Dennis Hodgetts
Dennis Hodgetts | |
|---|---|
| Born | Error: Invalid birth date for calculating age |
| Died | 25 March 1945 (aged 81) |
| Other names | Denny Hodgetts |
| Occupation(s) | Footballer, Publican |
| Years active | 1878–1897 |
| Known for | Early professional English footballer, Aston Villa FA Cup winner and league champion, England international |
Dennis Hodgetts (28 November 1863 – 25 March 1945), commonly referred to as Denny Hodgetts, was an early figure in professional English football.
His football journey started in 1878 as a youth player at Mitchell St George's, where he spent three years before moving to Great Lever for the 1881–82 campaign. Hodgetts then returned to Mitchell St George's in 1882, remaining there for an additional four seasons.
In February 1886, Hodgetts signed with Aston Villa. He notably netted the opening goal in Aston Villa's first-ever FA Cup final triumph and later secured a second FA Cup winner's medal in 1895. His contributions were vital to Aston Villa’s Football League championship victories in 1894 and 1896.
Season 1888–89
Hodgetts was characterized by his strength, sharp awareness, and ambidextrous skill. He was adept at shooting, delivering passes, and crossing while on the move. He appeared in Aston Villa’s inaugural League match at Dudley Road, Wolverhampton, which concluded with a 1–1 draw.
Throughout the 1888–89 season, Hodgetts participated in 17 out of 22 League fixtures for Aston Villa, scoring seven goals—including a brace against Everton—and added three goals in the FA Cup. He ended the season tied for third highest scorer alongside Archie Hunter. Playing primarily as a winger, he was involved in four games where Villa tallied three or more league goals. His performance contributed significantly to Aston Villa finishing as League runners-up.
Prior to Aston Villa achieving the historic Double title in 1897, Hodgetts transferred to local competitors Small Heath, where he completed one season before retiring from playing.
On the international stage, Hodgetts earned six appearances for England between 1888 and 1894, scoring once.
Following his retirement from football, he pursued a career as a publican and was appointed vice-president of Aston Villa in 1930, maintaining this position until his passing at age 81 in 1945.
The Villa News and Record 1 Sept. 1906
Statistics
| Club | Season | Division | League | FA Cup | Total | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
| Aston Villa | 1888–89 | The Football League | 17 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 20 | 10 |
| Aston Villa | 1889–90 | Football League | 19 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 21 | 11 |
| Aston Villa | 1890–91 | Football League | 18 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 20 | 8 |
| Aston Villa | 1891–92 | Football League | 24 | 9 | 5 | 6 | 34 | 15 |
| Aston Villa | 1892–93 | First Division | 28 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 29 | 8 |
| Aston Villa | 1893–94 | First Division | 29 | 12 | 4 | 2 | 33 | 14 |
| Aston Villa | 1894–95 | First Division | 25 | 11 | 5 | 0 | 30 | 11 |
| Aston Villa | 1895–96 | First Division | 21 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 22 | 4 |
| Small Heath | 1896–97 | Second Division | 22 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 23 | 9 |