Some of us have generations before us; some, judging by the overseas contribution, are first generation Evertonians, taking in the experience for future story telling.
Some stories could evolve through the mists of time. The Alan Ball 25-yarder v Newcastle into the top corner; the Mick Lyons diving header, whilst missing Norman Hunter's left boot by inches... loads more like this I?m sure format our memories of an instant in time. To expand on that, who has a background to add to the event?
One example that I had passed on to myself was from my Grandfather. As usual from his time, it was a Dixie Dean theme. This time though, it was different. I?d had the 60th goal described to me as my Grandfather was stood in the Park End: the ball is crossed for Dixie, 12 minutes to go, Dixie leapt high and met the cross full on and headed the ball from the penalty spot into the net like a rocket.
To precede this event, I was told of a day leading up to that game. There were two games to go, Burnley away then Arsenal. Dixie was on 53 goals needing seven to beat the record. In these times of spoilt footballers and the total lack of association with supporters (in some clubs), my Grandfather, being of similar age to Dixie, had met up with him in a pub, probably with other supporters, and were chatting, like you do, about football.
Dixie was in a genuine dilemma, hard to believe the next bit, but it?s what I was told. The English FA was due to pick the team to play a two-match tour of Belgium and France in May after the season finished. In those days they would have a game between probable and possible. Dixie had been selected for the probable. The dilemma for Dixie was the game was the same night as the Burnley game. Dixie said he didn?t want to risk his England place by not making himself available.
For Dixie to be worried about being not picked for England says everything about the modesty of the man. This man had scored two at Hampden Park the previous year for England to beat Scotland 2-1 and should have been nailed on a place in the national side. However the brown stuff had hit the fan, with a 5-1 defeat at Wembley the previous month in March by Scotland, Dixie played but didn?t score.
My grandfather and no doubt backed by a few others in the pub, urged him to play for Everton (totally bias of course) and that England would pick him anyway because he was too good to leave out. ?Bill, he told him, bugger England, if they don?t know how good you are, then they shouldn?t be in charge of picking a team?. Apparently, you daren?t call him Dixie, as he hated the nickname.
The rest, as we know, is history: Dixie played against Burnley and scored 4, then the infamous 3 versus Arsenal and the record set, no doubt for all time.
As for the England tour, England beat Belgium 3-1 and France 5-1; Dixie was picked and scored two in each game. Happy endings all round.
The facts are correct and I?ve no reason to think I was told a tall tale, he wasn?t like that. I?m sure ToffeeWeb's finest have examples of knowing your history...
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It was played on the old South Liverpool's ground at Garston, now sadly gone. Dixie only played for the first half, and it was 4-0 to Everton after the first half, in fact that was the final score. The thing is though, I cannot remember whether Dixie scored or not. I wonder if there is an old codger out there who can remember the game.
Memories, what a wonderful thing they are.
Those were the days Trevor? You are so right!!!
By the way Alex Parker had a pub in Runcorn shopping city called the Swinging Sporran.... I actually played with and against many who went on to be top class players for EFC and Liverpool...unfortunately I had a double fracture (patella and Fibula) which ended my ambitions apart from a season at Buxton and of course my time at Southport... The Liverpool schoolboys team of that era was very successful and lots of the lads came through eg; Morrisey, Smith, Lawler, Temple, Labbie, A'Court and Melia...
One of the funniest incidents was Sandy Brown's diving header own goal and the best penalty taker we ever had was Vernon who was absolutely nerveless.... Ah well!!!!!!!!
I was at Southport with Lem Newcomb (manager) and when I moved to Buxton the manager there was Jack Crompton who played goalkeeper for Man Utd... A double fracture in those days meant you were finished but of course nowadays it's only a few months out.
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