Cambridge United legend Dion Dublin is appointed to the club’s board of directors

Published: 13:00, 15 July 2021

Dion Dublin, pictured with BBC co-commentator Eilidh Barbour, has been appointed to Cambridge United's board of directors. Picture: John Walton/PA

Dion Dublin has become a director of Cambridge United.

The club have announced that the fans’ favourite has been appointed to the board to enhance the breadth and depth of knowledge involved in running the U's.

Shaun Grady, chairman of the United board, said: “It is great news that Dion has agreed to become a director of Cambridge United.

“Dion is obviously someone who has a wealth of football experience at the highest level and strong networks across the game to add to the breadth and depth of different experiences we are fortunate to already have on the board.

“He is also one of the club’s greatest ever players and remains passionate about the club. His appointment has been unanimously agreed and welcomed by all our owners and board members.

“We do of course all recognise that Dion has a large number of other roles - football, media and business - and he also lives in the North West. However, Dion is expecting to be an active board member.

“We know he will make a big contribution to our future as a League One club and we look forward to welcoming Dion back to the Abbey in his new capacity during the forthcoming season.

“New ways of working means he will be able to attend board and other meetings remotely like all other board members. His appointment is another positive step forward for the club that will make us even stronger as we all look forward to our first season in League One for 20 years.”

Dublin first joined United in 1988, and went on to score 73 goals for the club as they won successive promotions, first via the play-offs from the old Fourth Division and then as champions of the Third Division in 1990/91.

He was part of the famous John Beck side that earned the club's highest finish in the Football League, fifth in Division Two, when they missed out on promotion to the Premier League in the play-offs and also scored in the FA Cup quarter-final against Arsenal in the same 1991/92 campaign.

Manchester United Legends’ Dion Dublin (right) celebrates scoring the winning penalty in the shoot-out with team-mate John O’Shea (Niall Carson/PA) (49247094)

Dublin left the Abbey in August 1992 to sign for Manchester United in a £1million deal, and he went on to represent England.

“It is a genuine honour to join the board of Cambridge United,” said Dublin, who was inducted into the Cambridge United Hall of Fame in 2017.

“It is a club I love and I have always had a special relationship with the fans. I have followed the team’s fortunes closely since I left and promotion last season was hard earned and hugely deserved. I have no doubt the team will be competitive in League One.

“As a director I am looking forward to playing an active part in making the club even stronger. I already know a number of the board and I met Mark Bonner (United's head coach) in November when I was filming for the BBC and I was left very impressed.

“It is very clear there are good people involved from top to bottom, on-and-off the pitch with a genuine desire to do as much as possible for the city and the community.

“Whilst distance and my other weekend commitments mean I won’t be able to see as many games live as I would ideally like, I am really looking forward to being back at the Abbey next season.

“Cambridge United is a special club for me and it is a proud moment to be joining the board.”

The appointment will now go through the usual process of formal ratification with the EFL.

Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder joins Cambridge United on season-long loan

Cambridge Cambridge United South Cambridgeshire Mark Taylor