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Footballer, football manager (1904–1951) Not to be confused with Gordon Hodgson (footballer, born 1952).

Gordon Hodgson
Hodgson in the 1932–33 season
Personal information
Date of birth (1904-04-16)16 April 1904
Place of birth Benoni, Transvaal Colony
Date of death 14 June 1951(1951-06-14) (aged 47)
Place of death Stoke-on-Trent, England
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.87 m)
Position(s) Forward
Youth career
1919–1921 Benoni
1921–1922 Rustenburg
1922–1924 Pretoria
1924–1925 Transvaal
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1925–1936 Liverpool 358 (233)
1936–1937 Aston Villa 28 (11)
1937–1939 Leeds United 81 (51)
Total 467 (295)
International career
1924 South Africa 2 (0)
1930–1931 England 3 (1)
The Football League 2 (0)
Managerial career
1946–1951 Port Vale
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Gordon Hodgson (16 April 1904 – 14 June 1951) was a professional sportsman, born in Transvaal Colony, who is best known as a striker for Liverpool and as a fast bowler for Lancashire. He won two international caps for South Africa and three for England.

Hodgson signed for Liverpool on 14 December 1925, going on to score 241 goals in 377 appearances for the Anfield club. He transferred to Aston Villa on 8 January 1936 and scored 11 goals in 28 appearances for the Villans, before joining Leeds United in March 1937, scoring 53 goals in 85 appearances for the Elland Road club. In total, Hodgson scored 305 goals in 490 appearances for his three English clubs, 295 of which came in 467 games in the Football League, with the other ten coming in the FA Cup from 23 appearances.

He was appointed Port Vale manager in 1946, a position he would hold until he died in 1951.

Early and personal life

Gordon Hodgson was born on 16 April 1904 in Benoni, Transvaal Colony to English parents. He married Doris Huckell, on 23 November 1928 at West Derby Register Office They had two children: Doreen T. (born 1930) and Gordon (born 1934), before Doris died at the age of 27 on 8 March 1938, at Preston Parade in Beeston, Leeds. Gordon then met Alice Shepherd and they were married on 26 October 1940 at Hunslet Parish Church. Their son, Martyn was born the following year.

Football career

Club career

Hodgson played football in South Africa with Benoni (1919–21), Rustenburg (1921–22), Pretoria (1922–24), and then Transvaal (1924–25). He scored a hat-trick against Liverpool for the South African Amateur team during a tour of the UK on 1 October 1924 and was signed by the club on 14 December 1925. During his time in South Africa he worked as a boiler-maker.

Liverpool

Hodgson had a reputation early in his career as an unselfish forward who excelled in link-up play, but that didn't stop him from going on to become one of Liverpool and indeed the Football League's greatest-ever goalscorers. Not averse to charging through defenders if other avenues to goal were barred, although he was capable of subtlety when the situation demanded it, Hodgson was exceptionally strong on the ball and possessed a terrific shot with either foot, which allied to his height, heading ability, pace, close-control, enthusiasm and a noted talent for shooting when going at top-speed made him a real force in attack. Only Roger Hunt (244) has scored more league goals for Liverpool, but all of Hodgson's 233 league strikes came in the top flight from 358 appearances, a fantastic goals-per-game ratio. In total Hodgson scored 295 goals in 467 games in the Football League, 288 of which came in the top-flight from 454 appearances, leaving him fourth in the all-time list of top-flight goalscorers in English football with only Jimmy Greaves (357), Steve Bloomer (314) and Dixie Dean (310) having scored more. Hodgson first came to Liverpool's attention in 1924 as one of the youngest members of the touring South African national team, who on 1 October beat Liverpool 5–2 at Anfield. He joined Liverpool a year later on 14 December 1925, making his debut in a 1–1 draw against Manchester City at Maine Road on 27 February 1926. He opened his goal-scoring account eleven days later when he scored twice in a 3–3 draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford on 10 March 1926. He scored the first of a still club record 17 league hat-tricks for Liverpool in a 5–1 win against Sheffield United at Anfield on 11 September 1926 in his seventeenth game.

During his Anfield career, Hodgson missed very few games in the league or cup and scored prolifically throughout; therefore, it was a shame that his career coincided with a barren period for the club because his contribution to the Liverpool cause was massive. The 36 league goals Hodgson scored during the 1930–31 season beat Sam Raybould's total of 31 scored in 1902–03 and set a new club record that would last for more than thirty years until it was beaten by Roger Hunt in 1961–62. Hodgson scored three hat-tricks that season at Anfield, but perhaps it was the four goals he scored in an away match at Hillsborough that gave him the most satisfaction of all. He was the top scorer in seven out of the nine full seasons he played for Liverpool. On completion of his ten years of service, he was honoured by the club with a benefit sum of £650. His popularity prompted an ingenious biscuit seller to name the home-made ginger nuts, that he sold in a quantity of five for a penny on matchdays at Anfield, in his honour: "Hodgson's Choice! Hodgson's Choice!" he would call. The 1935–36 season proved to be Hodgson's last at Anfield; his nine goals in 17 league appearances was yet again a decent return, but on 8 January 1936, he was allowed to move to Aston Villa for £4,000. In total Hodgson scored 241 goals in 377 appearances for Liverpool in all competitions, earning him a place in the Liverpool FC Hall of Fame and leaving him third in the all-time list of leading goalscorers for the Anfield club with only Ian Rush (346) and Roger Hunt (285) having scored more.

Aston Villa

Hodgson made his debut for Aston Villa in a 3–0 defeat against Preston North End at Deepdale on 18 January 1936. His first goal for Villa came in a 4–3 defeat against Bolton Wanderers at Burnden Park on 15 February 1936. He was relegated with Aston Villa at the end of the 1935–36 season, his four goals in 15 league appearances not enough to help them beat the drop. His stay with Villa in the Second Division was short. He left for Leeds United for £1,500 on 2 March 1937, after scoring seven goals in 13 appearances for Villa in the Second Division, including a hat-trick in a 5–1 win against Bradford City at Villa Park on 14 September 1936. In total Hodgson scored 11 goals in 28 appearances for Villa, all of which were in the league.

Leeds United

At Leeds United, Hodgson showed that he still had what it took to score goals at the top level, scoring six goals in 13 league appearances in the second half of the 1936–37 season, including a goal on his debut in a 7–1 defeat against his old Merseyside rivals Everton at Goodison Park on 3 March 1937. Despite that defeat Hodgson's goals still proved enough to help Leeds avoid relegation. The following season, 1937–38, Leeds secured a top-half finish thanks in no small part to Hodgson, who scored 26 goals in 38 appearances in all competitions, including all four Leeds goals in a 4–4 draw against Everton at Elland Road on 26 February 1938. His form was all the more remarkable considering the strain he'd been playing under as a result of the illness and subsequent death of his wife on 8 March 1938, leaving him a widower with two children. Hodgson continued to show admirable professionalism and was as prolific as ever during the 1938–39 season, scoring 21 goals in 34 appearances in all competitions, including a still Leeds club record five goals in their 8–2 thrashing of Leicester City at Elland Road on 1 October 1938. Hodgson scored 53 goals in 85 appearances for Leeds in all competitions, not including one in the 1939–40 season, which was abandoned after three games due to the outbreak of World War II. He was top scorer for Leeds in both of his two full seasons at Elland Road. During the war, Hodgson worked in a munitions factory whilst continuing to turn out for Leeds until 1941, making 34 war-time appearances for the Elland Road club, scoring 14 goals. He also guested for Hartlepools United (one appearance, 1939–40) and York City (five appearances, two goals, 1939–40). After hanging up his boots he helped to coach the youth players at Leeds from 1942 to October 1946.

International career

Hodgson played twice at full international level for his native South Africa, making his debut in a 2–1 win in a friendly against Ireland at Solitude, Belfast on 24 September 1924, in what was also South Africa's first ever full international match. His second and final international appearance for South Africa came against the Netherlands in a 2–1 defeat in a friendly at het Nederlandsche Sportpark (het Oude Stadion), Amsterdam on 2 November 1924. He also played and scored in several unofficial international matches for South Africa against British, Dutch, and Irish club sides during a 1924 tour, including appearances against Wimbledon and Liverpool; which is where they first noticed his talent and subsequently signed him the following year.

Hodgson was also capped three times at full international level by England, making his debut against Ireland, in a 5–1 win in a British Home Championship, match at Bramall Lane, Sheffield on 20 October 1930. His only goal for England came in his second appearance in a 4–0 win against Wales in a British Home Championship match at the Racecourse Ground, Wrexham on 22 November 1930. Hodgson's third and final international appearance for England came against Scotland in a 2–0 defeat in a British Home Championship match at Hampden Park, Glasgow on 28 March 1931. He also represented England against the Rest in a 3–2 win in an international trial match at Highbury, London on 4 March 1931 and the Football League against the Scottish League, scoring once in a 7–3 win in an Inter-League match at White Hart Lane, London on 5 November 1930.

Cricket career

As well as being an outstanding footballer, Hodgson was also a talented cricketer. He once took all ten wickets in an innings for just 13 runs in an amateur match against Liverpool Police. Seeing his obvious potential, Lancashire soon signed him up to play for them. An extremely quick right-arm fast bowler and hard-hitting lower order right-hand batsman, Hodgson played 56 first-class matches for the Red Rose county from 1928 to 1933, scoring 244 runs at an average of 6.97 and taking 148 wickets at an average of 27.75. He also took 38 catches. His highest score in first-class cricket was 20 for Lancashire against India at Aigburth in 1932. His best bowling figures in first-class cricket were 6–77 for Lancashire against Middlesex at Lord's in 1932. Hodgson twice helped Lancashire to win the County Championship, in 1928 and 1930, although his football career took priority, as he didn't play a single game of cricket in April or September (and only one Second XI match in August) throughout his time at Old Trafford.

Football management career

Port Vale

After the war, Hodgson went into management, taking over the reins at Third Division South club Port Vale in October 1946. He was manager when the club moved from the Old Recreation Ground to their new home of Vale Park in 1950. Unfortunately, most of the money the club raised went towards the new ground, leaving Hodgson unable to spend money in the transfer market. This included the £12,000 he got for right-half Bill McGarry, and the £20,000 he got from the sale of striker Ronnie Allen. Hodgson managed Port Vale in 222 matches, winning 84, drawing 54 and losing 84. He was greatly respected both for his pre-war sporting career and also for encouraging young footballers in North Staffordshire. He had a reputation for having the ability to spot talented players and was not afraid to blood them in the league, and was also a good motivator. He applied for the vacant management position at Everton in September 1948.

Final years and death

Following the resignation of Liverpool manager George Kay in January 1951 for health reasons, Hodgson was among the hopefuls who were interviewed for the manager's job at Anfield. Don Welsh was eventually appointed, while Hodgson was admitted to hospital a couple of months later, but his "throat complaint" was deemed inoperable. He returned to his home in Burslem after a month in hospital. A few days later, with a promising managerial career still in its infancy, he died of cancer on 14 June 1951, at the age of 47. Port Vale legend Roy Sproson had Hodgson as his first boss: "Gordon Hodgson was a fair chap. He would give you a rollicking one minute and then it would be forgotten. Everybody liked him and his loss was so sad." His benefit match was held against Port Vale's local rivals Stoke City on 1 October 1951; Vale lost the game 2–1. £383 was raised for his dependants.

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season Division League FA Cup Other Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Liverpool 1925–26 First Division 12 4 0 0 0 0 12 4
1926–27 First Division 36 16 4 2 0 0 40 18
1927–28 First Division 32 23 0 0 0 0 32 23
1928–29 First Division 38 30 3 2 0 0 41 32
1929–30 First Division 36 14 1 0 0 0 37 14
1930–31 First Division 40 36 1 0 0 0 41 36
1931–32 First Division 39 26 4 1 0 0 43 27
1932–33 First Division 37 24 1 0 0 0 39 24
1933–34 First Division 37 24 3 1 0 0 40 25
1934–35 First Division 34 27 2 2 0 0 36 29
1935–36 First Division 17 9 0 0 0 0 17 9
Total 358 233 19 8 0 0 378 241
Aston Villa 1935–36 First Division 15 4 0 0 0 0 15 4
1936–37 Second Division 13 7 0 0 0 0 13 7
Total 28 11 0 0 0 0 28 11
Leeds United 1936–37 First Division 13 6 0 0 0 0 13 6
1937–38 First Division 36 25 2 1 0 0 38 26
1938–39 First Division 32 20 2 1 0 0 34 21
1939–40 First Division 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0
Total 81 51 4 2 1 0 86 53
Career total 467 295 23 10 1 0 492 305
  1. Appearance in the Football League First Division. At the outbreak of the Second World War, the Football League was suspended and matches up to that point struck from the records.

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
South Africa 1924 2 0
Total 2 0
England 1930 2 1
1931 1 0
Total 3 1

Managerial

Managerial record by team and tenure
Team From To Record
P W D L Win %
Port Vale 1 October 1946 14 June 1951 222 84 54 84 037.8
Total 222 84 54 84 037.8

Honours

England

See also

References

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  2. ^ "Aston Villa Player Database". Astonvillaplayerdatabase.com. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
  3. ^ "England Players - Gordon Hodgson". www.englandfootballonline.com. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  4. "DT92 Card Museum ~ Gordon Hodgson". Doingthe92.co.uk. Archived from the original on 15 January 2016. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
  5. ^ "Gordon Hodgson". lfchistory.net. Retrieved 2 June 2009.
  6. "Players Appearing for Two or More Countries". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 3 August 2008. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
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  8. Register of Entry of Marriage Leeds District D2 771128
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  10. "English Football Top Flight Highest Goalscorers 1888-9 to 2013-14". Myfootballfacts.com. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
  11. "100 PWSTK - No.54: Gordon Hodgson". Liverpoolfc.com. 20 July 2006. Archived from the original on 3 April 2015. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
  12. Archived 1 March 2014 at the Wayback Machine
  13. Archived 1 March 2014 at the Wayback Machine
  14. "Hall of Fame". Liverpoolfc.com. Archived from the original on 30 April 2013. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
  15. "All time top goalscorers - LFChistory - Stats galore for Liverpool FC!". LFChistory.net. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
  16. "Top 10 LFC goalscorers: 3". Liverpoolfc.com. 14 May 2012. Archived from the original on 3 April 2015. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
  17. ^ "Gordon Hodgson". 11v11.com. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
  18. "Gordon Hodgson for Leeds United | Kjell Hanssen, football historian". Kjellhanssen.com. 2 March 1937. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
  19. "Aston Villa v Bradford City, 14 September 1936 - 11v11 match report". 11v11.com. 14 September 1936. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
  20. "Leeds United F.C. History". Ozwhitelufc.net.au. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
  21. The three league games played in the 1939-40 season were expunged from Football League records as the season was abandoned due to World War II. The Association of Football Statisticians does not count them towards official player totals.
  22. "Leeds United F.C. History". Ozwhitelufc.net.au. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
  23. ^ "Leeds United F.C. History". Ozwhitelufc.net.au. Retrieved 2 April 2015.
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  41. What If There Had Been No Port In The Vale?: Startling Port Vale Stories! (Witan Books, 2011, ISBN 978-0-9529152-8-7)
  42. Kent, Jeff (1996). Port Vale Personalities. Witan Books. p. 138. ISBN 0-9529152-0-0.
  43. Gordon Hodgson management career statistics at Soccerbase
  44. Kent, Jeff (December 1991). Port Vale Tales: A Collection Of Stories, Anecdotes And Memories. Witan Books. p. 169. ISBN 0-9508981-6-3.
  45. Kent, Jeff (November 1998). The Potteries Derbies. Witan Books. p. 153. ISBN 0-9529152-3-5.
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  48. Gordon Hodgson management career statistics at Soccerbase

External links

Liverpool F.C. – Hall of Fame inductees
Port Vale F.C. – managers
(a) = acting in regular manager's absence; (c) = caretaker / interim manager; (s) = secretary
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