Today we continue our five-part series to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Dixie Dean's remarkable feat of scoring 60 goals in one season, a record which is likely to stand for all time. DIXIE DEAN’S start to the 1927-28 campaign had been impressive. On October 8, 1927, it became spectacular. Dean claimed all five of his side’s goals in a 5-2 rout of Manchester United – and for the first time that season there were tentative suggestions that the Toffees’ young lionheart might become a record-breaker. Of course the possibility of scoring 60 goals wasn’t even mentioned. “It is very difficult to know what to say about this young, breezy man Dean,” reported Echo correspondent Bee, a man never usually short of words. “William is himself again; a year ago we were going about the clubhouse, one lot saying he would never play again, another lot saying ‘you can’t keep a good man down’ and declaring that Dean would be back before Christmas. “I remember the director, Mr Andrew Coffey, telling me he believed Dean would be back with the football task in October, and I thought it a sort of fatuous optimism. “Yet Dean came back to his side in October and is gaining strength every day. He is not putting on weight and, indeed, his poundage is somewhat similar to that of years ago; he touches 12st 4lbs and touches the hearts of all who like to see big heavyweight men capable of being dainty in their movements. “Not until January does he touch manhood’s estate, 21 years of age, and all being well he will break a new record in two years’ time, for he will be due a benefit match at 22 years of age. That is a thing unheard of in football life.” His five-goal haul against United was also a rarity, and the first time Dean had managed such a feat in senior football – although Bee did recall an occasion when the youngster scored seven goals against Bradford City in a reserve match at Goodison Park, five of them with his head. United’s goalkeeper Richardson was particularly impressed. “Dean is the best forward I have met,” he declared. “There was no fluke about his goals. Two or three of them passed me like cannonballs. His placing was to the inch.”
Full story at Liverpool Echo website - click here
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