Kerry Dixon

Chelsea's third-highest goalscorer of all time, with 193 goals.

Kerry Michael Dixon (born 24 July 1961) is an English retired professional footballer who played as a striker. His club career was spent most notably at Chelsea, where he won the Second Division twice. His 193 goals for the club across all competitions made him their third-highest goalscorer of all time. For three consecutive seasons (1982–83, 1983–84 and 1984–85), he was the top goalscorer in his teams' divisions, 3 (with Reading), 2 and 1 (with Chelsea) respectively. Dixon scored four goals in eight international appearances for the England national football team, and represented the nation at the 1986 FIFA World Cup.

Quick Facts

Full name: Kerry Michael Dixon
Born: 24 July 1961
Birthplace: Luton, England
Height: 1.84 m / 6 ft
Position: Striker
Total caps: 593
Total goals: 231

Lore & Background

Dixon was born in Luton. He started out as an apprentice with Tottenham Hotspur but was released. After spells with Chesham United and Dunstable, he got his first taste of League football with Reading, who signed him for £20,000 in 1980. He scored 51 league goals in 116 appearances for the then Third Division club.

Following Reading's relegation, Dixon moved up to the Second Division to sign for Chelsea in August 1983 for a £150,000 fee plus an additional £25,000 if he ever played for England. He was signed by manager John Neal. Dixon's impact at Chelsea was immediate; he scored two goals on his debut against Derby County and added 32 more through the season as the club romped to promotion as Second Division champions. Chelsea clinched promotion with a 5–0 win against Leeds United, in which Dixon scored a hat-trick.

He struck up an impressive partnership with David Speedie and also linked up well with winger Pat Nevin. In his first two seasons at Chelsea he scored a total of 70 goals in just 101 games. He finished the 1984–85 season as joint top scorer (alongside Gary Lineker) with 24 league goals while Chelsea finished sixth. In the same season, he hit a further eight goals in the League Cup as Chelsea reached the semi-finals.

Chelsea challenged for the title in the 1985–86 season but Dixon suffered torn stomach muscles during an FA Cup tie against Liverpool in January, which did much to damage their chances. The injury also took away much of his pace. During 1986, Dixon was frequently linked with a transfer to Manchester United, but new manager Alex Ferguson did not follow up interest. Chelsea were relegated in 1988, which rejuvenated his career; he scored 25 league goals as Chelsea returned to the First Division as champions at the first attempt in 1988–89.

A year later he scored a further 26, including a final day hat-trick against Millwall, to help Chelsea finish fifth. Dixon's final serious chance of a major trophy with Chelsea came in the 1990–91 season, when they lost to Sheffield Wednesday in the League Cup semi-finals. They did win the Full Members Cup twice (1986 and 1990) during his spell, although Dixon was injured on the occasion of the first victory. With 193 goals, Dixon is Chelsea's third highest goal scorer of all time, behind only Bobby Tambling and Frank Lampard. He is also tenth in the club's all-time appearances list.

Did You Know?

Dixon scored a hat-trick in the 5–0 win against Leeds United that clinched promotion for Chelsea in 1983–84.
Dixon scored twice against West Germany in a 3–0 win for England in 1985.
He was jailed for nine months in June 2015 for assault.