Stage show on life of Everton FC hero Dixie Dean at New Brighton Floral Pavilion

Jul 23 2009 by Gary Porter, Chester Chronicle

A STAGE show about the remarkable life of legendary Merseyside footballer Dixie Dean is taking place at New Brighton Floral Pavilion.

The Dixie Dean Story, which has played to packed houses since its premiere last year, is being shown in the late Everton star’s native Wirral at 7.30pm on Friday.

Playing the iconic goalscorer is actor Steve Hazlehurst, who fittingly was born in the same area of north Birkenhead as Dixie, attended the same Laird Street school and even played centre forward in the school team.

Written and narrated by broadcaster and author John Keith and produced by Gill Beattie of Arts2u, the story charts the amazing life and career of Dixie – real name William Ralph Dean – from his childhood, through to the glory years and finally to his death at Goodison ParkŠwhere he was attending a Merseyside derby match in 1980.

The showŠtracesŠDixie’s rise from kicking a ball against a Birkenhead chapel wall to signing for Tranmere Rovers, before moving to Everton where he scored an unassailable record of 60 league goals in the 1927-28 season.

During his 12 year love affair with Everton, Dixie won numerous trophies including two League Championships and the FA Cup. He was also an England international.

After the war, Dixie took over the running of The Dublin Packet public house in Chester, turning it into one of the city’s biggest attractions and a hotspot for Everton supporters.

John Keith said: “Dixie ran The Dublin Packet for many years after hanging up his boots and this is referred to in the show.”

Tickets for The Dixie Dean Story are priced £12, with £10 concessions, and are available from New Brighton Floral Pavilion box office, by calling 0151 666 0000, or via their website www.floralpavilion.com