Lee Hodson
Encyclopedia
Lee James Stephen Hodson (born 2 October 1991) is a professional footballer, currently playing in the Football League Championship
for Watford
. Hodson is a defender
, and plays primarily as a right-back. He made his first team debut for Watford in May 2009 against Derby County
, before playing in the majority of Watford's games in the 2009–10 season
, during which he earned a three year professional contract. Although born in England, Hodson is eligible to play for Northern Ireland. He has represented the latter country at youth, under-19 and under-21
levels, and in November 2010 was called up to the senior Northern Ireland team
for the first time.
, and grew up in Borehamwood
, near Watford. He was involved with "Borehamwood 2000", a football scheme ran by Borehamwood F.C., before joining Watford's youth system. Hodson progressed through the academy, playing 26 times for the under-18 side in 2007–08 despite still being a schoolboy. He also started nine times for the club's reserve team. Hodson signed for the club as an academy scholar in June 2008, and continued to play for the club's reserve and under-18 teams in the 2008–09 season.
. He was brought in the 65th minute, as a substitute for Arsenal
loanee Gavin Hoyte
. The match finished as a 3–1 Watford win.
Following two separate injuries to club captain Jay DeMerit
early in the 2009–10 season, Adrian Mariappa
moved to central defence, and Hodson started to play regularly in the Championship
at right back. Hodson played in every Watford first team game in September and October 2009, and by November he had earned himself a three year professional contract with the club. He went on to play 34 first-team matches that season—31 in the Championship—and picked up 2 yellow cards. Although primarily used at right-back, he deputised at left-back when Lloyd Doyley
sustained an injury towards the end of the season. Hodson was named the Championship's Apprentice of the Month for November 2009, and was nominated for the division's Apprentice of the Year award; the other nominees were Adam Matthews
and Nathan Modest
. Matthews, an under-21 international for Wales
, eventually won the award.
At the start of the 2010–11 season
, Hodson retained his place in the first team, playing in all of Watford's first eight league fixtures. However, following the arrival of left-back Andrew Taylor
on loan from Middlesbrough, Hodson faced competition from Doyley for his place at right-back. After period out of the team, Hodson returned to Watford's starting line-up early in 2011, following Taylor's return to Middlesbrough. He scored his first ever senior goal against Leeds United in the Championship on 16 April 2011.
. Having represented Northern Ireland at youth and under-19 levels, Hodson moved up to the under-21
team aged 17 in 2009. He played his first games at that level in a side captained by Hodson's former Watford team-mate Craig Cathcart
. In March 2010 Northern Ireland under-21 manager Steve Beaglehole
claimed that the English FA
had approached Hodson with a view to him switching his alliegance to England.
Hodson was called up to the senior squad for the first time in November 2010, for a friendly against Morocco
, and was subsequently selected for the match.
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
for Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
. Hodson is a defender
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....
, and plays primarily as a right-back. He made his first team debut for Watford in May 2009 against Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
, before playing in the majority of Watford's games in the 2009–10 season
Watford F.C. season 2009–10
Watford Football Club are an association football club from Watford, Hertfordshire, England. Home matches were played at the club's stadium, Vicarage Road, which had a capacity of 17,504 for the 2009–10 season...
, during which he earned a three year professional contract. Although born in England, Hodson is eligible to play for Northern Ireland. He has represented the latter country at youth, under-19 and under-21
Northern Ireland national under-21 football team
The Northern Ireland national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Northern Ireland.-Former coaches:* To 20 August 2008.-2008/09 Matches:-Current squad:Squad to play San Marino.-Other Recent Call-Ups:...
levels, and in November 2010 was called up to the senior Northern Ireland team
Northern Ireland national football team
The Northern Ireland national football team represents Northern Ireland in international association football. Before 1921 all of Ireland was represented by a single side, the Ireland national football team, organised by the Irish Football Association...
for the first time.
Early life
Hodson was born in HertfordshireHertfordshire
Hertfordshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England. The county town is Hertford.The county is one of the Home Counties and lies inland, bordered by Greater London , Buckinghamshire , Bedfordshire , Cambridgeshire and...
, and grew up in Borehamwood
Borehamwood
-Film industry:Since the 1920s, the town has been home to several film studios and many shots of its streets are included in final cuts of 20th century British films. This earned it the nickname of the "British Hollywood"...
, near Watford. He was involved with "Borehamwood 2000", a football scheme ran by Borehamwood F.C., before joining Watford's youth system. Hodson progressed through the academy, playing 26 times for the under-18 side in 2007–08 despite still being a schoolboy. He also started nine times for the club's reserve team. Hodson signed for the club as an academy scholar in June 2008, and continued to play for the club's reserve and under-18 teams in the 2008–09 season.
First team career
Hodson made named on Watford's substitute bench for the first time on 3 May 2009, in a home game against Derby CountyDerby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
. He was brought in the 65th minute, as a substitute for Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
loanee Gavin Hoyte
Gavin Hoyte
Gavin Andrew Hoyte is an English footballer. A product of Arsenal Academy who plays as a defender for Arsenal and he is the son of British sprinter, Wendy Hoyte and the younger brother of Justin Hoyte, who also played for Arsenal before his move to Middlesbrough in 2008.-Career:Hoyte has been...
. The match finished as a 3–1 Watford win.
Following two separate injuries to club captain Jay DeMerit
Jay DeMerit
Jay Michael DeMerit is an American soccer player who plays for Vancouver Whitecaps FC in Major League Soccer, and for the United States national team...
early in the 2009–10 season, Adrian Mariappa
Adrian Mariappa
Adrian "Aidy" Joseph Mariappa is an association football player. Born in England, and of Fijian descent, Mariappa plays as a defender for Watford in the Football League Championship. He progressed through Watford's youth academy, and has spent his entire professional career at the club...
moved to central defence, and Hodson started to play regularly in the Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
at right back. Hodson played in every Watford first team game in September and October 2009, and by November he had earned himself a three year professional contract with the club. He went on to play 34 first-team matches that season—31 in the Championship—and picked up 2 yellow cards. Although primarily used at right-back, he deputised at left-back when Lloyd Doyley
Lloyd Doyley
Lloyd Colin Doyley is an English footballer who plays for Watford as a defender. He is primarily a right-back, but can also play as a centre-back and left-back. He is the longest-serving current player for the Hornets, and is contracted until 2012.- Watford : Doyley was born in Whitechapel, London...
sustained an injury towards the end of the season. Hodson was named the Championship's Apprentice of the Month for November 2009, and was nominated for the division's Apprentice of the Year award; the other nominees were Adam Matthews
Adam Matthews
Adam James Matthews is a Welsh footballer who currently plays as a right back for Scottish Premier League club Celtic and the Welsh national team.-Early life:...
and Nathan Modest
Nathan Modest
Nathan Daniel Modest is a professional footballer who signed for Sheffield F.C after being released by Sheffield Wednesday. Contrary to reports his surname is pronounced "Modest" however this is sometimes mistakenly pronounced "mow-dest"...
. Matthews, an under-21 international for Wales
Wales national under-21 football team
The Wales national under-21 football team, also known as the Wales U21s, is the national under-21 football team of Wales and is controlled by the Football Association of Wales. The team competes in the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, held every two years...
, eventually won the award.
At the start of the 2010–11 season
2010–11 Watford F.C. season
-Football League Championship:A total of 24 teams competed in the Football League Championship in the 2010–11 season. Each team played 46 matches; two against every other team, with one match played at each club's stadium. Three points were awarded for each win, one for a draw, and none for defeats...
, Hodson retained his place in the first team, playing in all of Watford's first eight league fixtures. However, following the arrival of left-back Andrew Taylor
Andrew Taylor (footballer born 1986)
Andrew Derek Taylor is an English footballer who plays for Cardiff City as a left wingback. He has previously played for Middlesbrough, Bradford City and Watford on loan.-Club career:Taylor was born in Hartlepool, County Durham...
on loan from Middlesbrough, Hodson faced competition from Doyley for his place at right-back. After period out of the team, Hodson returned to Watford's starting line-up early in 2011, following Taylor's return to Middlesbrough. He scored his first ever senior goal against Leeds United in the Championship on 16 April 2011.
International career
Although born and raised in England, Hodson is eligible to play for Northern Ireland as his paternal grandmother was born in the country's capital, BelfastBelfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
. Having represented Northern Ireland at youth and under-19 levels, Hodson moved up to the under-21
Northern Ireland national under-21 football team
The Northern Ireland national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Northern Ireland.-Former coaches:* To 20 August 2008.-2008/09 Matches:-Current squad:Squad to play San Marino.-Other Recent Call-Ups:...
team aged 17 in 2009. He played his first games at that level in a side captained by Hodson's former Watford team-mate Craig Cathcart
Craig Cathcart
Craig George Cathcart is a Northern Irish footballer who plays as a centre back for Blackpool and the Northern Ireland national team...
. In March 2010 Northern Ireland under-21 manager Steve Beaglehole
Steve Beaglehole
Steve Beaglehole is an English football coach and is currently at Leicester City. He managed Doncaster Rovers from 1991 to 1993.-Playing career:...
claimed that the English FA
FA
Fa or FA may refer to:- Education :* Falmouth Academy* Foxcroft Academy* Friends Academy* Fryeburg Academy- Finance :* Federal Association, Federal Savings Bank* Financial adviser* Financial analyst- Government and law :...
had approached Hodson with a view to him switching his alliegance to England.
Hodson was called up to the senior squad for the first time in November 2010, for a friendly against Morocco
Morocco national football team
The Morocco national football team , nicknamed أسود الأطلس , is the national team of Morocco and is managed by Eric Gerets. Winners of the African Nations Cup in 1976, they were the first African team to win a group at the World Cup, which they did in 1986, finishing ahead of Portugal, Poland, and...
, and was subsequently selected for the match.
Career statistics
| Discipline |
|---|
| Watford Watford F.C. Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade... |
Championship Football League Championship The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League... > 1 |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ! 1 !! 0 | 0 |
| Championship Football League Championship The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League... > 31 |
0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | ! 34 !! 0 | 0 |
| Championship Football League Championship The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League... > 29 |
1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ! 31 !! 1 | 0 |
- (correct as of 11 May 2011)