Kirk Dixon

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.

Kirk Dixon
Personal information
Full nameKirk Dixon
Born (1984-07-19) 19 July 1984
England
Playing information
Height187 cm (6 ft 2 in) [1]
Weight98 kg (15 st 6 lb) [2]
Rugby league
PositionCentre, Wing
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2004–06 Hull F.C. 17 6 4 0 32
2007–14 Castleford Tigers 160 72 308 0 904
Total 177 78 312 0 936
Rugby union
PositionWing, Outside centre
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2006 Northampton Saints
Source: [3][4]

Career

Dixon was born in Hull and played rugby union for Hull Ionians before starting his rugby league career with Hull F.C.[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 semifinal 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
  1. "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.
  2. "The official Engage Super League web site". web page. Super League. Retrieved 20 August 2011.
  3. loverugbyleague
  4. Rugby League Project
  5. "Patience pays off for Ionians as Dixon inspires Cup triumph". Yorkshire Post. 1 September 2003. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
  6. "Kirk Dixon: Castleford respect swayed decision to retire". BBC Sport. 8 January 2015. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
  7. "Kirk Dixon: Castleford Tigers man forced to retire with neck injury". BBC Sport. 7 January 2015. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
  8. "Saints sign league centre Dixon". BBC Sport. 25 September 2006. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
  9. "Saints' Dixon to return to league". BBC Sport. 12 October 2006. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
  10. "Tigers Sign Dixon". Love Rugby League. 12 October 2006. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
  11. "Tigers keep hold of trio". Sky Sports. 11 October 2007. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
  12. "Tiger Dixon's deal delight". Love Rugby League. 7 July 2009. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
  13. "Injury jinx hits Kirk Dixon again". The Independent. 29 January 2013. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
  14. "Dixon agrees Castleford stay". Sky Sports. 4 July 2011. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
  15. "Dixon set for return". Love Rugby League. 10 January 2012. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
  16. "Castleford Tigers suffer injury blow as winger Kirk Dixon tears calf muscle". Sky Sports. 29 January 2013. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
  17. "1000 points for Dixon". Love Rugby League. 20 August 2013. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
  18. "Super League: Kirk Dixon extends contract with Castleford Tigers". Sky Sports. 13 February 2014. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
  19. "Super League: Castleford Tigers' Kirk Dixon hailed as 'the ultimate pro'". Sky Sports. 16 February 2014. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
  20. "Leeds lift Challenge Cup after Ryan Hall's double stuns Castleford". Guardian. 23 August 2014. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
  21. Craven, Dave (6 January 2015). "Health now the priority as Dixon calls time on his career". Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
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