Kieron Dyer has dedicated Southend United's stunning 6-1 National League win at Gateshead to the organ donor who saved his life, as he marked the third anniversary of his life-saving liver transplant. The 47-year-old former England midfielder revealed he had only weeks to live when, after devastating false alarms, he finally received a successful match.
The donor's sister has since been in touch with the Southend boss, who spoke candidly about making the most of his second chance and how his life-changing experience helps him keep the pressures of football firmly in perspective.
A powerful letter from the donor's sister
Dyer said: "For me to be alive, someone's had to have their life taken away. 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."
"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."
"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."
Cherishing every moment
Dyer added: "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."
"I was in hospital for three months and every day you're getting weaker and weaker. I had a false alarm where the organ wasn't right for me. I probably only had weeks before I ran out of time so it gives you a completely different perspective on life - you can't take any day for granted and it makes you cherish every moment."
Southend's promotion push continues
Second-placed Southend go in search of a sixth game unbeaten at home to Barrow as they look to close the three-point gap to leaders Boreham Wood.
After his side's historic six-goal first-half salvo against Lee Cattermole's men, Dyer added: "When the fourth goal went in I didn't know whether I should celebrate anymore. 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?'"
After a slow start following relegation, Barrow have taken eight points from the last five games to climb away from the drop zone. Boss Adam Murray said: "We've been really pleased with where our performance levels are at."
