Terry Dixon in astonishing comeback
Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 2:08PM 
Remember Terry Dixon? Very highly rated youngster on the books at Spurs a few years back who without making a league appearance (or a reserve one at that), managed to win a call-up to the Republic of Ireland squad for a friendly match against Russia back in 2006. Dixon (probably because of his physical stature and shaved head) was being touted as the Irish Wayne Rooney. Superficial comparisons aside, the kid was a precocious talent and in fact had plenty in common with Rooney. Those who witnessed him in full flight saw a strong, confident young lad with bundles of skill. Irish Rooney? Perhaps. Way ahead in terms of ability of all the other 16 year old players at the time. Which is probably why Ireland took a cheeky look at him.
But, alas, we never got to see him beyond the academy team.
The club released him back in March 2008 (cancelling his contract) due a couple of very serious knee injuries (he managed to repeatedly dislocate his right knee). Once is bad enough, twice is pretty devastating. Several operations and failed comebacks meant Dixon was let go. The suggestion (according to medical staff) was he'd never be able to play top flight football, at least at the competitive level required to make the grade in a first team squad in the Premier League. Which is why he's signed for West Ham.
Sorry, that joke would have worked better if we were ABOVE the Hammers.
In all seriousness, I'm chuffed to bits he is back at a professional level. Shocked, but chuffed. This is a young lad who's dream was retired after almost an age was spent attempting to get him fit and primed for a fulfilling career. Seems a stint in Belgium with a knee-specialist along with further rehabilitation at West Ham has worked a treat. Obviously. Otherwise why would West Ham sign him on a three year contract?
Prodigy (not Carr, he's just a git)Two years out with a serious injury at a critical stage of his development along with disciplinary issues (mostly off the field) along with the fact that Spurs were amazingly patient for a very lengthy time, working to get him back to fitness - makes it an astonishing comeback. Its a bit unexpected.
I wish him all the best at West Ham and hope he makes a full recovery, as unbelievable as it might have seemed had we discussed the possibility 5 months back. Even if he scores a cracker against us, I'd applaud (quietly in my mind).
If he doesn't make the grade at West Ham, I hope he makes it somewhere else. The lad obviously has a never say die attitude and wants football in his life, regardless of the odds stacked against him.
Reader Comments (32)
From the WH website:
"West Ham United are pleased to announce the signing of highly-rated Republic of Ireland youth international striker Terry Dixon on a three-year contract.
The 19-year-old forward put pen to paper after proving his fitness with the club in recent months. Dixon had been released by Tottenham Hotspur in March 2008 after concerns over past problems with his right knee"
Dressing that up a little bit. He was once upon a time highly rated. Most have forgotten he even existed or that he was plugging away at a comeback.
Also, to suggest Spurs released him after some concerns is fucking hilarious. The club worked their bollocks off to save this guys career, it wasn't an easy thing to cancel his contract, but there was simply no way back for him.
I agree its incredible that he has earned himself a 3 year deal, but I wonder how much of it is based on his past rather than how his knees hold up in the future.
Good luck to him.
I hope this one doesn't come back to bite a huge chunk out of our backside. Saw Dixon play for the academy.Great little player. An idiot outside of the game. Still only 19 but I guess hes done a lot of growing up.
Jumping on cars isn't the best way for a footballer to spend his free time.
-Dave
Hope Robknapp doesn't mind me re-posting this from a thread over at GG:
"Spurs wanted him to take his coaching badges. he wanted to carry on chasing the dream of playing. released by the club but all very amicably. he spent some time in the US having a lot of ops and extensive physio done. he wasn't ready to give up but the docs said he should.
always wanted to see him back in football as do his family. tottenham boy from a tottenham famiy. very naturally talented and yes missed a big part of his career at a very important stage but he was always miles ahead of anyone else anyway. unbelievable first touch and technique plus a big (ginger) lad for his age which is where the rooney comparisons have come from imo.
yeah he had a bit of an attitude as a kid but who doesn't, let alone who doesn't who's bein told thy're the best thing since sliced bread.
fingers crossed for him. want him to do well"
Hammers fans. You might have a gem in your ranks.
I have a bad feeling about this one.
Hindsight. Dixon had two very very serious knee injuries.
At the time Spurs made the right decision to let him go. There was never any guarantee he would make the grade anyway (how many highly rated academy players disappear into obscurity?)
He would have done good to make anything out it and might well do just that but anyone who expects Rooney MK II is dreaming.
Did I read that right? 3 YEAR CONTRACT???? That's a bit generous. Wonder what clauses have been agreed.
Don't quite get why West Ham are making a big deal of this.
Spooky mate, you're looking through rose-tinted glasses. But then you always had a thing for Terry Dixon like one or two of us. We've been starved of academy players making the grade and Dixon would have had he continued to progress. Shame what happened happened.
Don't think he'll be half the player he could have been.
Dear Mr Levy,
I applaud your generosity in wishing the boy well even though it may hurt if he turns out to be a legend.
Conversely, for those who have expressed sentiments that you hope he fails as this would make you feel bad - shame on you
If you're upset about us losing him, don't worry. Redknapp will just buy him back in the next window.
£15M should do the trick.
:)
Don't agree we've made a big thing of this. Low key signing, and probably not on that much money in comparison to actual first team seasoned players.
http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/2008/03/08/story57237.asp
For anyone who wants a bit of history.
I mean sued.
From that link Iron Man posted:
"It’s understood that the specialists who have tried to rebuild the player’s shattered knee are of the opinion that it will never stand up to the rigours of intensive training, never mind the pressure of top-flight football itself. The clear implication then is that, at the age of just 18, Terry’s career as a professional footballer is effectively over. People close to the Londoner suggest that he hasn’t fully absorbed the news and still believes he can continue to play at a high level in the game. But while one would love to think that he could prove the experts wrong, the concern must be that, in pushing himself and his fragile knee to the limit, he would only succeed in doing himself further physical damage in the long run"
Fuck me. If he makes it, those 'doctors' need to be sured.
So the specialists who looked at his knee, I guess on the visit Dixon spent in the US, thought it was impossible for him to play professional football. Yet here he is on a 3 year contract.
Thats outrageously fantastic. Even if he turns out to be average and ends up in league two, its still fantastic.
'Irish Wayne Rooney'
Yes. It's been pointed out to me.
Jumping on cars isn't the best way for a footballer to spend his free time.
-Dave
Jumping OVER cars. Zany.
There must be conditions in his contract to protect West Ham should his knee give in 20 minutes into his debut....oh, sorry its West Ham, they don't know how to draw up a legally binding contract.
Where are you posted? How do you manage to mantain your website whilst on active duty?
I dont get this at all. Doctors, I'm assuming independent to the club, told Spurs and Dixon he risked permanent damage if he attempted to play football again. Astonishing is not the word I'd use. Fuckingunbelievable is far more apt.
Anonymous said...
Where are you posted? How do you manage to mantain your website whilst on active duty?
11 February 2009 19:35
I think it's time I edit that out of the profile bit as its a reference thats causing some confusion.
spooky, you really are a naughty boy: you've got the masses over the official forum fighting over this blog
do you watch the academy team play? I must confess that I've never seen them play - perhaps I'll make a trip into the big smoke to watch them whup the young goons
What official forum is that?
Had no idea Spurs had an official forum for fans.
Oh that. Does that count?
http://forums.tottenhamhotspur.com/showthread.php?t=9546
Archiesbald, head up my solider. Don't let plastics beat you down.
those nutjobs on the official forum do make me chuckle - I don't look there very often but whenever I do somebody is being called an Arse fan just cos they don't praise Levy and his cohorts or cos they deviate from the norm
I've tried joining but they won't let me in - reckon Levy's web-bots have reported that know that I visit this blog - you have ruined my life, spooky - I wanna be on the official forum
I was going to sign up and say hello, but noticed you need to be a season ticket holder/member - which means Levy will know exactly who I am.
Maybe that thread is simply a ploy by the chairman to discover my identity.
I WASN'T BORN YESTERDAY LEVY, YOU SONOFABITCH.
You crack me up mate, crack me up !
we will probabley buy him back in 6 monthes anyway dont worry lads