Former Newcastle United star Kieron Dyer has revealed he had an extra special reason to celebrate his Southend United side's 6-1 victory over Gateshead last weekend. The Shrimpers were 6-0 up at half-time against Lee Cattermole's outfit as they kept up their excellent early season form at the top of the National League.
This is Dyer's first foray into management, and the former Newcastle and England star has enjoyed early success at the Roots Hall club. But he dedicated last Saturday's win to a very special person, with the victory coming on the anniversary of his life-saving liver transplant.
Second chance after life-saving surgery
Dyer revealed he only had weeks to live when he finally received a successful match in 2023. The donor's sister has been in touch with the Southend boss, who spoke openly about making the most of his second chance and how his life-changing experience helps him keep the pressures of football firmly in perspective.
"For me to be alive, someone's had to have their life taken away," Dyer said. "I know some of his life, I know his name and I know he had a wife because his sister wrote to me, it was a really powerful letter."
Emotional anniversary tribute
"He was living his best life and just collapsed one day and 24 hours later they faced having to switch off his life support machine because he had no brain function," Dyer added. "Not many people get a second chance at life. I was on my death-bed. I probably only had a few weeks to live. I needed a donor and I'm just thankful to the family."
"The emotions are raw. I was very blessed for the donation so it's always an emotional day on the anniversary of the operation. I always talk to him at night before I go to bed and after the Gateshead match took place on the anniversary, I said 'that one was for you'. It's the most humbling thing ever."
Perspective and pressure
Dyer spent three months in hospital, growing weaker by the day, and had a false alarm when an organ wasn't right for him. He said he probably only had weeks before he ran out of time, giving him a completely different perspective on life.
"You can't take any day for granted and it makes you cherish every moment," he said. The 6-1 win over Gateshead increased the pressure on former Sunderland and Middlesbrough midfielder Lee Cattermole, now in charge of the Heed, and Dyer admits he was keen not to over-celebrate.
"When the fourth goal went in I didn't know whether I should celebrate anymore," he added. "I always think about the other manager and how I'd be feeling so it got to a stage of 'do we stop celebrating here?'"
Dyer made 250 appearances for Newcastle in an eight-year spell on Tyneside, scoring 36 goals after signing from Ipswich Town under Sir Bobby Robson in 1999. He also had spells at West Ham, QPR and Middlesbrough, winning 33 England caps.
