Soccer
Kieron Dyer stages Off The Wall press conference to help charity
Southend head coach Kieron Dyer went a bit ‘off the wall’ with his comments during a press conference to help raise money for charity by slipping in names of Michael Jackson songs.
The Shrimpers boss had been challenged by his squad to reference as many of the King of Pop’s singles as he could when he spoke to the media ahead of Saturday’s home Enterprise National League game against Yeovil.
Former Ipswich, Newcastle and England midfielder Dyer, who took over at Roots Hall this summer in a first senior managerial role, did his best to slip in a few – and was left bewildered that none of the journalists had cottoned on.
“Obviously, at the club, we want to be starting something really good, recruitment is a massive part of that,” Dyer said, name checking Jackson’s 1982 smash Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’.
The theme continued, as the Southend boss had to get somewhat more creative in his replies.
“It will be two teams trying to dominate the ball and play football. Yeah, I expect a real thriller of a game on Saturday,” he said.
Dyer added: “It is always good to reflect and look at the man in the mirror….
“Football is not black or white. There is always going to be the good, there is always going to be the bad, and we have shown a real consistent level of performance at the moment.”
Pressed on his plans for squad rebuilding, Dyer said: “We have targets in mind, (I) can’t name names, but it could be some random Joe Bloggs or a random Billie Jean or something like that.”
When the press conference wrapped up, Dyer came clean.
“Sorry, just to tell you, I was challenged the lads to see how many Michael Jackson songs I could get in in my press conference, and the money will get donated to charity,” he said.
“I can’t believe you didn’t clock that – especially when I said Billie Jean – so sorry about that, but I got challenged and hopefully I have raised some money for charity.”
