William Ralph ‘Dixie’ Dean, one of English football’s most legendary goalscorers, is set to be posthumously honoured by his birthplace for his immense contribution to the sport.
Dean still holds the record for the most goals scored in a single top-flight season, netting 60 times, and is widely regarded as one of the finest centre-forwards of his era. He was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2002.
The late footballer is to receive the Freedom of the Borough, Wirral Council’s highest accolade, a historic award dating back to medieval times, given to individuals from Wirral who have made exceptional contributions.
Born on January 22, 1907, on Laird Street in Birkenhead and christened at St James’ Church, Dean attended Laird Street School and Portland Primary School. His football talent was evident early on. In 1923, he began playing for Tranmere Rovers and was scouted by Everton two years later. A Wirral Council report highlighted one remarkable day when Dean scored 18 goals across three matches: six for Birkenhead Schools, six for Laird Street School, and six more for the Moreton Bible Class team.
Beyond his 60-goal record, Dean is also remembered as the first footballer to wear the number nine shirt in a major match, during the 1933 FA Cup final. He earned 16 caps for England, scoring 18 goals.
Despite his fame, Dean remained closely tied to Wirral. He married at St James’ Church in 1931, lived on Park Road North, and took up golf at Wirral Ladies Golf Club. In 1963, following a testimonial match honoring his achievements, he purchased a house on Larkhill Avenue in Upton, where he lived until his death in 1980, famously passing away while watching Everton play Liverpool at Goodison Park.
An annual award in Dean’s name continues to celebrate footballers who demonstrate “services to football in the finest tradition,” with recent winners including Everton captain Seamus Coleman and club legend Derek Temple.
Councillors are set to consider formally awarding Dean the Freedom of the Borough on October 13, with the motion to be discussed at a Regulatory and General Purposes Committee meeting on September 4. Past recipients of this prestigious honour include the Hillsborough 97, Paul O’Grady, Baron Frank Field of Birkenhead, Glenda Jackson, Patricia Routledge DBE, and YMCA Wirral.
Leave a Reply