Dixie Dean is set to posthumously be awarded Freedom of the Wirral.
The once 60-goal-season striker has been put forward by Birkenhead MP Alison McGovern.
Dixie’s granddaughter, Melanie Prentice, has spoken about the process of finding out he was being put forward.
She said: “The process actually begun around 8 or 9 months ago, we were asked to provide a lot of background information regarding what he had done to help the Wirral community, what he had participated in, what charities he had supported.”
Dean’s early life was no doddle, as he came from a working class family – and a large one at that – he was one of seven and had six sisters.
He worked from a very young age in varying jobs such as delivering milk and on the railways with his father around the age of 15.
The wage packet the former Pensby, Tranmere and Everton striker picked up would have been staggeringly different to the earnings of number 9’s today, which meant after his playing career was over he became a caretaker at Littlewoods.
“He never thought working in Littlewoods was beneath him, he just wanted to provide for his family,” Melanie added.
Melanie explained that there was not the same opportunities for post career work as there are nowadays when her grandfather was hanging up his boots.
“The framework of jobs retired professionals walk into now simply did not exist when he finished playing, becoming a pundit or talking on radio stations – even managerial roles were hard to come by,” she said.
Dean had received numerous operations throughout his career which led to the loss of his leg.
He was also injured in a motorcycle accident, meaning he needed a metal plate in his head – but he was back playing a few weeks later.
Melanie said: “I wouldn’t say he had an easy life, I think he had a happy life because he did something that he wanted to do and he had a loving family – I was really lucky to share 13 years with him.”
Dean passed away after the final whistle at Goodison Park, with Everton beaten 2-1 by derby rivals Liverpool.
Listen to Melanie speak about Dixie Dean here:
Featured image: Melanie Prentice
