Overview

This biography of Dixie McNeil captures the genius of the football legend who shot to prominence in the 1970s. He was instrumental in helping Hereford Utd and Wrexham FC to reach the second tier of the English league for the first time in their histories. Dixie played in an era long before the big football salaries came into being.

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9781847713650

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Although born in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, Dixie McNeil is now rightly regarded as one of Wales's favourite adopted sons, and his name will always be associated with Wrexham football club. Many of the published autobiographies of footballers tend to glamorise the game, but this work, written in collaboration with Peter Read, is very much the story of football at the sharper end. McNeil made his name as a prolific goal scorer in the lower echelons of the Football League, and his record as top striker in all four divisions in the Football League in two consecutive seasons in the 1970s is proof of his effectiveness as a player. His league career started in earnest at Exeter City, but ground to a swift halt at the end of the 1966-67 season. He then played non-league football at Corby Town as a part-timer, before being signed by neighbouring Northampton Town, where he played for three seasons and scored against the mighty Manchester United in a cup match. He later had successful spells with Lincoln City and Hereford United, helping the latter to reach the dizzy heights of the Second Division. Following Hereford's relegation at the end of the 1976-77 season, McNeil joined Wrexham and was part of their greatest success as a club when they too graced the Second Division for four seasons, from 1978 until 1982. During this period the club enjoyed many notable cup triumphs, both in domestic and European competitions, and Dixie McNeil was key to those achievements, making his 500th league appearance during his last season with the club. He himself later entered management, spending five seasons at the helm with Wrexham, before plying his trade in the League of Wales with Flint Town United, Caernarfon Town and NEWI Cefn Druids. As is the norm with such publications McNeil has some interesting things to say about some of his fellow players, his opponents, his relationships with certain managers, and the vagaries of the modern game. McNeil is very much Mr Wrexham, and the present stability of the club, now in community ownership after a period of great uncertainty, and ably guided by player-manager Andy Morrell, who has continued the current success on the field of the previous manager Dean Saunders, gives McNeil enormous pleasure and real hope that Waless oldest league club can once again regain its rightful status. However, his optimism is tempered by the knowledge that, despite a loyal following, the competition faced by Wrexham from the four major premiership clubs based in neighbouring Liverpool and Manchester is making it increasingly difficult to attract regular sizeable attendances. Some minor errors have crept into the text which ought to be corrected in any future edition (Bill Shankley should read Bill Shankly, and Ian Gwynne Hughes should read Ian Gwyn Hughes), and three football grounds are incorrectly described: Crewe Alexandra play at Gresty (not Cresdy) Road; Nottingham Forests ground is The City (not the County) Ground; and Leyton Orient play at Brisbane Road (not Lane). However, this is a book that all Wrexham and Welsh football supporters will enjoy. It is eminently readable, and also includes many black-and-white and colour photographs. I particularly enjoyed the one of McNeil running over the Ynys-las dunes, which brought back many happy memories of watching Wrexham playing pre-season friendly matches at Aberystwyths Park Avenue. Thanks, Dixie, for sharing your memories of an illustrious career that is a model for all aspiring youngsters to emulate. Richard E. Huws It is possible to use this review for promotional purposes, but the following acknowledgment should be included: A review from www.gwales.com, with the permission of the Welsh Books Council. Gellir defnyddio'r adolygiad hwn at bwrpas hybu, ond gofynnir i chi gynnwys y gydnabyddiaeth ganlynol: Adolygiad oddi ar www.gwales.com, trwy ganiatd Cyngor Llyfrau Cymru. -- Welsh Books Council

Author Information

Peter Read is a full-time author and this is his tenth book. Ten of his plays have also been staged professionally, including the very successful 'Toshack or me'. His one-man-show about Dylan Thomas won 5-star reviews at the Edinburgh Festival in 2004 and 2005.

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