Alan Hodgkinson - Between the Sticks

[Darren]

So the whole book is probably fiction.

Indeed. Presumably Adams has a vague memory of the game in question being on Sky and Arsenal winning. Wouldn't take much research to find such a game you could pin the drunk story on.

 

[Mad Mick]

when I first saw Hodgey in the mid 60's he was still a great goalkeeper. I do remember him changing his style from catching to more punching. But that was probably because everyone around him was much bigger.
He did seem to lose enthusiasm when up against penalties, he more often than not didn't seem to dive. I may be wrong, it's a long time ago. I wondered if he saved many pens?

 

[Silent Blade]

My sad realisation that Hodgy wasn't the force my child-like hero worship had always known came at Norwich early in the 68-9 season (I think?). Norwich were simply putting crosses into the six yard box, keepers territory in those days, but the muscular Hugh Curran was outjumping Hodgy every time and leaving him flattened (keepers weren't protected species then). Hodgy became disgruntled and spent most of his time berating the ref and his own defenders to deflect from his declining standards.
The fact he went on another couple of years is testimony to his determination and grit.

I still remember John Hope's debut at Oxford after Hodgy got dropped. He came out and caught the crosses which made my dad (who liked Hodgy a lot until that season) stand up from his seat and applauding Hope's catches and challenges. Hope was very good for us in 1971 (apart from the 5-0 defeat at West Ham) before losing his confidence by making mistakes in the 5-0 home defeat against Arsenal on 29th January 1972

 

[Silent Blade]

when I first saw Hodgey in the mid 60's he was still a great goalkeeper. I do remember him changing his style from catching to more punching. But that was probably because everyone around him was much bigger.
He did seem to lose enthusiasm when up against penalties, he more often than not didn't seem to dive. I may be wrong, it's a long time ago. I wondered if he saved many pens?

He saved a penalty taken by Bobby Charlton at Old Trafford! Dont know if Charlton struck the penalty well. His penalty save in the 4-0 win against Blackburn in Nov 1969 can be seen in the YTV 100 goals video and it was a good save. He saved a Ken Foggo penalty in the 1-0 defeat at Norwich in August 1970

 

[blade too long]

I read the book and was surprised they spelt his name right, there are some references that are from another time zone, his best years were our promotion and finishing in 5th 61 to 63
As always London bias at the FA meant his England career was less than it should have been .

 

[Silent Blade]

I think McDonald let in 7 goals in his first game for Burnley. It was in the papers after a Burnley keeper (forgot his name) on his debut let in 7 goals at QPR in front of MOTD cameras and he was in tears at the end of the game

Found the match. His name was Billy O'Rourke. Looked him up in Wiki, sadly he died of brain haemorrhage aged 41

 

[Jonboy60]

I liked him when he was a young player at the Lane. In later years got to know him well and we moved our team to the pub where he was landlord and he came training with us. He wasn't up to much which was very surprising ,think hes back on the post now ,frequently in and out of the bookies and Wetherspoons on Woodseats.

That's right sitters, it seemed every time I turned up at some new watering hole Steve was there, either as landlord or relief manager, until someone was in situ. He always had a sweet left foot.