Louis Dodds

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Louis Dodds
LouisDodds2.JPG
Dodds playing for Port Vale in September 2010.
Personal information
Full name Louis Bartholomew Dodds[1]
Date of birth 8 October 1986 (1986-10-08) (age 25)[2]
Place of birth Sheffield, England
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[2]
Playing position Midfielder / Striker
Club information
Current club Port Vale
Number 8
Youth career
Ratby & Groby
1997–2006 Leicester City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2006–2008 Leicester City 0 (0)
2006 → Northwich Victoria (loan) 6 (3)
2007 → Rochdale (loan) 12 (2)
2007–2008 → Lincoln City (loan) 41 (9)
2008– Port Vale 145 (25)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 00:00, 10 March 2012 (UTC).
† Appearances (Goals).

Louis Bartholomew Dodds (born 8 October 1986) is an English footballer who plays for League Two side Port Vale. He can play either as a midfielder or as a striker.

After many years at the Leicester City Academy, he turned professional at the club in 2006. He spent the 2006–07 season on loan at Conference side Northwich Victoria and League Two club Rochdale. He then spent the entirety of the 2007–08 campaign on loan at Lincoln City. He turned down a new deal with Leicester to sign for Port Vale in July 2008, and was rewarded with 48 games in 2008–09, scoring ten goals. He scored eight goals in 49 games in 2009–10 and scored seven times in 41 games in 2010–11.

Contents

[edit] Playing career

Sheffield-born Dodds and his family moved to Leicester when he just five years old, where he joined the Leicester City youth academy at the age of ten.[3] He joined Leicester after being spotted by a talent scout while playing for Ratby & Groby, and whilst there earned himself a call-up to the England under-18 squad. He finished the 2005–06 season with a hat-trick in the final of the Westerby Challenge Cup, and also picked up the Academy Player of the Year trophy having scored 65 goals in three seasons for the Academy and reserves. Dodds was described by the Leicester management as "the most natural finisher at the club".

Dodds signed a new contract with the "Foxes" to keep him at the club until the summer of 2007, but on 9 October 2006 was allowed to join Conference side Northwich Victoria on loan to gain some first team experience.[4] This loan deal was extended in November,[5] before he was recalled by the "Foxes" at the end of the month due to an injury crisis.[6] In February 2007 he joined Rochdale on loan, and scored an early winner on his first start.[7] He scored two goals in twelve games for the "Dale".

In July 2007 he agreed to a season long loan deal at Lincoln City.[8] He scored nine goals during his spell with Lincoln City and was voted as scorer of the club's goal of the season for his long-range strike against Wycombe Wanderers. He showed an interest in joining the club permanently[9] and was offered a new contract at parent club Leicester,[10] but instead joined League Two's Port Vale on 21 July 2008, penning a two-year deal.[11][12]

On 9 August 2008, Dodds made his first start for the Vale in the opening game of the season against Luton Town and he was quick to win over his new supporters, scoring Vale's opening goal of the season with a 20 yard right footed shot.[13] He further enhanced his popularity with the Vale faithful with a long range strike against Shrewsbury Town.[14] He especially enjoyed great popularity with the club's female support, as he took away the club's 2009 "Mr Shirt of the Back" Award;[15] he went on to pick up the award for three seasons running.[16][17] He scored a total of ten goals in 48 games in 2008–09.

Manager Micky Adams arrived for the 2009–10 season, and transfer listed Dodds in late September, along with the entire Port Vale squad, after Vale slipped to a third consecutive defeat.[18] Dodds maintained his first team place however, scoring seven goals in 48 appearances. He was offered a new two year contract by the club at the end of the season,[19][20] which he duly signed.[21]

Vale enjoyed a positive start to the 2010–11 season. However in January 2011, Dodds found he was not a first team regular under new manager Jim Gannon, despite calls from supporters for Gannon to include Dodds in the first eleven.[22] Yet he managed to force himself back into contention with an impressive strike to seal a 2–1 win over Macclesfield Town on 5 March, after coming into the match as a late substitute.[23] After Gannon left the club just two weeks later, Dodds admitted that he probably would have left the club had Gannon remained in charge much longer.[24] He scored his first hat-trick in the Football League on 30 April, along with Justin Richards, in a 7–2 win over Morecambe.[25]

He was not in the first team at the start of the 2011–12 campaign, but instead came off the bench in five of the "Valiants"' first six games.[26][27] Having started just three league games by the half-way stage, Dodds admitted that his versatility was preventing him from nailing down a specialized role in the first eleven.[28] His third goal of the season came on 14 February, when he scored a "sensational" 15 yard volley past Bradford City at Valley Parade.[29]

[edit] Style of play

A skilful player, due to his goalscoring ability he is able to play as both a midfielder and as a striker.[2]

"I probably don't know where my best position is. Whether it is playing off a big man, in the hole or in the middle of a three, I'm just happy to be playing. The manager [Micky Adams] is probably coming to terms with what my best position is, but I'll play anywhere."
—Dodds can be used anywhere in midfield or attack, but prefers to play in the centre of the pitch.[30]

[edit] Personal life

Dodds as a Port Vale player at Vale Park.

Like the rest of his family, Dodds is a Sheffield Wednesday fan.[3] His family live in Leicester and Sheffield, whereas Dodds lives in Stoke-on-Trent.

[edit] Statistics

Club performance League Cup League Cup Total
Season Club League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
England League FA Cup League Cup Total
2006–07[31] Northwich Victoria Conference National 6 3 0 0 0 0 6 3
2006–07[31] Rochdale League Two 12 2 0 0 0 0 12 2
2007–08[32] Lincoln City League Two 41 9 2 0 1 0 44 9
2008–09[33] Port Vale League Two 44 7 2 3 1 0 48 10
2009–10[34] Port Vale League Two 44 6 2 1 1 0 49 8
2010–11[35] Port Vale League Two 33 7 4 0 2 0 41 7
2011–12[36] Port Vale League Two 24 5 2 0 0 0 27 5
Total England 205 38 12 4 5 0 228 45
Career total 205 38 12 4 5 0 228 45
Notes

[edit] Honours

Individual

[edit] References

  1. ^ "search births indexes 1837–2006". Findmypast.com. http://www.findmypast.co.uk/birth-indexes-search-start.action?redef=0. Retrieved 2 May 2009. 
  2. ^ a b c "Name: Louis Dodds". port-vale.co.uk. http://www.port-vale.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10381~30612,00.html. Retrieved 6 August 2011. 
  3. ^ a b Shaw, Steve (25 August 2009). "Port Vale: Dodds targets Wednesday start". The Sentinel. http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/portvale/Port-Vale-Dodds-target-Wednesday-start/article-1280030-detail/article.html. Retrieved 25 August 2009. 
  4. ^ "Northwich snap up Foxes striker". BBC Sport. 9 October 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/n/northwich_victoria/6035057.stm. Retrieved 24 May 2009. 
  5. ^ "Northwich extend Dodds' loan stay". BBC Sport. 3 November 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/n/northwich_victoria/6113182.stm. Retrieved 6 June 2009. 
  6. ^ "Foxes recall Dodds from Northwich". BBC Sport. 30 November 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/n/northwich_victoria/6159279.stm. Retrieved 6 June 2009. 
  7. ^ "Rochdale bag Foxes striker Dodds". BBC Sport. 20 February 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/r/rochdale/6378875.stm. Retrieved 24 May 2009. 
  8. ^ "Lincoln to net Leicester's Dodds". BBC Sport. 31 July 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/lincoln_city/6924066.stm. Retrieved 24 May 2009. 
  9. ^ "Dodds might stay at Lincoln City". BBC Sport. 4 March 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/lincoln_city/7277300.stm. Retrieved 6 June 2009. 
  10. ^ "Dodds offered new deal by Foxes". BBC Sport. 16 May 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/lincoln_city/7404658.stm. Retrieved 6 June 2009. 
  11. ^ "Port Vale complete Dodds signing". BBC Sport. 21 July 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/7509571.stm. Retrieved 24 May 2009. 
  12. ^ "Dodds Joins Valiants". LCFC.co.uk. 21 July 2008. http://www.lcfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/LatestNews/0,,10274~1348190,00.html. Retrieved 21 July 2008. 
  13. ^ "Luton 1–3 Port Vale". BBC Sport. 9 August 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_3/7541153.stm. Retrieved 6 June 2009. 
  14. ^ "Shrewsbury 1–2 Port Vale". BBC Sport. 11 October 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_3/7646994.stm. Retrieved 6 June 2009. 
  15. ^ "Player of the Year – Winners". Official Port Vale website. 27 April 2009. http://www.port-vale.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10381~1641394,00.html. Retrieved 28 April 2009. 
  16. ^ "Griffith Scoops Player of the Year". port-vale.co.uk. 12 May 2010. http://www.port-vale.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10381~2050063,00.html. Retrieved 12 May 2010. 
  17. ^ "Player of the Year Awards 2011". port-vale.co.uk. 9 May 2011. http://www.port-vale.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10381~2356317,00.html. Retrieved 9 May 2011. 
  18. ^ "Adams puts Vale squad up for sale". BBC Sport. 27 September 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/8277136.stm. Retrieved 27 September 2009. 
  19. ^ "Goalkeeper Joe Anyon released by Port Vale". BBC Sport. 12 May 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/8677302.stm. Retrieved 12 May 2010. 
  20. ^ "Dodds Signs Two-Year Deal". port-vale.co.uk. 18 May 2010. http://www.port-vale.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10381~2054352,00.html. Retrieved 18 May 2010. 
  21. ^ "Louis Dodds signs two-year deal with Port Vale". BBC Sport. 18 May 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/port_vale/8689520.stm. Retrieved 18 May 2010. 
  22. ^ Shaw, Steve (7 March 2011). "Port Vale: Dodds catches the eye with stunning strike to seal Vale success". The Sentinel. http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/vale/portvalenews/Port-Vale-Dodds-catches-eye-stunning-strike-seal-Vale-success/article-3299922-detail/article.html. Retrieved 7 March 2011. 
  23. ^ "Port Vale 2 - 1 Macclesfield". BBC Sport. 5 March 2011. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/9407664.stm. Retrieved 7 March 2011. 
  24. ^ Shaw, Steve (26 March 2011). "Port Vale: I would probably have left had Gannon remained as boss, admits Dodds". The Sentinel. http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/vale/portvalenews/Port-Vale-probably-left-Gannon-remained-boss-admits-Dodds/article-3377014-detail/article.html. Retrieved 26 March 2011. 
  25. ^ Phil Sherwin. "Phil Sherwin: Bizarre victory a fitting Vale Park finale for a bizarre season". The Sentinel. http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/vale/portvalenews/Phil-Sherwin-Bizarre-victory-fitting-Vale-Park-finale-bizarre-season/article-3509225-detail/article.html. Retrieved 2 May 2011. 
  26. ^ "Port Vale: Dodds wants chance to prove he's better than sub standard". The Sentinel. 30 August 2011. http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Port-Vale-Dodds-wants-chance-prove-s-better-sub/story-13230502-detail/story.html. Retrieved 30 August 2011. 
  27. ^ "Port Vale's Louis Dodds frustrated with lack of opportunities". BBC Sport. 7 September 2011. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14820400.stm. Retrieved 7 September 2011. 
  28. ^ "Port Vale's Louis Dodds 'held back by versatility'". BBC Sport. 18 January 2012. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16594447.stm. Retrieved 19 January 2012. 
  29. ^ "Port Vale: Tomlinson can recover from blunder, says Adams". The Sentinel. 15 February 2012. http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Port-Vale-Tomlinson-recover-blunder-says-Adams/story-15233855-detail/story.html. Retrieved 15 February 2012. 
  30. ^ "Port Vale: Dodds still searching for ideal role". The Sentinel. 27 August 2009. http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/portvale/Port-Vale-Dodds-searching-ideal-role/article-1287025-detail/article.html. Retrieved 27 August 2009. 
  31. ^ a b "Games played by Louis Dodds in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=44720&season_id=136. Retrieved 4 September 2011. 
  32. ^ "Games played by Louis Dodds in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=44720&season_id=137. Retrieved 4 September 2011. 
  33. ^ "Games played by Louis Dodds in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=44720&season_id=138. Retrieved 4 September 2011. 
  34. ^ "Games played by Louis Dodds in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=44720&season_id=139. Retrieved 4 September 2011. 
  35. ^ "Games played by Louis Dodds in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=44720&season_id=140. Retrieved 4 September 2011. 
  36. ^ "Games played by Louis Dodds in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=44720&season_id=141. Retrieved 4 September 2011. 

[edit] External links

Port Vale F.C. – current squad
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