Dixie Dean

Who was Dixie Dean?

William Ralph "Dixie" Dean was an English footballer. Dean began his career with Birkenhead-based Tranmere Rovers before moving on to Everton, where he became the most prolific goalscorer in English football history. Dean played the majority of his career at Everton before injuries caught up with him and he moved on to new challenges at Notts County. He is best known for his exploits during the 1927–28 season, which saw him score a record 60 league goals.

A statue of Dean was unveiled outside Goodison Park in May 2001. A year later, he became one of 22 players inducted into the inaugural English Football Hall of Fame. Dean was the first Everton player to wear the number-9 shirt, and is regarded as one of the greatest pre-World War II athletes in Britain.