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Dyer Launches Book at Emotional and Intimate Portman Road Event
Saturday, 24th Feb 2018 09:56

Former Blues midfielder and current U16s coach Kieron Dyer launched his autobiography Old Too Soon, Smart Too Late at an exclusive event at Portman Road last night and Chris Brammer was there for TWTD.

There was barely a dry eye in sight by the end of former Blues star Kieron Dyer’s official autobiography launch at Portman Road last night.

Dyer, who recently revealed he had been sexually abused as a child by his great uncle Kenny, held nothing back as he spoke candidly about his life, including the section in Old Too Soon, Smart Too Late, covering the childhood secret that has had a detrimental effect on several relationships with various friends and family members.

The Ipswich-born midfielder, who seemingly had the world at his feet as he broke through at Portman Road - before starring on his debut for England, shortly after his move to Newcastle United — captivated a packed Sir Bobby Robson Suite with brutal honesty, discussing how money, fame and celebrity at times disrupted a promising career, before injuries and missed diagnoses eventually saw him hang up his boots at the age of 34.

Dyer was joined by a number of high-profile guests, including former Town midfielder and compere for the night Simon Milton, ex-team-mate Jermaine Jenas, Johnathan Joseph (DJ Spoony), and I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here camp-mate, Lady Colin Campbell, who all spoke in glowing terms about the man brought up on Dillwyn Street in Ipswich.

Speaking to TWTD prior to the event, Dyer, who cut an emotional figure throughout the evening, said: “It wasn’t tough really [deciding to write the book] and I think a lot of people were surprised how honest I was.


“There are a few home truths in there about certain things and the strange thing was that I’d had the book in my head for three-and-a-half years, but it was about finding the right time to bring it out.

“Given what has come out recently [former youth football coach Barry Bennell was jailed for 30 years recently for numerous offences of sexual abuse against young boys] it was an appropriate time to release the book.

“I have found my story is already helping people, I have been approached by strangers in the street who have told me that their secret is not a secret anymore. My secret is going to help people and that is the main reason for doing it.”

Ghost-written by the Mail on Sunday’s Oliver Holt, who was also a guest at the packed event, the book covers Dyer’s breakthrough at Ipswich, his move to Tyneside, his experiences with England, numerous off-field anecdotes plus much more, including his spells with the likes of Middlesbrough, QPR and West Ham.

Dyer added: “We only had a certain amount of pages and what is so unusual is that I don’t speak that much in the book about the great goals I scored or great games I played in.

“I do tell people though when they ask me about the greatest moments of my career, that making my Ipswich debut and making my England debut are probably the two that stand out.

“But a lot of the book is about my off-field escapades, it’s very honest, and I could probably write two or three books.”

His former team-mate Jenas also spoke to TWTD and spoke highly about his friend who took him under his wing at Newcastle when he joined from Nottingham Forest as a teenager.

“During our years at Newcastle there were times when we were right at the top, finishing in the top four, playing in the Champions League and he played a pivotal role in that success,” said Jenas.

“I think a lot of people underestimated his ability. He could play midfield, he could be the link-man between midfield and attack, and he played right-back at times for Ipswich. He could play anywhere.

“I look at the game now and the role that wing-backs play and then look at how Kieron read the game, the speed, the talent, the skill he had for that role.”

That Magpies’ team under legendary former Town boss Bobby Robson never won anything, but finished third, fourth and fifth during his tenure and reached a UEFA Cup semi-final.

“We were a good team, with three or four really special players, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Inter Milan and Barcelona. We were punching way above our weight.”

Old Too Soon, Smart Too Late was published by Headline on Thursday and is available here.

TWTD Forum poster Superfrans has already read it and has posted a review here.


Photos: ITFC/Chris Brammer



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whosroundisitanyway added 10:41 - Feb 24
Just watching him on Soccer AM.
At least the club still has one ambassador. Part of our precious legacy to hang on to.
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ParisBlue added 12:20 - Feb 24
I remember the first time I saw Kieron play. Home to Bolton, losing 1-0, comes on as sub, picks up the ball in his own half and runs forward shooting just past the post. Never seen anything like it from a Town player so young and clearly a special talent. Would love to see him come through the coaching ranks at PR.

I feel old.
1

Freddies_Ears added 12:49 - Feb 24
Utterly superb, brilliant evening. Kieron was so open and brave in front of friends and family, many of whom he's not always treated well. Jenas added a touch of perspective to some of the football stories from his own experience. Milts pulled off the interview of a lifetime. I'd thought of not going, what with an early start today to Preston, but am so glad I did.
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