Goal machine Dixie McNeil was a star football striker whose career spanned three decades. Dixie played the beautiful game at Leicester, Exeter, Northampton, Lincoln, Hereford and Wrexham. Top goal scorer of all four divisions in the Football League in 1974–5 and 1975–6, he played against some of the best sides in the land and in Europe. Hero-worshipped at Wrexham FC, he spent nine years there as a player and later as their manager.
His new autobiography, called Dixie charts his life in football from those early days as a youngster in the star-studded Leicester squad, which included Gordon Banks and Peter Shilton, to management at Wrexham FC.
Following his release from the First Division club, he then joined Exeter City and made his Football League debut at Wrexham’s Racecourse ground in August 1966. After Exeter and a stint at Corby Town, he signed for Northampton Town and played in the famous FA Cup tie against Manchester United – when George Best replied to Dixie’s goal with six of his own. He then moved to Lincoln City and, after finishing top scorer in the Football League for two successive seasons, he asked for a £5 a week pay rise and was promptly put on the transfer list by Graham Taylor. He then signed for Hereford United and, with 69 goals, helped the side gain promotion to the Second Division for the first time in their history. But after one season, Hereford United was relegated and Dixie was sold to Wrexham FC for £60,000.
As well as charting the glorious years of Cup and League success at the Racecourse, where Dixie helped the team into the second tier of football, Dixie’s book gives a humourous insight into life behind the scenes and also marks the differences between the game today and the game in the 1970s. Dixie also comments on the present-day struggles at Wrexham FC.
Dixie certainly mixed with some of the footballing greats. In his foreword to the book, Graham Taylor, former England Football team manager writes of him, “As a player his career record is there for everyone to see: 239 goals in 522 appearances speaks for itself”. John Sillett, former Hereford United and Coventry City manager, comments, “He had that great ability to score goals, but also good touch and vision and a wonderful understanding… you were one of the best signings I ever made”.
Dixie is launched on Friday 4 November at 7 p.m. at the 1873 Suite, Mold Road Stand of the Glyndŵr University Racecourse Stadium, Wrexham. A warm welcome to everybody. Dixie McNeil will be signing copies of his autobiography at Waterstone’s, 9–11 Regent Street, WREXHAM on Saturday 5 November, 11–1 p.m. and at Waterstone’s, 18–20 Commercial Street, HEREFORD on Saturday 10 December from 11 a.m.
Dixie is published by Y Lolfa, at £9.95.