Dixie Dean

Dixie Dean William Ralph Dean actually ( born January 22, 1907 in Birkenhead, † March 1, 1980 in Liverpool ) was an English footballer who plays as an attacker while in the ranks of the Everton one of the most famous center forward in English football history. He was known for his extraordinary run strength, great eye for goal and dribbling. He was also one of the best header of a ball of his time.

Sports career

Dixie Dean began his professional career with the then third division side Tranmere Rovers, a small club on the Wirral peninsula, opposite Liverpool. The club struggled in the former " Third Division " against relegation, but Dean get 27 goals in just 30 games. His eye for goal was at times harmful to him. In a game Dean scored a goal and the defender told him if he still score a goal, he would make sure that it would be the very last goal in his life. Of course, Dean scored again and shortly after the defender Dean came so hard in the testicles that Dean lost one.

In 1925 he moved to the then large sum of 3,000 pounds to Everton. Although orally to him 10% of the transfer fee was assured, he got only 1 %, which is only 30 pounds because he signed the contract without close examination. Despite a serious motorcycle accident, by which he drew upon a skull and broken jaw in 1926, Dean was fully recovered and celebrated from then on with his club great success. Unsurpassed his scoring record of 60 goals in the season 1927/28, is in the English First Division and helped while Everton to win the championship. Dean had scored 60 goals, including 40 with the head, shot and approximately 58.8 % of all hits Everton this season ( 102). In addition, he scored 22 goals in the cup more. He benefited from the newly created offside rule in which only two and not more than three defenders must stand behind the balla acquiring striker. However, the ball was still much heavier and easier for goalkeepers to calculate and especially the defenders was then literally anything goes. Since Dean was known for its gates, he was particularly harsh treatment by the defenders (see loss of one testicle ). Dean was still during his career as an extremely professional and he was never sent off in spite of the harsh treatment way through defenders or got a simple warning.

Although Everton in 1930 descended into the Second Division, Dean remained loyal to his club and won by the direct resurgence of both the English Cup again in 1932 and a year later the FA Cup.

At this time, Dean led his team as a captain. Still, he had his exhausting game to pay tribute and lost in 1937 when Everton his place to Tommy Lawton at the age of only 30 years. He continued his career at Notts County and then even the Irish club Sligo Rovers continue before then in 1940, after the outbreak of World War II, retired from active competition. Subsequently, he worked as a youth coach and still operational after a pub. Moreover, henceforth he worked for the retail company Littlewoods.

In 433 games for Everton he scored 383 goals and is regarded by supporters of the club as one of the best players of all time, was never cautioned throughout his career or punished with a suspension.

In the English National Dean scored in 16 games 18 goals.

In 1980, Dean died after a heart attack at Goodison Park, Everton FC, as he watched the play of his former club against local rivals Liverpool. 21 years later a statue was erected in his honor outside the stadium. After another year, Dean was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame.

Trivia

Historical reports that Dean was nicknamed "Dixie" by his followers, who compared him because of his dark complexion and curly black hair with African Americans in the South. Dean himself had always rejected the name and wanted to be addressed by the name "Bill" instead.