Southend United manager Kieron Dyer delivered an emotional pre-match team talk ahead of the club's 6-1 victory over Gateshead, inspired by the anniversary of his life-saving liver transplant. The win helped Southend move into second place in the National League, a significant step in the team's season. Dyer, who received a liver transplant in 2023 after being diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis in 2019, spoke to his players and staff about the importance of the moment, saying, "That one's for you," in honor of his organ donor's family. Primary sclerosing cholangitis is a rare, chronic condition that causes inflammation and scarring of the bile ducts, which can lead to serious complications such as liver failure. The illness caused Dyer's eyes and skin to turn yellow, a common symptom of liver disease. Dyer shared that he learned some details about his donor through a letter from the donor's sister, including the donor's name and that they had a wife. He described the experience of receiving a second chance at life as humbling, noting that at the time of his diagnosis, he was on his deathbed and had only weeks to live. Kieron Dyer has had a long and successful career in football, playing for clubs such as West Ham, QPR, Middlesbrough, Ipswich Town, and Newcastle United. He also earned 33 caps for the England national team. Dyer was appointed as Southend United manager in June, and under his leadership, the team has shown strong performance, sitting just two points behind the league leaders after nine games. Dyer emphasized how the experience of receiving a liver transplant changed his perspective on life, making him appreciate every moment more deeply. He expressed deep gratitude to his donor and their family, highlighting the profound impact of organ donation. His story has become a powerful reminder of the importance of such acts of generosity and the resilience of the human spirit.