Kirk Dixon (born 19 July 1984), also known by the nickname of "Dicko", is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played as a centre or wing for Hull FC and the Castleford Tigers in the Super League.
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Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Kirk Dixon | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 19 July 1984 Kingston upon Hull, Humberside, England | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.87 m)[1] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 15 st 6 lb (98 kg)[2] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rugby union | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Wing, Outside centre | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Rugby league | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Centre, Wing | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Career
editDixon was born in Hull and played rugby union for Hull Ionians before starting his rugby league career with Hull FC[5][6][7] He briefly played rugby union for Northampton Saints before joining Castleford Tigers in October 2006 on a one-year contract.[8][9] Castleford manager Mick Robinson said: "Kirk is another player with Super league experience who has a lot to offer us. He has good vision and is a real try poacher."[10] Dixon scored 23 tries in the 2007 season, helping Castleford to promotion, and signed a two-year contract in October 2007.[11]
Dixon was given a new two-year deal following some good form in 2009.[12] He finished the club's top try scorer in this season. He won the coaches player of the year for 2009. He suffered a blood clot in 2009 that ruled him out for six months.[13]
Dixon signed a three-year contract in July 2011, until the end of the 2014 season.[14] A shoulder injury suffered in the Challenge Cup semi-final in August 2011 ended his season.[13][15] A neck injury ruled Dixon out for seven months in 2012.[13]
Dixon missed the start of the 2013 season with a calf injury but scored 11 tries in 21 games and signed a one-year extension to his contract in February 2014.[16][17][18] Daryl Powell described him as "...the ultimate professional [who] works harder than anyone".[19]
He played in the 2014 Challenge Cup Final defeat by the Leeds Rhinos at Wembley Stadium.[20]
Prior to the start of the 2015 season, Dixon announced his retirement following surgery to his neck.[7][21] He had scored 70 tries and 269 goals in 158 Super League games, and scored more than 1,000 points for Castleford.[6]
References
edit- ^ "Castleford Tigers First Team". web page. Castleford Tigers Rugby League Football Club Ltd. Archived from the original on 27 July 2011. Retrieved 18 June 2011.
- ^ "The official Engage Super League web site". web page. Super League. Retrieved 20 August 2011.
- ^ loverugbyleague
- ^ Rugby League Project
- ^ "Patience pays off for Ionians as Dixon inspires Cup triumph". The Yorkshire Post. 1 September 2003. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
- ^ a b "Kirk Dixon: Castleford respect swayed decision to retire". BBC Sport. 8 January 2015. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
- ^ a b "Kirk Dixon: Castleford Tigers man forced to retire with neck injury". BBC Sport. 7 January 2015. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
- ^ "Saints sign league centre Dixon". BBC Sport. 25 September 2006. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
- ^ "Saints' Dixon to return to league". BBC Sport. 12 October 2006. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
- ^ "Tigers Sign Dixon". Love Rugby League. 12 October 2006. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
- ^ "Tigers keep hold of trio". Sky Sports. 11 October 2007. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
- ^ "Tiger Dixon's deal delight". Love Rugby League. 7 July 2009. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
- ^ a b c "Injury jinx hits Kirk Dixon again". The Independent. 29 January 2013. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
- ^ "Dixon agrees Castleford stay". Sky Sports. 4 July 2011. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
- ^ "Dixon set for return". Love Rugby League. 10 January 2012. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
- ^ "Castleford Tigers suffer injury blow as winger Kirk Dixon tears calf muscle". Sky Sports. 29 January 2013. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
- ^ "1000 points for Dixon". Love Rugby League. 20 August 2013. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
- ^ "Super League: Kirk Dixon extends contract with Castleford Tigers". Sky Sports. 13 February 2014. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
- ^ "Super League: Castleford Tigers' Kirk Dixon hailed as 'the ultimate pro'". Sky Sports. 16 February 2014. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
- ^ "Leeds lift Challenge Cup after Ryan Hall's double stuns Castleford". The Guardian. 23 August 2014. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
- ^ Craven, Dave (6 January 2015). "Health now the priority as Dixon calls time on his career". The Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
External links
edit- (archived by web.archive.org) Castleford Tigers profile
- Cas profile