Lee Dixon

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Dixon joined Burnley as a junior and played in the senior team for a handful of games before John Bond released him to join Chester City. After one and a half seasons there he signed for Bury before joining Stoke City, where he instantly impressed, forging a defensive partnership with Steve Bould. The pair's potential and performances attracted the attention of George Graham when Arsenal beat Stoke 3–0 in a League Cup Fourth Round tie in November 1987, and two months later the Arsenal manager signed Dixon. Bould was signed five months later. The following season, as Dixon cemented his place in the team, Arsenal won their first league title in eighteen years in a dramatic final game of the season. A defensive mainstay in a successful Arsenal team until his retirement in 2002, Dixon won four league championship medals, three FA Cup winner's medals and a UEFA Cup Winners' Cup medal. He was named in the PFA Team of the Year for the 1989–90 and 1990–91 seasons. He retired after Arsenal's domestic double-winning 2001–02 season, their second in his time at the club. When he retired he had played at 91 out of the 92 Football League grounds – every one except Fulham's Craven Cottage.

In Their Own Story

The 1998 season saw Arsène Wenger arrive at Highbury on 1 October 1996, introducing lifestyle policies that extended Dixon's career. Rather than replacing him, Wenger realized he didn't need to. Dixon played a pivotal role in Arsenal's second domestic 'double' in 1997–98. Earlier struggles included the 1995 Cup Winners' Cup final replay loss to Real Zaragoza, where Nayim's 40-yard lob over David Seaman in extra time prised the trophy away. Despite these heartbreaks, Dixon remained a constant until his retirement in 2002 at age 38. He played through the 1999–2000 UEFA Cup final loss to Galatasaray on penalties and the 2001 FA Cup final defeat to Liverpool, where he was outpaced by Michael Owen. His final act was clinching a third historic 'double' for the club, making him one of few men to win league titles in three different decades.

Reader's Guide

Dixon began his professional playing career in the lower divisions. On leaving school in 1980, he joined Burnley as an apprentice in 1980, turning professional in 1982, then signed for Chester City, Bury and later Stoke City. He joined First Division Arsenal in January 1988 for a fee of £375,000. On 29 January 1988 George Graham bought Dixon from Stoke City following the departure of England right back Viv Anderson to Manchester United. Dixon made his debut against Luton Town on 13 February 1988. He played six times in total before the season ended. Dixon was cup-tied in his first season which limited his appearances, and also meant he was unable to take part in the 1988 League Cup Final. In the new season, Winterburn moved across to left back, allowing Dixon to take over the No.2 shirt. Dixon and Winterburn made the full back positions their own for the next decade or so. Dixon was a marauding right back, ever willing to support his winger David Rocastle. He also had a short spell during this period as the club's penalty taker. Arsenal won the league in 1988–89, 1990–91, and later the double in 1998 and 2001–02. Dixon won a European Cup Winners' Cup medal in 1994. He played in a UEFA Cup final in 2000 which Arsenal lost on penalties to Galatasaray. Dixon played his final season in 2001–02, helping Arsenal win another double, and retired at the end of that season.

Did You Know?

• Dixon was a boyhood Manchester City supporter, despite playing for Arsenal.
• He was named in the PFA Team of the Year for the 1989–90 and 1990–91 seasons.
• Dixon provided commentary in the FIFA 20 video game alongside Derek Rae.
• He joined Lawrence Dallaglio in a sponsored bike ride for Sport Relief which raised over £986,000.