SpunkyBackpack
Well-Known Member
- Dec 8, 2005
- 7,831
- 9,372
Whilst pottering around twitter i came across this little blog bit on our old 'next big thing', 'the Irish Rooney', 'that kid with knees worse than Ledley who got fat and went to West Ham', Terry Dixon. Last i heard he was on a slippery slope and about to fall out of the game altogether, looks like he's on the path back up again now, giving it one last shot. Worth a couple of mins read if you're interested, if not, why did you click on the link in the first place? Weirdo.
Born nearby Islington, 15th January 1990 Terry Noel Dixon was on our books since the age of 8.
Ex Spur Garry Brooke was quick to see the potential in the youngster after impressing in a local youth team.
You would often see Terry's name in the academy squads from late 2005-07 lining up alongside the likes of Jake Livermore and David Button on a regular basis.
An effective strike partnership was formed with Tomas Pekhart, both regularly scoring as they did when we beat Blackburn 2-1 to top the U18 league in August 2006.
Then Academy manager Pat Holland often appeared to be encouraged by Terry's development"He's showing signs of maturing up front".
Injuries were starting to rack up just as the young striker was starting to make a name for himself.
Steve Staunton sensationally called up Dixon to the senior Ireland squad for a friendly against Chile in May 2006 stating “I just felt he has got a special talent and, if he progresses nicely, we will see the benefit in a couple of years”.Training for Ireland
Unfortunately Dixon failed to feature after being named on the bench - Chile won 1-0.
Shortly after the summer break would see Terry’s second call up to the Ireland squad, this time to play Holland where he later withdrew from the squad through injury.
The 2006-07 was near enough a complete write off. A dislocated kneecap kept him out of the majority of the season.
Having just turned 17, Dixon signed his first professional contract at theclub. The Academy prospect made 11 appearances for the Under-18 side.With Jol
Terry would go on to get more experience playing alongside the likes of Michael Dawson in Clive Allen’s reserve and Spurs XI sides after regaining match fitness.
A month later in February 2007, he was named FAI Under-17 International Player of the Year in the FAI Awards.
After returning from a 9 month injury lay off, in his first game back – the same injury would haunt Dixon once more. He was forced to be substituted and faced another 9 months of rehabilitation.
March 2008 would see the end of Terry’s time in a Spurs shirt following a consultation with the player, family and agents - his contract was paid up and subsequently released following the reoccurrence of the kneecap injury.
After his release its worth pointing out I saw him at the League Cup Final against Manchester United in 2009 – presumably supporting Spurs!
Following his release from Spurs it was speculated that retirement finished his playing career but this wasn’t the case.
"I wasn't just told I would never play for Spurs again, they said I would never play football again. I feel great, I’ve been in training for a while and it feels fine” – claimed Dixon, now a free agent.
A move across London to West Ham would surprise a few but with then manager Gianfranco Zola opting for a youth based squad ethic undoubtedly influenced Terry’s decision to sign at Upton Park despite interest from Wolves and Celtic in March 2009.WHU move
In just over a year into his 2 and a half year deal contracted to West Ham he was released. Later commenting on his departure: "I had fallen into some bad habits when I was out injured and I kept up those bad habits when I was at West Ham; drinking, staying out late, not eating right, just messing”.
"So I didn't do myself any favours at West Ham. I was an idiot but I have learned from that."
He scored in 2 reserve fixtures for the Irons in 8 appearances.
Once again being a free agent, he was linked with MLS side Colorado Rapids which failed to materialise.
In November 2010, he signed for Stevenage – making his second appearance from the bench in front of the ITV cameras against AFC Wimbledon in the FA Cup.
Terry made his senior league debut against Northampton Town in December 2010, again coming from the bench late on where he failed to turn around a 1-0 deficit.
The new year saw a move to Hertfordshire based Isthmian League Division One North side Ware FC making two substitute appearances before going AWOL, failing to turn up for numerous training sessions.
It was announced the following month he was on the move again.
Tooting and Mitcham would be Terry’s next destination with close friend and then left back Michael Noone on the club’s books, persuading Dixon to complete the move.
His only goal for the club in 5 games came with a fantastic scissor typed volley in a draw with Tonbridge, manager Mark Beard likening the goal to “something you would of seen Mark Hughes produce”.
Bradford City took a gamble on Dixon, where he signed a one-year development contract on August 31st 2011 having impressed manager Phil Parkinson – but was immediately loaned to Conference North side Halifax Town to help with the fitness issues.
It appeared the loan move was going well – back to back 90 minutes were achieved and all signs from Bradford indicated they were pleased with the progress.
The initial one month loan was extended, but injuries earned Dixon a recall to Bradford.
He failed to make a first team appearance at Bradford and was subsequently loaned back out to Conference South’s Dover Athletic.In action for Dover
The loan spell at Dover was extended after a bright start – Terry expressed an interest in staying til the end of the season, which was later finalised as a contract until May 2013 helping The Whites finish in 7th place.
He has featured in the opening few games of this season and appeared in last night’s 2-2 draw away to Sutton Utd.
We would like to wish Terry and Dover a successful season in the Blue Square Conference South.
Should credit the source too- http://www.thecockerelcrows.co.uk ive not heard of it before, don't ask me if it's any good, i haven't looked.
terry's dad.
