Dicks' delight tinged with sadness

  • by Staff Writer
  • Wednesday, 1st July 2015

Julian Dicks joy at becoming part of Slaven Bilic's new back room team was bittersweet, after it was revealed that he had lost his father on the same day.

Dicks' daughter Jessica, posting on Twitter this afternoon revealed that her grandfather passed away on the same day her father discovered that he had been appointed as first team coaching assistant.

"I wouldn't usually put personal things on Facebook," she wrote, "but I have received hundreds of lovely messages regarding my dad's new job. I am sorry that I haven't replied to any but I am so grateful.

"On Monday not only did we have the best news this year, but also really sad news as my dad's dad passed away. He passed away not only having the most wonderful, caring wife but he also got to hold his first great grandchild Teddy.

"On his last day he was smiling as he was so proud of my dad's new job. Rest in peace, granddad."

Dicks, speaking via his former column for KUMB.com revealed back in 2012 that his father had played a major role in his development as a footballer during his youth.

"My dad was a big influence on me when I was growing up. He was a good player [for Frome Town] and well known around Bristol, but he never forced me to play football," Dicks recalled.

"He'd watch me at the weekends and encourage me - he'd never shout at me, unlike some parents now. If I'd done something wrong he'd tell me - that's what parents do. But he wasn't like 'you've got to do this' - he'd just let me get on with it. "

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