John Hodgkinson (footballer)
Encyclopedia
John Hodgkinson was an English professional footballer who played at half-back
for Southampton
and New Brompton in the 1890s.
and was playing for his local side when he was spotted by a scout from Southern League
Southampton
.
After a successful trial, he moved to the south coast
in December 1895 making his debut for the "Saints" when he took over from George Marshall
against Chatham at the Antelope Ground
on 18 January 1896. Hodgkinson retained his place for the rest of the season
, making seven appearances, scoring twice (both in a 5–0 defeat of New Brompton on 28 March) with Southampton finishing in third place. Saints' trainer, Bill Dawson, nicknamed him "Ironside", as his short cropped hair and rolled-up sleeves gave him a tough image, which he maintained throughout his time with the Saints.
Hodgkinson retained his place for the start of the next season
, as Saints went through the season undefeated. Hodgkinson and his fellow defenders only conceded 18 goals in 20 matches, as Southampton claimed the Southern League
title for the first of six times over the next eight seasons. Hodgkinson missed the final five matches of the League season through injury, with local schoolmaster William Ponting
replacing him. Hodgkinson was ever-present in the FA Cup where the Saints reached the Second Round proper, losing 3–1 to Newton Heath
after a replay.
In the close-season, Southampton recruited the experienced Bob Petrie
and Hodgkinson was released, joining fellow Southern League team, New Brompton.
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
for Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
and New Brompton in the 1890s.
Football career
Hodgkinson was born in Tunstall, StaffordshireTunstall, Staffordshire
Tunstall is an area in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England. It was one of the original six towns that federated to form the city. Tunstall is the most northern town of the city of Stoke-on-Trent....
and was playing for his local side when he was spotted by a scout from Southern League
Southern Football League
The Southern League is an English football competition featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs from the South West, South Central and Midlands of England and South Wales...
Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
.
After a successful trial, he moved to the south coast
Southern England
Southern England, the South and the South of England are imprecise terms used to refer to the southern counties of England bordering the English Midlands. It has a number of different interpretations of its geographic extents. The South is considered by many to be a cultural region with a distinct...
in December 1895 making his debut for the "Saints" when he took over from George Marshall
George Marshall (footballer)
George Marshall was an English amateur footballer who played in defence for Southampton St. Mary's in the 1890s. He was the only player to appear in both Southampton's first-ever FA Cup match and first-ever League match...
against Chatham at the Antelope Ground
Antelope Ground
The Antelope Ground, Southampton was a sports ground that was the first home of both Hampshire County Cricket Club, who played there prior to 1884, and of Southampton Football Club, who played there from 1887 to 1896 as "Southampton St...
on 18 January 1896. Hodgkinson retained his place for the rest of the season
Southern Football League 1895-96
The 1895-96 season was the second in the history of the Southern League. Millwall Athletic won Division One for the second successive season.-Division One:...
, making seven appearances, scoring twice (both in a 5–0 defeat of New Brompton on 28 March) with Southampton finishing in third place. Saints' trainer, Bill Dawson, nicknamed him "Ironside", as his short cropped hair and rolled-up sleeves gave him a tough image, which he maintained throughout his time with the Saints.
Hodgkinson retained his place for the start of the next season
Southern Football League 1896-97
The 1896-97 season was the third in the history of the Southern League. Southampton St.Mary's won the Division One championship.-Division One:Division One featured five new clubs:*Gravesend United *Northfleet...
, as Saints went through the season undefeated. Hodgkinson and his fellow defenders only conceded 18 goals in 20 matches, as Southampton claimed the Southern League
Southern Football League
The Southern League is an English football competition featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs from the South West, South Central and Midlands of England and South Wales...
title for the first of six times over the next eight seasons. Hodgkinson missed the final five matches of the League season through injury, with local schoolmaster William Ponting
William Ponting
William Robert Ponting was an English amateur footballer who played as a half-back for Southampton St. Mary's in 1896–97, when they won the Southern League title for the first of six occasions over the next eight years.-Football career:...
replacing him. Hodgkinson was ever-present in the FA Cup where the Saints reached the Second Round proper, losing 3–1 to Newton Heath
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
after a replay.
In the close-season, Southampton recruited the experienced Bob Petrie
Bob Petrie
Robert "Bob" Petrie was a professional footballer who won the FA Cup with Sheffield Wednesday in 1896 and was on the losing side in the 1900 FA Cup final with Southampton.-Playing career:...
and Hodgkinson was released, joining fellow Southern League team, New Brompton.
Honours
SouthamptonSouthampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
- Southern LeagueSouthern Football LeagueThe Southern League is an English football competition featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs from the South West, South Central and Midlands of England and South Wales...
champions: 1896–97Southern Football League 1896-97The 1896-97 season was the third in the history of the Southern League. Southampton St.Mary's won the Division One championship.-Division One:Division One featured five new clubs:*Gravesend United *Northfleet...