Ex-England star is putting dark days behind him CHELSEA HELP ME TO BEAT THE BLUES
Imps are feeling chipper
FA CUP giant-killers Lincoln City reckon they can batter Arsenal in their quarter-final thanks to their secret weapon of fish and chips.
The non-league team have won a plaice in fans’ hearts with their never-say-die attitude when the chips are down. The Imps became FA Cup legends after beating Premier League Burnley 1-0 in the fifth round – making them the first non-league side in 103 years to reach the last eight.
And the Daily Star Sunday can reveal the recipe for their success is regular ED GLEAVE TROUBLED ex-footballer Kerry Dixon is making an inspired comeback at Chelsea after getting his life back on track.
The former England striker hit rock-bottom two years ago when he was jailed for nine months after a pub brawl.
Now, after having counselling, he is back at Stamford Bridge where he was a hero to Blues fans a generation ago.
Dixon – who scored 193 goals in 335 games for the club between 1983 and 1992 – told the Daily Star Sunday: “I’ve got a job back at Chelsea. I’m doing meet-and-greets with fans on match days.”
The 55-year-old, who is grateful to club bosses, said: “I’ve proved to them I’m on an upward curve and they’re prepared to go along with me, which I think is wonderful.
“I’m on a trial, with a view to them hopefully taking me on.”
After his release from jail the Professional Footballers Association arranged therapy sessions to help Dixon rebuild his life.
He said: “I see a counsellor and we chat. It’s about rebuilding my life back to what it was. And it means I’m talking to someone who can point out some of the pitfalls.
“I believe a lot of rehabilitation comes from within. I think I already know where a lot of pitfalls are, having experienced them first- helpings of fish and chips from Burton Road Chippy in Lincoln – courtesy of owners Lesley and Des. It was recently honoured as the second best independent chippy in the UK.
Lesley said: “We have always had a strong connection with the club. Chairman Bob Dorian has always been a regular customer and even came to cook fish and chips for the team. Imps management duo Danny and Nicky Cowley are regulars and Des and Lesley invited the club for lunch again.
Lesley added: “We spoke to their dietician – the only condition for the menu was no white bread, which only goes to show what a nutritious meal fish and chips is.
“We were ecstatic with hand. But a counsellor can reaffirm what I already believe.”
We told last year how Dixon has taken up plumbing to make ends meet. He said: “I know life doesn’t owe me anything. It’s up to me to put things right. And I will do that.
“I want to have a job that pays the bills – and be able to have some fun as well.” Referring to the brawl that Lincoln’s win against Ipswich and Brighton. To go on to beat Burnley was just out of this world. The whole city is buzzing.” Fellow non-league team Sutton Utd were beaten by Arsenal in the last round.
But they made headlines for the wrong reasons after reserve team keeper Wayne Shaw ate a pie during the match.
Lincoln will face the Gunners on Saturday. led to jail, he added: “I look back at what happened that night and know I won’t be getting into a situation like that again.”
In a long and glorious career he also played for Reading, Southampton, Luton, Millwall, Watford and Doncaster – and for England in the 1986 World Cup finals in Mexico.
Now a new film, Kerry Dixon – The Documentary, sees him looking back at the highs and lows.
He said: “It doesn’t matter where you are in life, a fall from grace can happen and it can be tough.
“People can take what they want from the film. They can pour scorn and say ‘how stupid’ or they can understand what I’m trying to do and wish me all the best.”