Saturday 10th January 2026 vs Rams; the 100th appearance for Mark Dixon in the blue and white hoops.
We caught up with Mark ahead of the milestone to reflect on his journey, his current form, and what Sale FC means to him.
Reaching 100 appearances is a huge milestone. What does it mean to hit that number with Sale FC, and what’s kept you coming back week after week?
Reaching 100 appearances for Sale FC means a great deal to me. It represents years of commitment, trust from the coaches, and a real sense of belonging to the club. It’s not just about the rugby though; it’s a place where I’ve grown both as a player and as a person.
What keeps me coming back is definitely the people. Everyone at the club, from the coaches to the staff behind the scenes, they make every moment enjoyable.
On top of that, I get to play alongside a great group of lads, some of them will be friends for life. We push each other, we have each other’s backs, and we enjoy being around one another. When you’ve got that kind of environment, you always want to keep turning up and giving everything.
You’ve been in great form this season Dicko ,5 tries in 14 games and a huge amount of metres made. What’s clicked for you this year, and how much are you enjoying your rugby right now?
This season has been really enjoyable for me so far. I think a big part of it is the way the coaches have given us the licence to play what’s in front of us. That freedom suits me because I’ve always enjoyed playing heads-up rugby, taking space when it’s there and backing my instincts.
I have enjoyed my time on the wing last season and the start of this one, but I do feel like full-back is where I’m best suited. From there I can get on the ball more, run it back from deep and help get the team on the front foot. I’ve also put a big emphasis on improving my high-ball, which has helped me feel more confident and reliable in the backfield.
People see the performances on Saturdays, but not always the work behind the scenes. What does a ‘typical week’ look like for you balancing rugby with life off the pitch?
A typical week for me revolves around finding the balance between rugby and life off the pitch. Coming into the club on Tuesdays and Thursdays for training and seeing the boys gives me that chance to switch off from work life and really focus on rugby. It’s not just about the sessions themselves — it’s about being around the lads, working hard together, and getting into the right mindset for the weekend. And just generally having a laugh.
Outside of that, I try to keep on top of my fitness and recovery, but those training days are the highlight. They give you that mental reset, and when Saturday comes around, you’re ready to go.
If you could sum up your journey to 100 appearances in one message to the fans and Minis & Juniors watching on, what would you say?
To the fans — thanks for all the support you give to the team every home game. The boys do really appreciate it and it’s a great atmosphere to play in when Heywood Road is busy! It’s also nice to have a beer with some of you after the game. My order is a Guinness, just in case you were wondering. Never say no to a badger.
Minis & Juniors … enjoyment is the key thing when you’re young. Surround yourself with good people and work hard and you will get what you want out the game. Don’t condition yourself too early! You learn through making mistakes. Express yourself with a smile on your face and the rest will take care of itself!
Every player has moments that stick with them. Is there a particular match, try, or off-field moment at Sale FC that really stuck with you?
I’d say the 21/22 season promotion push year as a whole was a good period. We came up short against a very good Caldy team in the end, but the belief we had in that squad was unreal. We had some memorable second-half comebacks and last-minute wins!
Off field moment… Browny losing his front teeth on the Christmas social! I still watch that video when I’m sad and it always has me in stitches!
Congratulations to Mark on reaching 100 appearances for Sale FC Rugby.
Now it’s Leeds Tykes to prepare for.
💙🤍 #OneSaleFC
You must be logged in to post a comment.