“Sir Bobby was like a father to me…and I let him down” – Fascinating interview with ex NUFC star

Kieron Dyer was an exciting player to watch during his spell at Newcastle and when fit, was a key part of the last Toon side to qualify for the Champions League.

Dyer had a chequered history with Newcastle fans to say the least and to this day isn’t particular popular on Tyneside despite an 8 year spell with the club. A recent appearance on the ‘Debate’ didn’t help his case, where he echoed the misplaced belief that Newcastle fans still expect Champions League football now.

Dyer came back into prominence recently after appearing on ‘I’m a celebrity’ and whilst promoting the launch of his new book, has this week appeared the True Geordie Podcast. Whether you like the True Geordie or not, it is a fascinating interview and gives Newcastle fans a great insight into the successful team we had in the mid 2000’s. It is well worth a watch on YouTube:

Here’s a few interesting quotes from the big interview…

“Sir Bobby was like a father to me…and I let him down”

Dyer admits he let Booby down and acknowledges he probably got him sacked after famously refusing to wear the captain’s armband, as Alan Shearer was substituted against Middlesbrough. Dyer admits this was the biggest regret of his career but did provide some context that he felt he wasn’t worthy of the armband and tried to pass it to another player instead.

“I wasn’t professional enough to fulfill my potential”

Dyer was very talented, that was clear, and was devastating when on form. He admits that it took him until he was 28 to realise he had wasted his potential and during his time at Newcastle, he would go out drinking four/five times a week and was the first to leave training. He goes on to admit he was envious of what Gerrard and Lampard achieved as he was ahead of them at the age of 18-21.

“Maybe injuries later in my career were karma…I was too embarrassed to come off so would play through a game with a torn hamstring”

One thing levelled at him was that he was injury prone; culminating with a bad double leg break at West Ham which brought about the end of his career as he never fully recovered or was able to get back to the level he wanted. Dyer said that he wasted his prime with his celebrity lifestyle and injuries may have been karma for that. Dyer does though share an interesting anecdote on how he lost a full season at Newcastle to a misdiagnosis on his hamstring.

From dating Cheryl tweedy to crashing his Ferrari into a club in Newcastle, Dyer certainly was used to being on the front pages as much as the back. Whatever your opinion of him it is worth a watch and provides a great insight into life at Newcastle, with in depth discussions on his options on the likes of Alan Shearer, Craig Bellamy, THAT fight with Lee Bowyer, the late Gary Speed and Graeme Souness. A great but inconsistent player who didn’t quite get what it meant to play for Newcastle is how I remember Dyer; watch the podcast and see if it changes your view on him.

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About Simon Riddlesden

Lifelong Newcastle United fan and East Stand season ticket holder. Observations from a supporter who has followed NUFC during Champions League participation and through relegation, taking me from Milan to Scunthorpe.

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