1927-28

The 1927-28 season was to be a triumph for both Dixie Dean and Everton, the team were to win their third League title while Dean was to score more goals in one season than anyone before or since. The English league record had been set the previous season when G Camseel scored 59 for Middlesgrough in division 2, the 1st division record had been set two seasons earlier by E Harper of Blackburn Rovers with 43.

Dean started the season like a train with sixteen goals in the first nine games, which included all five in a 5-2 win against Manchester United. He continued to score freely but in March 1928 Everton went four games in a row without scoring and this not only put Dean's scoring record in doubt but also the League title. With only nine games left Dean needed seventeen goals to claim the record, he netted ten in the first seven of these games. The penultimate game of the season was against Burnley and amazingly Dean was to score four times to set up a grand stand finish at Goodison in the final game of the season against Arsenal.

With the championship secured Everton went all out to help Dean score the three he needed. Two of the goals needed were scored in the first half, one a header from a Critchley corner and the other a penalty when Dean himself was brought down. There were just eight minutes left when Alec Troup floated a perfect cross deep into the heart of the Arsenal defence. The penalty area was packed but one man rose above all and from Troup's superb cross Dean headed his sixtieth goal of the season.

The ground erupted as history was made and the cheering lasted until the end of the game. In order that he was not mobbed at the end of the game Dean, with the permission of the referee, left the pitch early to a standing ovation.

A full record of his 60 goals.