Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterYes, you're reading that correctly.Footballers are known for rubbing shoulders with the great and the good of the celebrity world, but these connections usually come about after they've made it big on the pitch.In Dion Dublin's case, the former Aston Villa marksman has a Hollywood claim to fame from back when when he was merely a teenager and youth team player.Dion Dublin reveals historic Jason Statham friendshipThe 'Homes Under The Hammer' star tells FourFourTwo: "Jason Statham was best friends with my brother, who was a DJ in Great Yarmouth when I was a young player at Norwich City, so I lived with him. Jason played the drums. My brother played bass, too, so they played in a band together."I was a 17-year-old boy who would go and watch their band then Id go watch my brothers DJ sets with Jason, then me and J would go out after. It was good fun. Very chilled out." You may like My life is very strange Ive been in a bath with rose petals, recreating American Beauty, and over the California countryside in a hot air balloon that was also a pair of pants Peter Crouch tells FFT about his latest acting venture I worked as a hairdresser before joining Gillingham it was clattering Steve Bruce that earned me the contract How Tony Cascarino earned his big break in football Liam Gallagher bought my house! Tony Adams on his �4m property deal with the Oasis frontman Statham is, of course, known for his roles in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch, The Transporter and Mean Machine and has developed a reputation as an on-screen hard-man over the past 25 years.But, Dublin says that wasn't always his old flatmate's persona.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over."Ive not spoken to him for years but the Jason I knew back then was a very nice, very fun guy. He used to be a high board diver for Great Britain, too, and there was a big leisure complex on the sea front at Great Yarmouth so J used to go down sometimes and do his practice on the high board in the pool down there."His dad was a singer too. His brother Lee used to work on the markets as well. Jason used to work on the markets with him too so hes done everything. I think he's deserved everything hes achieved."While Dublin, two years Statham's junior, saw his career take him to Cambridge United in 1988 and then the Premier League with Manchester United a few years later, it was another 10 years before Statham's acting really took off, eventually taking him Stateside."Would I fancy moving to Hollywood to follow in Jason Stathams footsteps?" Dublin says. "The property is too expensive!"Id love to go out there and give it a go though. Imagine that. Dion Dublin, action hero! I suppose Ive tried everything else, haven't I? Id throw my hat in the ring for that if theyd give us a job."Dublin was speaking to FourFourTwo on behalf of Reviant.TOPICSDion DublinNorwich CityJoe DonnohueSocial Links NavigationSenior Digital WriterJoe joined FourFourTwo as senior digital writer in July 2025 after five years covering Leeds United in the Championship and Premier League. Joe's 'Mastermind' specialist subject is 2000s-era Newcastle United having had a season ticket at St. James' Park for 10 years before relocating to Leeds and later London. Joe takes a keen interest in youth football, covering PL2, U21 Euros, as well as U20 and U17 World Cups in the past, in addition to hosting the industry-leading football recruitment-focused SCOUTED podcast. He is also one of the lucky few to have 'hit top bins' as a contestant on Soccer AM. It wasn't a shin-roller.With contributions fromMark WhiteContent Editor
