Dennis Hodgetts

Dennis Hodgetts

Personal information
Date of birth	(1863-11-28)28 November 1863
Place of birth	Birmingham, England
Date of death	26 March 1945(1945-03-26) (aged 81)
Position(s)	Forward
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
–	Mitchell St George's
–	Great Lever
–	Mitchell St George's
1888–1895	Aston Villa	178	(62)
1896	Small Heath	22	(9)
International career
1888–1894	England	6	(1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Dennis Hodgetts (28 November 1863 – 26 March 1945), commonly known as Denny Hodgetts, was a footballer in the early years of professional football in England.

Hodgetts signed for Aston Villa in 1886. The following year he scored the first goal in Aston Villa's first FA Cup final triumph. In 1895 he collected another FA Cup winners medal with Villa. Hodgetts was also a key member of the Football League title-winning sides of 1894 and 1896.

On the eve of Villa's Double-winning success in 1897 (in what would have been his third FA Cup final with Villa) Hodgetts transferred to local rivals Small Heath before retiring in 1898.

He made six appearances for England between 1888 and 1894, scoring once.

He went on to become a publican, and in 1930 was elected Aston Villa's vice-president, a position he held until his death, aged 81, in March 1945.

A born football player. Remarkably clever with his feet, and possessed many original ideas. Effective in combination, an admirable coach, his skill and unselfishness having the happiest results. Shone especially in 'nursing' players lighter and less skilful than himself, many juniors coming into prominence on the strength of his tuition and example.

The Villa News and Record 1 Sept. 1906

External links

• Profile on Englandstats.com