Hodgy died today aged 79. He was one of the best goalkeepers of the late 50s and 60s and was part of England's 1962 World Cup squad. Even though he played for Sheffield United I am sure many people on this site will want to remember a fine player and respected coach who was still coaching at Oxford United until a couple of years ago.
I never saw him play, but he was one of a number of small keepers, who were top flight internationals of their day. Hodgkinson was 5'9", as was the other England keeper of the time, Hopkinson of Bolton Wanderers. Hodgkinson himself replaced the acrobatic Ted Burgin in Blades' goal and he was 5'8". Burgin was the best keeper I saw. The season he left Leeds for Rochdale, the 'Dale got to the league cup final and that was in no little part due to the excellence of Ted Burgin in goal. Sorry - this was supposed to be an appreciation of Alan Hodgkinson and he was one f the greats.
He seemed to be a well respected player within the game. I believe he was involved in coaching the great Peter Schmeichel. RIP Alan.
Sheffield was blessed at that time with Ron Springett at one end and Hodgy at the other. They were proper First Division power houses at that time. Height is definitely not a hindrance for a keeper. For us Clive Baker was one of the best and he was well under six foot
