The one-off who played for Southampton

Matt Le Tissier remembers Ali Dia's one and only appearance for the Saints
Matt Le Tissier
Le Tissier was replaced by Dia after suffering a calf injury. Photograph: Tony Henshaw/Action Images Photograph: Tony Henshaw/Action Images

I only really trained with him once, on the Friday before the fateful day. He joined in the five-a-side on the Friday morning, and was introduced to us as a triallist. I remember at the time thinking: "He's not very good. He's probably not going to make it."

It's very difficult to judge somebody on one five-a-side, but normally you'd see if they could control a ball properly, or move around the pitch with some kind of grace, and he didn't really show any of that. I don't recall him doing anything at all on the Friday which made me think, hang on a minute, this boy can play.


It probably would never have been an issue if I hadn't pulled my thigh muscle halfway through the first half and had to come off. The manager, Graeme Souness, decided to replace me with Mr Dia, and I sat on the bench to watch the rest of the game. They scored twice late on to win 2-0.

His performance was almost comical. He kind of took my place, but he didn't really have a position. He was just wondering everywhere. I don't think he realised what position he was supposed to be in. I don't even know if he spoke English - I don't think I ever said a word to him. In the end he got himself subbed because he was that bad.

The mood was pretty sombre in the dressing-room afterwards, so we didn't really discuss him then. I think on Monday morning it was probably more of a topic. By then he was gone, never to be seen again. Apparently he came in for treatment on the Sunday morning, according to the physio. He was told to report again on Monday, and he just did a runner. I don't think he paid for his hotel bill or anything.

Then it came out that he'd been recommended by someone pretending to be George Weah. It was all a bit embarrassing, and it became a taboo subject with the manager. He had been made to look very, very silly.

Overall I'd say he's probably the worst player I played with. There are several other candidates, but I don't want to name names.

Then what happened

Dia, who had already failed trials at several lower-league clubs, reappeared at Gateshead, where he played a few times in what was then the Football Conference, before drifting out of the game. Le Tissier works as a pundit for Sky Sports.