John Neal's Chelsea team were promoted back to the First Division as 1983-84 Second Division Champions, with goalkeeper Eddie Niedzwiecki, captain Colin Pates and centre forward Kerry Dixon appearing in all 42 league games. Dixon scored 28 league goals to claim the Second Division Golden Boot, including a hat-trick in the 5-0 victory versus Leeds United on the day Chelsea clinched promotion in April 1984 in front of over 33,000 fans at Stamford Bridge.
The 1984-85 First Division season began with an opening day fixture against Arsenal at Highbury, and provided a truly iconic Chelsea goal. With an estimated 20,000 Chelsea fans in the 45,000 crowd, and with The Blues trailing to a 35th minute Paul Mariner goal, cue Kerry Dixon, latching on to a long Doug Rougvie free kick aimed for a David Speedie flick-on. Kerry Dixon saw his initial shot saved by Pat Jennings in the Arsenal goal but, Chelsea's No9 readjusted for the rebounding ball, swivelled and sent a thunderous right foot volley into the top corner of the net in front of the visiting Chelsea fans massed on the Clock End. Chelsea were back, and Kerry Dixon would end the season sharing the First Division Golden Boot top goal scorer award with Leicester City's Gary Lineker.
SCORE DRAW Official Retro Shirt Match:
Arsenal 1 v 1 Chelsea.
Saturday 25 August 1984.
Football League Division 1.
Highbury.
Attendance 45,329.
Chelsea Team: 1.Eddie Niedzwiecki. 2.Colin Lee. 3.Doug Rougvie. 4.Colin Pates. 5.Joe McLaughlin . 6.Dale Jasper. 7.Pat Nevin. 8.Nigel Spackman. 9.Kerry Dixon. 10.David Speedie. 11.Paul Canoville. 12.Tony McAndrew.
