Alan Hodgkinson

[Silent Blade]

It took them an age to publish his obituary for Woody but the Independent has been quick to print Ivan Ponting's typically excellent tribute to Alan Hodgkinson:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/o...-s-first-full-time-professional-a6770306.html

Ponting's book, snappily-titled "The Book of Football Obituaries", is a terrific read for those of a certain age. I would highly recommend it.

I think Hodgy joined us earlier than 1953. In his book he said he wasnt aware of our interest in him until summer 1953 but if you look on page 83 in Denis Clareborough's "The First 100 Years" you will see the Blades team for the FA Cup replay at Birmingham in February 1953 and the 16 year old Hodgy (in his normal clothes and overcoat) is stood between Ted Burgin and Graham Shaw

 

[Kentblade]

It took them an age to publish his obituary for Woody but the Independent has been quick to print Ivan Ponting's typically excellent tribute to Alan Hodgkinson:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/o...-s-first-full-time-professional-a6770306.html

Ponting's book, snappily-titled "The Book of Football Obituaries", is a terrific read for those of a certain age. I would highly recommend it.

I remember his first game when I stood behind the goal on the Bramall Lane end and he became a legend
I met him personally in 1977 when he and Gerry Summers came to the bank opening in Chatham when I got sent to Kent.
A true gentleman and just what I imagined him to be like.
The defence that was in front of him just rolls off the tongue and was probably the best defence we have ever had over my 70 plus years.

Just cannot believe how far we have declined as a club over the last 10 years.
UTB

 

[Hodgyman]

He was and still is my lifelong hero. I knew of him first as the Co-op butcher's boy who had started to play for my family's favourite team, through watching him play for United from the 50's until his retirement, watching him play for England on TV and being privileged to have been one of his first goalkeeping pupils. He made my dreams come true as a teenager when he took me into the ground via the old John Street players entrance and then into the player's dressing room and let me sit in his place under his match day kit. The other players were milling around before the match, notably Joe Shaw, Ken Mallander and Alan Birchenall.

I have met him several times since then and have also been in awe of his modesty and gentlemanly behaviour, a view genuinely shared by cousins of mine who hold him in similar respect despite being followers of the S6 persuasion.

RIP the ultimate United legend

 

[JJ Sefton]

Alan Hodgkinson was the best goalkeeper United had in all the years I watched them. In folklore he will be remembered along with Billy Foulkes, though he was nowhere near the same size.

He wasn’t a tall man but he more than made up for this by his great anticipation and positioning. The great United defence of that time, (Hodgkinson; Coldwell; Graham Shaw; Richardson; Joe Shaw; Summers), played together so often that they developed a remarkable ability to work as a unit and cover for each other.

Hodgy was also the best goalkeeper I have seen for coming out of his goal and “smothering” an advancing opposition forward who had managed to get through the defence. I saw him do this once against Leyton Orient in 1959. It was at the Lane, it had been raining and the pitch was slippy. The advancing opposition forward was Tommy Johnston. His studs cut a long and deep gash in Hodgy’s leg. He had to go off and Dennis Shields had to go in goal (he didn’t do bad either). Hodgy was out for a few weeks.

I always felt confident when Hodgy was in goal. He played several times for England, but not as much as he deserved. Ron Springett was preferred. He was good, but Hodgy was better. His positioning meant that he made goalkeeping look easy, so that may be why he didn’t get the recognition he should have.

- Walth Snr

 

[Fulwood Blade]

Decent obituary for Hodgy in today's Telegraph.

HH

Yes I read that too - really nice article.

Link below if people want to read it. Interesting bit about Peter Schmicael - worth a read just for that little bit - it shows Hodgy's class.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/12046138/Alan-Hodgkinson-goalkeeper-obituary.html

UTB