Former Norwich City star Dion Dublin is best known for his ability as a striker in top level football.

But now he is hoping to strike the right note in the music world by releasing a Christmas album.

The TV pundit has put together an album of 11 different songs from a range of artists which include the Birmingham Community Gospel Choir, Fillet-O-Soul and folk singer Millie Underwood – among others.

Dion said: 'Music has been a passion of mine for years – I play the saxophone and Christmas music in our family was a massive affair.

'I wanted to achieve a quality album, the musicianship, arrangement and voices will surprise you.

'Normally when you get a Christmas album you will buy a Michael Buble or Rod Stewart, an album with only one genre.

'My album has six genres. It's unique, give it a go, buy it, listen to it and ultimately you are helping a great charity', said Dion, who scored 12 goals in 70 appearances for Norwich.

Dion, whose family has a strong musical tradition, even performs on the album, playing the Dube, an electronic percussion instrument he invented himself.

'I have played the Dube on a couple of tracks on the album. It links to Norwich as eight years ago after training I went to a hardware store to pick up some wood and some nails and from then it has gone from strength to strength. I love playing percussion and creating and supplying music for events'.

The former City striker joins a select group of former footballers who have looked for success in the music industry.

'I wouldn't imagine many other footballers who have done this,' he said.

'The music world runs parallel to the football world. I'm not trying to sell an album based on Dion Dublin the footballer, I am selling it for the quality of the artists.

'It is well written and you'll be surprised by the arrangements –you'll know every song. It will raise eyebrows but I am just trying to achieve things,' he added.

Instead of trying his hand at football management, Dion is currently the full-time manager of Nottingham based band The Establishment.

The band sang with Dion to create a World Cup song for England this year called Winner in You and have featured in two tracks on the Christmas album.

Stuart Landon, the guitarist in the band, said: 'It's an idea that Dion kicked around for a little while.

'The album contains a lot of musical twists and turns. For me it's a bargain, the level of talent on there is immense it's a feel good album that ticks all the boxes.

'Its great having Dion as a manager.

'I saw him on Soccer AM talking about what he was doing after football.

'We put a call in through a mutual friend and he listened to our demos. It all went from there really.

Dion also hopes to soon announce plans to sign copies of the CD at Carrow Road. The album is available for download on ITunes for £5.99.

A donation of £1 from each album sold will go to The Bobby Moore Fund. More information can be found at http://bobbymoorefund.cancerresearchuk.org