Football legend Dion Dublin enjoys meal at Worcestershire pub ahead of Harriers match

Dion Dublin met with a warm welcome at the Bay Horse at Stourport, especially from Aston Villa fans, as the BBC commentary team dropped by for a pre-booked meal before the FA Cup match between Kidderminster Harriers and West Ham United.

'LOVELY': Dion Dublin was a hit with everyone at the pub. Pictured here is Michelle Wilson, Sarah Element and Tracey Wheeler with Mr Dublin.

The landlady of the pub in Hartlebury Road - Sarah Element - shared a photo of her with the 52-year-old former professional footballer on Friday via the pub's Facebook page.

As a player he was a centre-forward, playing in the Premier League for Manchester United, Coventry City and Aston Villa.

FRIENDLY: Dion Dublin took the time to meet staff and customers. Here is Greg Enright with Dion Dublin at the Bay Horse in Stourport.

Mr Dublin also played in the Scottish Premiership with Celtic and in the Football League with Cambridge United, Barnet, Millwall, Leicester City and Norwich City. He was capped four times for England and is now a pundit and television presenter. Sadly, it was not to be for Kidderminster. Despite leading for the vast majority of the game, the game ended in heartbreak for Harriers.

The Hammers equalised courtesy of Declan Rice levelled after 91 minutes, neutralising Alex Penny's opener.

Jarrod Bowen completed the victory in the 121st minute of the game. The sixth-tier team were seconds away from knocking out West Ham, then seconds away from taking them to penalties, only to have their hopes dashed twice.

Speaking before the final whistle, Mrs Element, 40, said: "So we had the pleasure of serving the BBC this evening. They were a fantastic bunch and Dion Dublin was a true gentlemen.Thank you guys for a lovely evening."

Mrs Element, who has been running the pub since December 6 last year, said she had a phone call from the BBC about two weeks before, asking to book a table for 15 to 20 people.

"I took them into the restaurant. Five minutes later someone says 'is Dion Dublin in here?' I said 'I don't think so'."

However, there could be no doubt when she was later introduced to him and she had her photograph taken with him.

"Dion was impressed with the food. He said the food was lovely and he ate it all. They were lovely people - all of them" said Mrs Element.

She said there were a lot of Villa fans at the pub who gave Mr Dublin a warm welcome, remembering fondly his days playing for the West Midlands club.