Dale Gordon speaks openly about a Difficult chapter in Dubai
Dubai has become a testing ground for Norwich City legend Dale Gordon as the city endures Iranian drone and missile strikes. The former Canaries midfielder, who played in Norwich from 1984 to 1991 before stints with Rangers and West Ham, moved to the United Arab Emirates 14 years ago. He described his current life in Dubai as a “testing time.”
Gordon, a Norfolk native raised in Caister-on-Sea near Great Yarmouth, was at a golf event with fellow ex-England and Scotland players at a hotel beside Jebel Ali Port when danger struck. He recalled, “Over the weekend it was quite a scary environment. We were at the England-Scotland legends golf and charity dinner near the beach, casually enjoying some drinks when the loud bangs began.” He could see the port in the distance, shrouded in smoke. A call from his girlfriend urged him to return home, and as they were leaving, another explosion hit the port, bringing flames and fumes into view. “We got home safely, but it’s been a testing time for everyone,” he said.
During an appearance on BBC Radio Norfolk with Chris Goreham, Gordon described families with children racing back into the hotel to shelter, and he admitted his concern for his own son, Remy. The Gordons and their partners run football academies in the region, though those programs have paused as families educate their kids at home following government guidance to stay indoors.
The flare-up in Dubai comes as Iran conducts missile and drone strikes in response to actions by the US and Israel. The city’s main airport has sustained damage, leading to thousands of flight cancellations.
This turmoil has also impacted Gordon’s network of former Premier League teammates, such as Gareth Barry, Seth Johnson, and Charles Miller, who are currently unable to leave Dubai. Yet Gordon, settled in the Persian Gulf city with his partner, has no plans to depart, despite a friend’s offer to return to the UK near Norwich. “We’ll be strong—this is home,” he affirmed. He noted his ties to the area, including a marina residence, a second home near a Trump-branded golf course, and the steady support from the local community. His top priority remains supporting his son and ensuring he feels secure while they continue their daily lives under a threatening sky.
The Chenery family, originally from Diss in Norfolk, had planned to return home from a seven-day Middle Eastern cruise on Wednesday but were told it could take another four weeks before they can fly back from Dubai. Alfie Chenery, 22, his brother Max, 26, and their parents Paul and Tanya found themselves stranded as the cruise was cancelled. Alfie described last night as “quite active with missiles,” recounting how he watched three or four missiles fly over from the ship’s restaurant terrace. Despite the unsettling situation, he said the family felt well cared for, reassured by the captain’s updates.
The cruise line is attempting to arrange repatriation flights, but airspace restrictions render plans uncertain. They are currently booked on a flight slated for March 30, and the captain remains in frequent contact with passengers, confirming the ship will remain docked for at least two more weeks.
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