Everton legend Dixie Dean to receive Wirral’s highest honour
Football icon set to be awarded the Freedom of the Borough this October
William Ralph ‘Dixie’ Dean, one of the greatest goalscorers in English football history, is set to posthumously receive Wirral’s highest honour later this year.
The Birkenhead-born footballing icon, best known for his record 60 goals in a single top-flight season for Everton, will be awarded the Freedom of the Borough in October — the most prestigious recognition Wirral Council can bestow.
Dean, born on 22nd January 1907 on Laird Street, was a local lad who went on to become a household name in English football. Starting out at Tranmere Rovers in 1923, he signed for Everton two years later, where he cemented his legendary status. He also represented England 16 times, scoring 18 goals.
A Wirral Council report recalled his extraordinary early promise, stating: “As a youngster Dean’s immense promise was evident when on one occasion he played three times in one day – and scored 18 times. In the morning, he played a trial for Birkenhead Schools and scored six times, playing at outside right, he then cycled off to represent Laird Street School and scored another six goals, before finally playing for the Moreton Bible Class team where he added a further six more.”
Dean was also the first footballer to wear the number nine shirt in a major match, doing so in the 1933 FA Cup final. Despite his fame, he remained deeply tied to Wirral, marrying at St James’ Church in 1931 and later settling in Upton, where he lived until his death in 1980 at Goodison Park while watching Everton take on Liverpool.
Each year, his legacy is remembered through an award in his name, given to players who embody “services to football in the finest tradition.” Recent winners include current Everton captain Seamus Coleman and club legend Derek Temple.
Councillors will meet on 4th September to approve the honour, with the official ceremony scheduled for 13th October. Previous recipients of the Freedom of the Borough include Paul O’Grady, Baron Frank Field of Birkenhead, Patricia Routledge DBE, Glenda Jackson, YMCA Wirral, and the Hillsborough 97.