Profile

Born in Maryport in 1882, Billy Dixon was a utility back who came to the club thanks to the persuasive powers of committee man Mr George Kilner. Having arrived up in Cumberland on a mission to acquire new players, the Oldham official was at first given a point blank refusal by Dixon, but he agreed to accompany the Oldham man on a train journey to see the former Oldham favourite Tom Fletcher at High Harrington.

By the time the journey was over Billy was an Oldham player.
He started his Oldham career at the beginning of the 1903-04 season in the stand off half position and stayed there for most of his early appearances. Before long his versatility was recognised and he turned out regularly at scrum half and centre, also filling in when required on the wing. This was in probably the most successful period in the club’s history and Billy was playing in a team of the highest calibre.

A strong and determined character one of the favourite Dixon ploys was to try and burrow through to the line direct from a scrum or maul. This manoeuvre working to good effect in the 1910 League Championship final when such an effort led to him opening the scoring in the eventual 13 – 7 victory over Wigan.

Capped many times for Cumberland county, he was sometimes referred to as William Dixon “Senior”, due to the fact that another player of the same name was also playing for the club at that time. The other William was known as “Junior”, although more often than not they were respectively referred to as “Billy” and “Birdie”. Reputed to be a quiet retiring chap away from the playing field, he retired after sustaining an injury against Hull K.R. on Christmas Day 1911 and after his playing days, he assisted the local junior league as a referee.