Alan Hodgkinson

[Bladeloyal]

R.i.p hodgy a true blades legend ,the first keeper I saw down at the lane what a privilege that was .

 

[SandyMcBlade]

They don't build them like that any more, it's a privilege to have been around to see him back in the days when Sheffield had the two best goalkeepers in the country .....

 

[Fjortoft's Aeroplane]

R.I.P - A true Blades legend.

 

[Cyprus Blade]

The best keeper we ever had - R.I.P Hodgy.


· Born: 16 August, 1936

· Playing career: 1954-1971 - Sheffield United, 576 games, 1957-60 - England, five games

· Coaching career: Rangers, Everton, Manchester City, Aston Villa, Leicester City, Sheffield Wednesday, Gillingham, Birmingham City, Scotland, Manchester United, Watford, Coventry, Rushden & Diamonds, Oxford United.

 

[boo radley]

Your first group of hero players from your childhood always stay with you. So when it is time for each of them to leave us, it can hurt deep because even if you never knew them, they were a massive part of your life.
RIP.

 

[Old Skool]

They don't build them like that any more, it's a privilege to have been around to see him back in the days when Sheffield had the two best goalkeepers in the country .....

Didnt realise Hodgy was a twin !!!

 

[Fulwood Blade]

that is White Hart Lane - presume this picture and the one later is how they warmed up before a game - or is there another reason? England perhaps?

UTB

 

[mosbolad]

What a gentleman and what a fantastic career. Well over 600 games for the Blades and coached up into his 70s ending his career at Oxford United only retiring in 2011. Sadly missed.

 

[Caveblade]

RIP Hodgy what a career.

 

[JJ Sefton]

They don't build them like that any more, it's a privilege to have been around to see him back in the days when Sheffield had the two best goalkeepers in the country .....

High praise for Bob Widdowson!

 

[Silent Blade]

that is White Hart Lane - presume this picture and the one later is how they warmed up before a game - or is there another reason? England perhaps?

UTB

Yes the other player is Derek Kevan

 

[mosbolad]

Didnt realise Hodgy was a twin !!!

Time and place. Not the time, not the place.

 

[FTPE]

We'll have a reyt side up there!
RIP

 

[oaklandrdblade]

My Aunty often told me the story of how when she was young and went to the games with a friend that Cec Coldwell, who was a family friend, told Hodgy to keep an eye on the two girls behind his goal as if anything happened to them Cec'd get in trouble with my grandad.

 

[Foxy]

Bad news, RIP Alan Hodgkinson.

 

[Shalalalafenoughty]

Sad news.

He was the established goalkeeper when I started going in 1964 and he was virtually ever-present until John Hope took over in January, 1971. The only matches he missed were odd ones at the end of the season when they'd give Bob Widdowson a game.

Very popular with the fans. They loved his mock gunshots at the lads at the back of the Kop as he ran towards the Shoreham Street end and they loved his throwing into the crowd as gifts the "kicking-in" balls from time to time.

I remember him for the cap he used to wear on sunny days which just like the cap your dad used to wear. I remember him for his agility and in particular for his ability to come off his line and pluck the ball off the toes of an opposition striker through on goal - a collective holding of breath followed by a huge roar of relief. I remember him for doing that thing keepers did in those days of swinging on the crossbar and pulling it down to ensure a shot went over. I remember him for a brilliant save at the Kop end in the epic League Cup win over Leeds in the 1970-71 season. And I remember him being kind enough to sign an eight-year-old lad's autograph book in the Pavilion at a Yorkshire CCC game in 1966 - he had a Sheffield United Cricket Club blazer on and I think he used to play for them during the summer.

He went on a bit too long - he was definitely a bit of a weak link by the time he was replaced but wanting to carry on playing for the club you love and have served loyally for a decade and a half is hardly the worst crime in the world, is it?

RIP, Hodgy.

 

[BushBlade]

RIP Hodgy.

 

[Harry's Game]

Before my time but my Dad who saw them all from the 1930's to The 2000s said Hodgkinson was our best keepe ever. (He placed Alan Kelly as runner up)

A couple of years back around the time of that 150th awards ceremony my dad also picked His top Blades players he'd ever seen

1. Hagan
2. Currie
3. J. Shaw
4. Hodkinson
5. Pace

( he had Woodward 6th)

Only TC left now.

RIP Alan Hodgkinson.

 

[Large Mendonca]

I'll be glad when this years over.......RIP Hodgy

 

[Dnblade]

Blades legend!...One of the best,great shot stopper,and I often remember seeing the ball heading towards the top corner,and he'd somehow dive across from nowhere to tip it over the bar...Sad news...RIP Hodgy.

 

[Deadbat]

My Dad and Uncles always raved about him. Said he was not that tall but brave as a lion and would command and take crosses.

I used to really rate Tracey and Kelly but even my Dad said Hodgy was the best keeper we ever had by a way.

United lost arguably 2 of its greatest 10 ever post war players in Hodgy and Alan Woodward and along with Joe Shaw 2 tremendous servants to the club.

 

[Captain]

Quality keeper, best I've seen in a Blades shirt.
RIP Alan

 

[Alfreton14Blade]

Very sad. Before my time, but clearly a true & revered legend.

RIP Alan.

 

[zablade]

Like a few have said before my time but like a few have also said older relatives all rated him our best ever keeper.

True legend, Deserves a big turn out Sunday now for the pre match tribute.

 

[Edinblade]

RIP Hodgy, I just loved watching you in that team of legends.

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

Just before my time really. The generation before me idolised him, though. I would rave about the up and coming Tom McAllister, they all said 'if he's half as good as Hodgy, he'll be reight."

So soon after the passing of Woody as well. It's been a year of big Blade losses.

RIP Alan, sir!

 

[TexasBlade]

Sad to hear this. Definitely my boyhood hero. Great goalkeeper. Can recommend his book "Between the Sticks" as a good read if you want to hear his thoughts on his time with United. RIP.

 

[Lane Ender]

A true legend of The Lane
RIP Hodgy
Hodgy Hodgy Hodgy Hodgy Hodgy Hodgy Hodgy
Used to run out to that chant from the Shoreham

 

[Hugh Nitedite]

RIP Hodgy...a true Blades Legend, never forgotten.

 

[SouthEssexBlade]