FORMER West Ham, Birmingham and Liverpool star Julian Dicks will be at Wivenhoe Town on Saturday to give the Dragons' players and fans a massive boost.

Mike Bacon

FORMER West Ham, Birmingham and Liverpool star Julian Dicks will be at Wivenhoe Town on Saturday to give the Dragons' players and fans a massive boost.

The troubled Essex club, who have mounting debts, have invited Dicks to Broad Lane for their clash with Needham Market, and many fans will no doubt be hoping there is more to this trip than just a one-off visit.

Dicks lives in Spain, but has been invited over to Saturday's game by Wivenhoe Director of Football, Nick Murphy-Whymark.

And, speaking from his home near Alicante, Dicks admits he is fully aware of the Dragons' situation.

“I've spoken to Nick (Murphy-Whymark) over the past few months and I'm aware of what's happened at the club,” Dicks said.

“From what I can gather the team has a lot of youngsters in it and it can be very tough.

“They need a bit of encouragement and I will help them with that, coming in the changing room beforehand, offering a bit of guidance.

“When clubs are struggling the dressing room is often a bit quiet.”

Dicks' appearance at Broad Lane is due mainly to the persistence of Murphy-Whymark.

“I invited Julian down to Broad Lane to cheer the Dragons on some weeks ago,” he said.

“Maybe he will bring us a little bit of luck, its a long way to come to watch us, but Julian has kept in touch and has watched recent developments from afar and wanted to come over one weekend to show his support.

“If he could still pull the boots on I know he would gladly do us a job, I am sure the players and supporters will welcome him with open arms.”

Dragons boss Wayne Ward is looking forward to Dicks having a word with his young side.

“The results haven't been a true reflection of how the club is evolving, we are finding it difficult with a small budget and recruiting what I would call a totally new side,” Ward said.

“The chairman is doing all he can to support what we are trying to achieve and he understands the predicament the club is in. It is very hard, we haven't been able to train as much as I would have liked as the pitch is of concern but the support of the committee and the community has kept us focussed.”

Certainly since the dark days a few months ago, when the club came close to folding, community support for the Dragons is moving the club forward once more.

And Julian Dicks' input at Broad Lane on Saturday, will surely only hasten that process.