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{{Short description|English footballer and coach}}{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}}{{Use British English|date=April 2024}}

factoids

}}| image = Alan Hodgkinson 01-10-2011 1.jpgOxford United F.C.>Oxford United goalkeeping coach in 2011| fullname = 193616|df=y}}Laughton-en-le-Morthen>Laughton Common, England201588df=y}}| death_place = ft=5|in=9}}Goalkeeper (association football)>Goalkeeperyouthclubs1 = Worksop Townyouthclubs2 = Sheffield Unitedclubs1 = Sheffield United F.C. >caps1 = 576 |goals1 = 0nationalteam1 = England national football team >nationalcaps1 = 5 |nationalgoals1 = 0}}Alan Hodgkinson MBE (16 August 1936 – 8 December 2015) was an English professional football goalkeeper and goalkeeping coach.

Playing career

Hodgkinson signed for Sheffield United from Worksop Town on 1 August 1953, and made 675 first-team appearances (576 in the league) for the Blades between 1953 and 1971, his first being a friendly game against Clyde on 6 April 1954.Hodgkinson made his league début in Division One in a 2–1 away victory against Newcastle United on 28 August 1954 but, despite showing his undoubted potential, the presence of number one goalkeeper Ted Burgin until 1957 and National Service limited his opportunities for the first team. The arrival of Joe Mercer as manager established Hodgkinson's place as first-choice goalkeeper in the side behind the defensive line of Cec Coldwell, Graham Shaw, Brian Richardson, Joe Shaw and Gerry Summers. In 1966–67, he won the Sheffield United Supporters player of the year award. His brilliance and reliability made sure of his place until the signing of John Hope in 1971. His final appearance was, like his first, in a friendly, on 23 January 1971 against Chesterfield.Hodgkinson was also an England International at full and under-23 levels, making his debut for both during the 1956–57 season. His first full England cap came against Scotland in 1957 and he also played against Denmark, and Republic of Ireland (twice in World Cup qualifying games). He was in England's squad for the 1958 World Cup in Sweden but did not feature in any of their games. Two years after his final cap, he returned to the England squad for the 1962 World Cup in Chile as backup to Ron Springett, but once again was not selected for any of the matches.

Coaching career

Hodgkinson moved on to professional coaching and worked at numerous clubs, including Rangers, Everton, Manchester City, Aston Villa, Leicester City, Watford, Sheffield Wednesday, Gillingham, Oldham Athletic, and Birmingham City, and is credited with bringing Peter Schmeichel to Manchester United.NEWS,weblink Oxford United coach Alan Hodgkinson retires, BBC Sport, 30 August 2012, 31 August 2012, Hodgkinson worked at United for seven years before becoming Scotland goalkeeping coach, where he tutored players such as Jim Leighton and Andy Goram.WEB,weblink Scottish FA pays tribute to Alan Hodgkinson, www.scottishfa.co.uk, Scottish Football Association, 8 December 2015, 8 December 2015, He also had a spell as a youth goalkeeping coach at Rangers and Watford. After a spell with Coventry City, Hodgkinson moved to Rushden & Diamonds and worked with goalkeeper Billy Turley, who then later joined Hodgkinson when he moved to Oxford United. Turley left Oxford in 2010 but Hodgkinson remained to coach first-team keeper Ryan Clarke and later also Max Crocombe. Hodgkinson's retirement from football, at the age of 76, was announced in August 2012.He is credited as being the world's first full-time goalkeeping coach; goalkeepers were required to train with outfield players before Hodgkinson's arrival into coaching.NEWS,weblink Alan Hodgkinson: England footballer who set himself up as his sport's first full-time professional goalkeeping coach, Independent, 12 December 2015, 7 May 2021, Ivan, Ponting, registration,

Managerial career

Hodgkinson spent six years as assistant manager of Gillingham between 1975 and 1981, working as assistant to Gerry Summers, with whom he played at Sheffield United.He was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2008 New Year Honours for services to football.WEB,weblink Former Gills Assistant Manager recognised in Queen's New Year Honours List, Alan, Liptrott, 2 January 2008, 29 December 2007, GillsConnect, {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}{{London Gazette|issue=58557|date=29 December 2007|supp=y}}

Personal life

Growing up in Laughton Common, Hodgkinson attended Dinnington Secondary Modern School.WEB, England Goalkeepers - Alan Hodgkinson,weblink 2024-04-12, www.englandfootballonline.com, After retiring, Hodgkinson wrote an autobiography entitled Alan Hodgkinson Between The Sticks, which was released on 9 May 2013.He died on 8 December 2015 at the age of 79.WEB, Sheffield United: Bramall Lane legend passes away,weblink The Star, 8 December 2015,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20151209231221weblink">weblink 9 December 2015, dead, His funeral service took place on 23 December 2015 in Dunchurch, Warwickshire, where he had lived for the previous 30 years.NEWS, Andy, Turner, Alan Hodgkinson - ultimate pro and a lovely man,weblink CoventryLive, Reach, 18 December 2015, 26 January 2023,

References

{{reflist}}

External links

• Alan Hodgkinson profile at goalkeepersaredifferent.com

{{Sheffield United F.C. Player of the Year}}{{Navboxes colour|title= England squads|bg= white|fg= #0B0B3F|bordercolor= #0B0B3F|list1= {{England squad 1958 FIFA World Cup}}{{England squad 1962 FIFA World Cup}}}}