Johnny Morrissey – Winner of the 35th Dixie Dean Memorial Award, 30 October 2026

Click to play the short newsreel of the event (filmed and edited by Lewis Royden, interviews Mike Royden)

On 30 October 2026, the Alex Young Suite at Goodison Park played host to the 35th Dixie Dean Memorial Award presentation event. The deserved recipient on this occasion was the Toffees’ double league title-winning winger, John Morrissey. Signed from Liverpool in 1962, the man from Scotland Road racked up 315 appearances in 11 years with the club, earning a reputation for skill that was matched by his toughness – no defender took liberties with John Morrissey! Fittingly, he received the treasured trophy from another boyhood Red-turned-Blue, who has two league championship medals, Peter Reid.

Three generations of the Dean family were present in the packed venue, including Dixie’s daughter Barbara. They saw the two MCs, Ken Rogers and Dave Prentice, welcome the attendees and explain the background to the award, which was instigated shortly after the legendary centre-forward’s death in 1980.

[Ken Rogers, who co-organised the event, is the chairman of Everton FC Heritage Society. He is the former Sports Editor for the Liverpool Echo and has been involved in every one of the thirty-five memorial awards going back to 1980. David Prentice, is also a member of the society, and he too was former Sports Editor of the Echo, before taking on the role of PR Manager (Football Media) for Everton Football Club during 2022-26. As they said on the night, both are certainly ‘True Blues’]

The list of award recipients, initially from all three sides of the Mersey – Everton, Liverpool and Tranmere Rovers, was reviewed. Now under the loving curation of Everton FC Heritage Society, the award is dedicated to those from the Blue half of the city.

As is customary at these events, singer-songwriter Gerry Markey set the mood with a spine-tingling rendition of The Ballad of Dixie Dean. He was followed by two members of the Heritage Society, reflecting on elements of the epic Dean story.

Jamie Yates shared the fruits of his recent research into the motorcycle crash in the spring of 1926, that could have cost Dean his promising playing career, or even his life. Present in the audience was Brian Pope, grandson of Evelyn Jones, who had been riding out with Dean on the fateful Sunday afternoon.

A full account of Jamie’s research can be found on our website by clicking this link

Next, Rob Sawyer reflected on the club-mates who helped Dixie to the unsurpassed haul of sixty league goals in the 1927/28 season, including wingers Alec Troup and Ted Critchley, plus team trainer Harry Cooke.

Rob has written numerous articles about the players of the 1927/28 side, and many more into the thirties too. His most recent account features Alec Troup, an ever-present that season, and can be found on our website by clicking this link.

……………………………………………………………………………….

The Dixie Dean Memorial Award Presentation

Film Tribute

Before John Morrissey stepped forward to be presented with the trophy, there was a video montage of some of his finest moments in the royal blue shirt, followed by tributes on screen from Heritage Society founder Dr David France, Colin Harvey and last year’s winner, Derek Temple. The latter two pieces were filmed specially for the event.

Presentation by Peter Reid

Having received the trophy from Peter Reid, and held it aloft in triumph, John sat down with Dave Prentice to discuss his playing career. There were battles with Leeds United and being in Jack Charlton’s infamous ‘Little Black Book’. John also shared a couple of Bill Shankly anecdotes (Shankly, famously, was incandescent when the Liverpool board sanctioned John’s sale to Everton). As the former wingman sat down, a chorus of ‘Oh Johnny Morrissey’ spontaneously erupted.

A selection of the images on display while Johnny and David were in conversation…

John Morrissey jnr

In fact, there were two John Morrisseys in the room who had played for Everton. Better known as a club legend at Tranmere Rovers, John Morrissey Junior came through the Blues’ youth system at Bellefield and made two senior appearances in the 1984/85 campaign. In conversation with Dave Prentice, he reflected on the difficulty of breaking into the Toffees most successful team with Trevor Steven undroppable in his favoured position. He also gave an insight into his father’s influence as he grew up, including ultra-competitive kick-abouts in the back garden, and tuition in ‘how to look after yourself’ on the pitch from a master of that art.

……………………………………………………………………….

After a break, and an opportunity for photos with the special guests plus an autograph or two, Ken firstly invited Ronny Goodlass up to the stage, followed by Peter Reid, who joined David to continue the conversation about his time at Everton and the transition into management. Both were on fine form and had the audience in hysterics several times as they recounted numerous anecdotes from their playing careers. 

Ronny Goodlass

Peter Reid

The joyful evening of Evertonia was drawn to a close by viewing the collage of goals taken from the Everton FC Heritage Society film ‘Memories of Goodison Park’ (below). Fittingly, it starts with an early goal by Johnny Morrisey in his first season at Everton, and ends with Dixie cleanly striking the ball in training, followed by his big smile to the camera. It was an emotional end to the evening, especially as we were all back in our spiritual home once more time. It certainly brought a tear to the eye to more than a few of the Evertonians present.

Final Film Clip

Goals collage extract – shown at the Dixie Dean Memorial Award evening

The second film was also put together by Mike and Lewis Royden as part of the Memories of Goodison Park film for Everton FC Heritage Society. This special edit, created to draw our evening to a close, featured the collage of goals from the end of the original film. There are so many nostalgic and iconic moments, that it came as no surprise to see many of our audience wiping away a tear during the final moments, especially as we were sitting in our spiritual home.

Memories of Goodison Park (Full Film)

Should you wish to watch the full film that the collage comes from, featuring two of the most knowledgeable experts in the study of Everton history – Ken Rogers and Rob Sawyer – please click below.

Another successful event wrapped up, and the attendees departed the Grand Old Lady. Thank you to the organisers (Ken Rogers, Dave Prentice, Mike and Lewis Royden), guests and attendees for making this such a special night.

Our thoughts already turn to next season’s event and who might receive one of the greatest honours to be bestowed on a servant of Everton Football Club.

………………………………………………………………………………..

Rob Sawyer – Words

Mike Royden – Additional words and webpage edit and layout

Lewis Royden – Report of the evening film – filming and editing

Tribute film and collage

Lewis Royden (filming and editing), Mike Royden (production), Ken Rogers (interviews)

Many thanks to Colin Harvey and Derek Temple for inviting us to their homes to pay tribute on film to our guest of honour Johnny Morrissey

………………………………………………………………………………..

Thanks and Acknowledgements

Ken Rogers and Mike Royden – event organisers

Ken and David Prentice – scripts, presentation and interviews

Lewis Royden – photography, all filming and editing

Mike Royden – Screen display presentations, report interviews

Rob Sawyer – photography & report, 1927/28 School of Science presentation

Jamie Yates – Dixie Dean Motor Cycle Accident presentation

Becky Tallentire – Door admissions (awarded the door monitor badge)

Morrissey and Dean/Prentice families

Ronny Goodlass and Peter Reid – many thanks for your contribution to a successful evening

Ell Barnes-Reen (EFC) – arranging the loan of the FA Cup (Jamie you’ve got to give it back!)

Goodison Park Staff – bar, door security, car park staff, technicians, suite preparation

………………………………………………………………………………..

Gallery

……………………………………………..

After everyone had left, there was an opportunity to take it all in once more, and an absolute privilege to have Goodison Park to ourselves, even though it was quite eerie in the pitch black!

Full reports of previous Dixie Dean Memorial Award events can be found here