Kieron Dyer dedicates Southend win to liver donor on transplant anniversary

Kieron Dyer has revealed that the anniversary of his liver transplant shaped his team talk before Southend United's 6-1 victory at Gateshead. Speaking to BBC Essex, the Southend manager said he led the pre-match huddle himself on an emotional day, then dedicated the win to the donor whose organ had saved his life.

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The result moved Southend into second place in the National League. Dyer, who took charge in June, has guided the club to within two points of the leaders after nine matches. He said he had told the players he needed a victory, while making clear that he did not want his personal circumstances to place additional pressure on them.

Dyer explained that Southend's dressing-room huddles are normally led by different members of staff whom he selects. On this occasion, he felt it was appropriate to speak himself. He said the players had delivered the performance he had asked for, and described how he speaks to his donor each night before bed. After the Gateshead result, he offered his thanks again.

The former England midfielder underwent the transplant in 2023, having been diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis in 2019, BBC Sport reported. Looking back on his condition before the operation, Dyer said he believed he had only weeks left to live. He described the transplant as a second chance, while acknowledging that his survival had followed another person's death.

Dyer said a letter from the donor's sister had given him some knowledge of the man's life, including his name and the fact that he had a wife. He described the letter as deeply affecting and said the anniversary remained difficult emotionally. His gratitude to the donor, he explained, is something he carries into his daily life.

Now 47, Dyer won 33 England caps during a playing career that included Ipswich Town, Newcastle United, West Ham, QPR and Middlesbrough. He said receiving an organ donation had changed his perspective, leaving him determined not to take time for granted and to appreciate each day.