

[Astute]

How quickly people forget he could have walked away for nothing and instead decided to stay loyal and sign a new deal, having done so the chairman immediately shafted him over by selling him to Villa. Dion quite rightly was furious that his loyalty to the club was thrown back in his face! He only signed for Villa for about 5k a week more than he was on here it was never a greed thing otherwise he would have walked away for nothing and signed for a lot more in wages.

I remember when he was coming to the end of his contract. I thought there was no chance of staying as most of the big clubs were interested in him. Couldn't believe it when he decided to stay. I then remember how I felt when he was leaving. But on reflection I could see it was not all his fault. If we had a player like him now we would be in the Prem in a couple of seasons.

It is just a shame how some people make out it was all his fault. Nearly always was a hero of mine and always will be. Just a shame we can't find another one like him.

 

[Astute]

What a load of Tosh....he instigated the move not the other way round. Great player but he left because it suited him. He was not shafted and forced out at all.

Why didn't he leave when out of contract and get a massive signing on fee plus much more in wages then? Did it suit him to stay before then?

 

[smileycov]

Why didn't he leave when out of contract and get a massive signing on fee plus much more in wages then? Did it suit him to stay before then?

Because as i said earlier, a book was published about city. It followed the team around, in it they mentioned Dublin was well hung basically. He got the hump over it and the people that sanctioned it. He had massive fall out and Villa showed interest in him. Then an offer came in that "just about" topped the get out clause in his contract, i am sure he or his agent didnt leak that info.

He was agreat player for us, but do not make out he was forced to leave he wasn't. He choose to not play at Luton.

 

[rob9872]

Bought for £2m gave years of excellent service that we are unlikely to see for a very long time and sold for £6m. I think we can afford the young man one misdemeanour which in truth was probably down to bad advice from his agent who didn't want his golden ticket injured.

Legend? Absolutely in my book and I only have Oggy above him in my all-time favourite players list.

 

[smileycov]

Big Cyrille? Rob

 

[Grendel]

I do think the word legend is overstated. That is for sure.

Dublin was an excellent player beyond doubt. It was also clear at the end that the chairman wanted him out. Relations were strained. Blackburn came in and Dublin did not want it - relationships got worse. So Villa came in and that suited far better and is the reason I suspect for the nonsense I am reading this morning.

Dublin just prior to leaving signed a new contract therefore securing the club a large fee when he left. Now how many modern day legends do we see this from. There was Westwood, well I want to sign but I will wait and see (yes of course Kieron), Marlon King and his holiday blues (but he is a man of impeccable character so let's give him the benefit of the doubt) and of course the fiercely loyal Richard Keogh driven not by motives of extra money I am sure but a desire to be closer to his favourite cable car ride in the Peak District.

No one knows what really happened at the end and who cares? This nonsense about supporters giving their right arm to play for Coventry is missing the point and not because amputees generally do not make great players. It is missing the point as it assumes emotion not impartial business thought. Players are employees no more no less. Two weeks ago we had a major project at work and the key stakeholder was actually leaving the company that week. Guess what he was off sick. It left us with a headache we laughed and moved on.

Off the pitch in business dealings the perfect gentleman - you almost had to persuade him to take what he deserved unlike others of far less stature.

So the word legend is over used. It should be reserved for a select few. Those who stood out, those who made a difference, those that were special.

It should be reserved for the likes of Dion Dublin.

 

[Astute]

Because as i said earlier, a book was published about city. It followed the team around, in it they mentioned Dublin was well hung basically. He got the hump over it and the people that sanctioned it. He had massive fall out and Villa showed interest in him. Then an offer came in that "just about" topped the get out clause in his contract, i am sure he or his agent didnt leak that info.

He was agreat player for us, but do not make out he was forced to leave he wasn't. He choose to not play at Luton.

It is rumoured that he left because of the comment made in the book by Ferguson. Ferguson was the Manure manager, so why not fall out with him?

When he went to Villa there were other teams that wanted him. He took a lower wage to go to them than what was offered elsewhere. Even Liverpool were after him at the time. He didn't want to leave us as his family and himself were settled. We wanted to sell him for the money. He had a 5m clause in his contract. Villa came in with a bid just under 6m for him. He went to Villa so he didn't have to uproot his family. If he didn't go to Villa he would have been sold elsewhere.

Strangely enough he stayed at Villa until he got released about 5 or 6 years after joining them. So his last 2 clubs had him for about 10 years, and he only left Manure after breaking his leg and not being able to get back in their 1st team. Does that sound like a player not loyal to his club?

 

[ccfcway]

the word legend is over used. It should be reserved for a select few. Those who stood out, those who made a difference, those that were special.

It should be reserved for the likes of dion dublin.

agreed ! .

 

[Nonleagueherewecome]

Astute, ithink you're being too kind there. I don't think its the Villa thing that matters, its the refusing to play that is the important part.

I'm sure attitudes would be different if it was David Bell refusing to play, for example. Obviously, no doubt he was a fantastic player but all the "he loved the club, he loved the fans" stuff seems a little sycophantic with how he left.

Identified exactly what the issue was there: he refused to play. That is quite hard to forgive. I can, although I despised him at the time for it, but to have him tell me that "99.9% of City fan's understand" is ever-so-slightly presumptious.

And for extra bitch points: my mate met him at a music festival a few years back where he was promoting his dube. My mate didn't resent the way he left like me, and still idolised him, but said he was disappointed to find that he was quite arrogant and aloof.

 

[Nonleagueherewecome]

I have never had an issue with any player wishing to better himself by moving to a bigger and better club. Villa historically are a bigger and better club than CCFC so I had no issue with him going there. My issue then was his refusal to play. I don't care what other things were going on, he was contracted to play for Coventry City Football Club, and he refused. He gave good service to CCFC over 4 years and we made a good profit on him, but a "legend" who "loved the club & the fans" wouldn't refuse to play.

Well said. He's hoping everyone's forgotten his indiscretion.

 

[smileycov]

I never said he wasnt loyal, just do not make out he is an angel in all this thats all. Look i loved Dublin at the city, just dont agree he was forced out thats all. No biggee Astute, season starts next week......inflattable elephants and all

 

[Astute]

I never said he wasnt loyal, just do not make out he is an angel in all this thats all. Look i loved Dublin at the city, just dont agree he was forced out thats all. No biggee Astute, season starts next week......inflattable elephants and all

Just had a quick look. As you can see it wasn't Dublin after a move. Not saying he was free of guilt for not playing, but also shows our chairman was not guilt free, and was after the money for him....

Dion Dublin was released by Norwich without ever making a first team appearance although he played six times for the Reserves. He joined Kings Lynn before moving onto Cambridge United where his goals (52 in 156 games) helped his side threaten to claim a place in the top flight. Signed by Manchester United for £1million in 1992, he made twelve appearances for the Red Devils scoring twice. Sold to Coventry City, he has played both as a central forward and as a centre-half.

Dion made his 100th league appearance for Coventry on the first day of the 1997/98 season. He marked this occasion with a hat-trick to give Coventry a 3-2 victory over the highly fancied Chelsea. The Sun speculated on 17th December 1997 that Dublin was a target for Bryan Robson's Middlesbrough. Leicester City and Crystal Palace were also rumoured to be interested as Coventry sought to regain some of their money spent on Romanian international striker Moldovan. Dion's impressive form for Coventry City earned him a surprise call-up to Glen Hoddle's England squad for the pre-World Cup friendly against Chile in February 1998 and made his debut in the 2-0 defeat. He seemed to jump above Robbie Fowler, Stan Collymore, Emile Heskey and Chris Sutton in England's pecking order. As transfer deadline day approached, Dion was linked with £ 5million moves to Blackburn and Liverpool (who supposedly were keen on his defensive abilities).

The end of the season saw Dion finish joint top Premiership marksman. His 18 goals being equaled by Chris Sutton and Liverpool's Michael Owen. This resulted in increased transfer speculation with champions Arsenal the media's favourite for Dublin's next destination. According to the Daily Mirror, new Newcastle boss Ruud Gullit has supposedly made a £7million bid for Dion to partner Alan Shearer. The News of the World reported on October 25th 1998 that Blackburn are lining up a £6million bid for Dublin who is supposedly angry with Coventry about new book "Staying Up" written with the approval and co-operation of Coventry chairman Bryan Richardson. In one section, Richardson is involved in alight-hearted conversation with Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson over the size of Dublin's manhood. Although Coventry and Blackburn agreed a £6.75million transfer, Newcastle, Leeds and Aston Villa entered the race making improved offers for Dion's services.

Despite better personal terms offered by Newcastle and Blackburn, Dion opted for Aston Villa so not to disrupt his family as they could stay in the Midlands. He transferred eventually for £5.75 million and made his debut for Villa in the 3-2 home victory over Tottenham on 7th November 1998 where Dion scored twice. A hat trick followed in his second game which was a 4-1 victory over Southampton before getting two in Villa's 4-2 defeat at home to Liverpool. He could have scored a hat-trick for the second week running but his penalty was saved by David James. In between the Southampton and Liverpool games, Dion started for England in their 2-0 victory over the Czech Republic and had an impressive game, suggesting that he might partner Michael Owen in the next England game at the expense of Alan Shearer. Not bad for a Norwich City reject.

 

[fernandopartridge]

Just had a quick look. As you can see it wasn't Dublin after a move. Not saying he was free of guilt for not playing, but also shows our chairman was not guilt free, and was after the money for him....

Dion Dublin was released by Norwich without ever making a first team appearance although he played six times for the Reserves. He joined Kings Lynn before moving onto Cambridge United where his goals (52 in 156 games) helped his side threaten to claim a place in the top flight. Signed by Manchester United for £1million in 1992, he made twelve appearances for the Red Devils scoring twice. Sold to Coventry City, he has played both as a central forward and as a centre-half.

Dion made his 100th league appearance for Coventry on the first day of the 1997/98 season. He marked this occasion with a hat-trick to give Coventry a 3-2 victory over the highly fancied Chelsea. The Sun speculated on 17th December 1997 that Dublin was a target for Bryan Robson's Middlesbrough. Leicester City and Crystal Palace were also rumoured to be interested as Coventry sought to regain some of their money spent on Romanian international striker Moldovan. Dion's impressive form for Coventry City earned him a surprise call-up to Glen Hoddle's England squad for the pre-World Cup friendly against Chile in February 1998 and made his debut in the 2-0 defeat. He seemed to jump above Robbie Fowler, Stan Collymore, Emile Heskey and Chris Sutton in England's pecking order. As transfer deadline day approached, Dion was linked with £ 5million moves to Blackburn and Liverpool (who supposedly were keen on his defensive abilities).

The end of the season saw Dion finish joint top Premiership marksman. His 18 goals being equaled by Chris Sutton and Liverpool's Michael Owen. This resulted in increased transfer speculation with champions Arsenal the media's favourite for Dublin's next destination. According to the Daily Mirror, new Newcastle boss Ruud Gullit has supposedly made a £7million bid for Dion to partner Alan Shearer. The News of the World reported on October 25th 1998 that Blackburn are lining up a £6million bid for Dublin who is supposedly angry with Coventry about new book "Staying Up" written with the approval and co-operation of Coventry chairman Bryan Richardson. In one section, Richardson is involved in alight-hearted conversation with Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson over the size of Dublin's manhood. Although Coventry and Blackburn agreed a £6.75million transfer, Newcastle, Leeds and Aston Villa entered the race making improved offers for Dion's services.

Despite better personal terms offered by Newcastle and Blackburn, Dion opted for Aston Villa so not to disrupt his family as they could stay in the Midlands. He transferred eventually for £5.75 million and made his debut for Villa in the 3-2 home victory over Tottenham on 7th November 1998 where Dion scored twice. A hat trick followed in his second game which was a 4-1 victory over Southampton before getting two in Villa's 4-2 defeat at home to Liverpool. He could have scored a hat-trick for the second week running but his penalty was saved by David James. In between the Southampton and Liverpool games, Dion started for England in their 2-0 victory over the Czech Republic and had an impressive game, suggesting that he might partner Michael Owen in the next England game at the expense of Alan Shearer. Not bad for a Norwich City reject.

Who do you think wrote the release clause into Dublin's contract? Was it him or the club?

'Astute' is a complete misnomer.

 

[rob9872]

Big Cyrille? Rob

Cyrille would be bang up there, but if I could only take one for my team then it would be Dion, despite Cyrille having starred in our greatest ever moment. In fact a poll on who people would take between Cyrille and Dion would be a good one, but I think many would find it difficult to remove the emotion from their answer. I'm not saying that selecting Cyrille is wrong but I think some would for the wrong reason.

 

[Tomh111]

Identified exactly what the issue was there: he refused to play. That is quite hard to forgive. I can, although I despised him at the time for it, but to have him tell me that "99.9% of City fan's understand" is ever-so-slightly presumptious.

And for extra bitch points: my mate met him at a music festival a few years back where he was promoting his dube. My mate didn't resent the way he left like me, and still idolised him, but said he was disappointed to find that he was quite arrogant and aloof.

Just to say I met him at the same music festival and found him to be good humored and up for a laugh. A group of about 20 pissed up teenagers, including myself, stood outside his tent singing football chants and he came out laughing and joking and posed for photos with us all.

 

[Astute]

Who do you think wrote the release clause into Dublin's contract? Was it him or the club?

'Astute' is a complete misnomer.

And it was Dublin that was after the move I suppose :facepalm: As you can see we had already accepted offers for him. Offers from clubs he was not interested in. He only wanted to go to Villa once it was well known our Chairman wanted the cash more than the player.

The name Fernandopartridge makes no sense to me. A very apt name I would say.

 

[sylus]

dion, what can you say about the man that hasn't been said already...a fantastic player for us.true class

 

[fernandopartridge]

And it was Dublin that was after the move I suppose :facepalm: As you can see we had already accepted offers for him. Offers from clubs he was not interested in. He only wanted to go to Villa once it was well known our Chairman wanted the cash more than the player.

The name Fernandopartridge makes no sense to me. A very apt name I would say.

Do you understand the concept of minimum fee release clauses? Clearly not.

 

[Grendel]

And it was Dublin that was after the move I suppose :facepalm: As you can see we had already accepted offers for him. Offers from clubs he was not interested in. He only wanted to go to Villa once it was well known our Chairman wanted the cash more than the player.

The name Fernandopartridge makes no sense to me. A very apt name I would say.

Indeed. His motivation was clearly fuelled by greed which is why he signed the deal in the first place. Perhaps we should reserve legend status for true greats like Clive Platt. Oh hold on he rejected a deal didn't he?

 

[Real]

Dion Dublin, top player and he seems a perfect gent. The club wanted to cash in on him yet still wanted him to play one more time, before he was sold the next day. He did the right thing, as any of you whingers on here would have done in his position. How many of you lot have not turned up to watch your team when you could have?

When the day comes that the club pay me £20,000 a week, I guarantee to turn up and watch every single game.

Be interesting to know the truth about that. I was there at the Luton game and recall our wonderful supporters giving Iain Brightwell horrendous abuse, they always pick on somebody, its a sport to them, like bear baiting. Dion Dublin, one of the best players to wear the City shirt in the last 50 years. Just a lot of hate filled moaners on here. What sad lives you must lead.

I've previously stated Dublin was a good player for us, (when he wasn't refusing to play that is), I certainly don't hate the guy. If not looking at his antics through Sky Blue tinted specs means I am a "hate filled moaner" in your eyes then so be it, but you do realise people can have a difference of opinion without the need for silly name calling don't you.

No one knows what really happened at the end and who cares?

I care, and so did plenty of others who travelled to Luton and heard their Captain who was being paid £20,000 per week had refused to play.

This nonsense about supporters giving their right arm to play for Coventry is missing the point and not because amputees generally do not make great players. It is missing the point as it assumes emotion not impartial business thought. Players are employees no more less

Yet some are claiming he loved the club and using it as a reason to say he is a City legend. Those of us more grounded types see it the same, we were a club employing a player, no more no less.

 

[Grendel]

I use legend as a statement to define quality and status above those around him. Nothing to do with love. David Bell may genuinely love the club who cares?

 

[Astute]

Do you understand the concept of minimum fee release clauses? Clearly not.

Certainly do. Just like the one with Hughes. We found out he had one for over 3m. We got him for £3,000,001. Wasn't even worth the quid.

So now he wasn't loyal because he wanted a clause that would have made us 3m profit? Most of us were learning at the time how bad our chairman was. Would you have prefered him not to have signed another contract for us than to have a way out if needed? He had clubs that wanted him when he signed the contract, and for more than 5m as well.

 

[Grendel]

Do you understand the concept of minimum fee release clauses? Clearly not.

Do you realise the benefit of free agent status. Clearly not.

 

[LastGarrison]

^^^Does your boss really call you LASTGARRISON? Ha Ha

Nope funnily enough he doesn't.

In fact I don't think actually know's my real name as he seems to just call me "You fucking useless bastard".

Bit long winded and not snappy enough for a nickname if you ask me.

 

[Astute]

Do you realise the benefit of free agent status. Clearly not.

This has been forgotten about when this case is mentioned. He would most probably have got a 1m signing on fee approx and also a big wage if he wouldn't have re-signed for us. The Bosman rule was made end of 95 IIRC. This was a few years before he signed his new contract with us. This is why I can't understand people calling him greedy or unloyal. So he didn't play that last cup game for us before he left, being forced out of our club when he didn't want to leave.

Nobody says he did the right thing by not playing the day before he was to become a Villa player, but also can see in a way why he didn't. What did he get in return for his loyalty? But he is seen as the guilty party by some and not Richardson.