Bob Dixon (footballer)

Bob Dixon
Personal information
Full name Robert Hewitson Dixon[1]
Date of birth 30 August 1904[1]
Place of birth Whitehaven, England[1]
Date of death 1980 (aged 76)[1]
Place of death Turkey
Playing position Goalkeeper
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
– West Stanley
1922–1928 Stoke City 189 (0)
1928–1932 West Ham United 65 (0)
Total 254 (0)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.

† Appearances (goals)

Robert Hewitson "Bob" Dixon (30 August 1904 – 1980) was an English footballer who played in the Football League for West Ham United and Stoke City.[1][2]

Career

Dixon was born in Whitehaven and played for West Stanley before he was spotted by Stoke City's north-eastern scouts who had previously signed another 'keeper Richard Herron from West Stanley.[1] He made his debut in a 5–1 victory at Blackburn Rovers but he was at fault for Rovers' goal and was 'not at ease'.[1] That nervy display convinced the management that he needed a spell in the reserves, and was replaced by Gilbert Brookes and played just one more match in 1922–23. Early in the 1923–24 season Dixon won his place back this time from Scottish international Ken Campbell. New manager Tom Mather installed Dixon as his first choice and he went on to conceded just three goals in three months and banish memories of his awkward debut.[1] Rarely seen without his cloth cap, Dixon's courage during the relegation battle of 1924–25 dug his errant defenders out of the mire on numerous occasions and was not afraid to throw himself at oncoming forwards feet often leading to personal injury. Following errors in a 3–0 home defeat by Wolverhampton Wanderers in March 1925, Dixon was dropped.[1]

By the time he regained his place in the side the followings season, Stoke were deep in the relegation places. The jittery defence struggled to cope with the new offside law and Dixon twice conceded seven goals and City were relegated. However Dixon missed just one match in 1926–27 as Stoke won the Third Division North title.[1] In 1927–28 Dixon again missed just one match as Stoke finished in 5th position.[1] In March 1929 he signed for West Ham United where he played second fiddle to Ted Hufton. He left the "Hammers" in the summer of 1933 and returned to Stoke-on-Trent to become a pub landlord he also ran a caravan park in Lytham St Anne's.[1] He and his wife Daisy then emigrated to Turkey where they spent the rest of their lives.[1]

Career statistics

Club Season League FA Cup Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Stoke City 1922–23 First Division 200020
1923–24 Second Division 31010320
1924–25 Second Division 33010340
1925–26 Second Division 34020360
1926–27 Third Division North 41030440
1927–28 Second Division 41040450
1928–29 Second Division 700070
Total 18901102000
West Ham United 1928–29 First Division 200020
1929–30 First Division 12000120
1930–31 First Division 28010290
1931–32 First Division 20020220
1932–33 Second Division 300030
Total 65030680
Career Total 25401402680

Honours

Stoke City

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Stoke City 101 Golden Greats. Desert Islands Books. 2002. ISBN 1-874287554.
  2. ↑ Matthews, Tony (1994). The Encyclopaedia of Stoke City. Lion Press. ISBN 0-9524151-0-0.
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