Lee Dixon

1.1. Childhood and Youth Career

Born on March 17, 1964, in Manchester, England, Lee Dixon was the son of Roy Dixon, a former Manchester City goalkeeper. Growing up, Dixon spent many of his formative years on the terraces at Maine Road, the home ground of Manchester City, becoming a boyhood supporter of the club.

He began his professional playing career in the lower divisions of English football. After leaving school in 1980, he joined Burnley as an apprentice, turning professional with the club in 1982.

2.1. Early Career

Dixon made his professional debut with Burnley, playing a handful of games before being released by manager John Bond. He then signed for Chester City in 1984, where he played for one and a half seasons. During his time at Chester City, he experienced the club finishing bottom of the entire Football League in the 1983-84 season. Across two seasons with Chester, he made 57 appearances, scoring one goal.

In 1985, Dixon moved to Bury, where he made 45 appearances and scored six goals in his single season with the club. His performances earned him a move to Stoke City in 1986 for a transfer fee of 50.00 K GBP. At Stoke, he instantly impressed, forming a strong defensive partnership with Steve Bould. In the 1986-87 season, he played in 50 matches, scoring three goals, and in 1987-88, he made 38 appearances, scoring twice. The potential and performances of Dixon and Bould attracted the attention of George Graham, the manager of Arsenal, especially after Arsenal defeated Stoke 3-0 in a League Cup Fourth Round tie in November 1987.

2.2. Arsenal

In January 1988, George Graham brought Dixon to First Division side Arsenal for a fee of 375.00 K GBP, following the departure of England right-back Viv Anderson to Manchester United. Five months later, his former Stoke teammate Steve Bould also joined him at Highbury, Arsenal's home ground.

Initially, Dixon faced competition for a first-team role at Arsenal, as England international Kenny Sansom played at left-back, and the left-sided Nigel Winterburn was successfully deployed in the unfamiliar right-back position. Dixon made his debut for Arsenal against Luton Town on February 13, 1988, marking his first appearance in the First Division. He played six times in total before the season ended and was cup-tied, preventing him from participating in the 1988 League Cup Final. For the 1989-90 season, Winterburn moved back to his natural left-back position, allowing Dixon to take over the No. 2 shirt, a position he would hold for well over ten years. Sansom subsequently left Arsenal.

Dixon became an integral part of Arsenal's renowned defense, which also included captain Tony Adams, Nigel Winterburn, and later, Steve Bould and Martin Keown. This defensive unit, often referred to as the "Famous Four" (Dixon, Winterburn, Adams, and Bould/Keown), was the linchpin of Arsenal's success. Dixon, known as a marauding right-back, was always willing to support his winger David Rocastle and contribute to attacks, even though his primary responsibility was defense. He also had a brief spell as the club's penalty taker.

In the 1988-89 season, Arsenal dramatically won their first league title in 18 years on the final day of the season against Liverpool at Anfield. With Arsenal needing to win by two goals, the score was 1-0 in the final minute. Dixon delivered a long ball to Alan Smith, whose run created space for Michael Thomas to score the decisive goal, securing the title.

Arsenal's defense, reinforced by the arrival of David Seaman in goal, became even stronger in the 1990-91 season, when they won the league championship again with just one defeat all season. In the 1992-93 season, Arsenal achieved a domestic cup double, winning both the Football League Cup and the FA Cup. Dixon was suspended for the League Cup final but returned for the FA Cup final replay, which Arsenal won 2-1 against Sheffield Wednesday.

In 1994, Dixon added a European medal to his collection when Arsenal won the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. The Arsenal defense, including Dixon, Winterburn, Bould, and Adams, famously nullified the attacking threats of Parma's Tomas Brolin, Gianfranco Zola, and Faustino Asprilla, securing a 1-0 victory in Copenhagen. Dixon also played in the 1995 Cup Winners' Cup final in Paris, where Arsenal lost to Real Zaragoza after a spectacular lob from 40 yards by Nayim in the final minute of extra time.

On October 1, 1996, Arsène Wenger arrived at Highbury as manager. Wenger, who initially expected to replace the veteran defenders, quickly realized their quality and credited them with extending their careers through his introduced lifestyle policies, including changes to diet and self-awareness. Under Wenger, Arsenal won their second domestic "double" in the 1997-98 season, clinching both the Premier League and FA Cup. Dixon received a testimonial match the following year, marking his tenth full season at the club.

In 2000, Dixon was part of the Arsenal team that reached the UEFA Cup final in Copenhagen, but they were defeated by Galatasaray of Turkey on penalties. The following year, Arsenal again reached the FA Cup final, losing 2-1 to Liverpool at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, with the 37-year-old Dixon being outpaced by the 21-year-old Michael Owen for the winning goal. Dixon played one more season, helping Arsenal secure another historic "double"-the club's third and Wenger's second-by clinching the league title over rivals Manchester United at their home ground, Old Trafford. This achievement made him one of the few players to win league titles in three different decades (the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s).

Dixon retired from playing after this second double win in 2002, at the age of 38, alongside Tony Adams. At the time of his retirement, he had played at 91 out of the 92 Football League grounds, missing only Fulham's Craven Cottage. In total, he made 619 appearances for Arsenal across all competitions, placing him fourth in the club's all-time appearance record. Ryan Giggs, a legendary Manchester United winger, identified Dixon as the "toughest right-back" he ever faced.

4.1. Media Career

Since his playing retirement, Dixon has established himself as a respected football pundit and columnist. He began his television career with the BBC, contributing to programs such as Match of the Day, Match of the Day 2, Score, and Football Focus. In July 2012, he moved to ITV Sport, where he worked alongside fellow pundit and former player Roy Keane.

From 2013, Dixon became a co-lead commentator for the Premier League on NBC Sports coverage in the USA, initially working with Arlo White until summer 2022, and subsequently with Peter Drury. He has also contributed to NBC's Premier League Download program.

Beyond traditional media, Dixon has also been involved in video game commentary. In 2018, he co-commentated UEFA Champions League matches in the EA Sports video game FIFA 19 alongside Derek Rae. This partnership continued in FIFA 20 and FIFA 21, where he also commentated on some 'default' games (kick-off, tournament, career, and Ultimate Team modes). However, he was replaced by Stewart Robson in FIFA 22.

4.2. Other Interests and Charitable Work

In addition to his media work, Dixon has pursued several business interests, including the former Riverside Brasserie, which is now known as The Mediterranevm, located in Bray, Berkshire. He originally co-owned the restaurant with his friend, the renowned chef Heston Blumenthal.

Dixon developed a passion for cycling in 2010, becoming "completely hooked" and regularly cycling two or three times a week. His interest was sparked when Lawrence Dallaglio persuaded him to participate in the 'Dallaglio Cycle Slam' during the Six Nations Championship in February of that year. This charitable event raised over 986.00 K GBP for Sport Relief.

In a more whimsical anecdote, prior to 2013, Dixon adopted a Southern Boobook owl at the Kirkleatham Owl Centre in Middlesbrough, naming it "Hooty McOwlface." The owl's unique name went viral in 2013, famously influencing the subsequent naming of the National Oceanography Center's new autonomous underwater vehicle as Boaty McBoatface.

5.1. Club Honours

Arsenal

• Football League First Division: 1988-89, 1990-91
• Premier League: 1997-98, 2001-02
• FA Cup: 1992-93, 1997-98, 2001-02
• Football League Cup: 1992-93
• FA Charity Shield: 1991 (shared), 1998, 1999
• European Cup Winners' Cup: 1993-94

5.2. Individual Honours

• PFA Team of the Year: 1986-87 Second Division, 1989-90 First Division, 1990-91 First Division
• Stoke Player of the Year: 1987

6.1. Club Statistics

^a The "Other" column constitutes appearances and goals in the FA Community Shield, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, Mercantile Credit Centenary Trophy, Full Members Cup and Football League Trophy.

6.2. International Statistics