Dennis Hodgetts

Dennis " Denny " Hodgetts ( born November 28, 1863 in Birmingham, † March 26, 1945 ) was an English footballer. The left winger was 1888-1896 twofold English Cup and Champion with Aston Villa.

Sports career

After a first experience in football for the teams of The Dreadnought, Birmingham St. George's and Great Lever Hodgetts joined Aston Villa in 1886. The club was at that time a dominant force in English football and in his first season 1886/87 drew Hodgetts after victories against, among others Wolverhampton Wanderers and Rangers with the "Villans " into the FA Cup final a. The opponents and local rivals West Bromwich Albion was there in the first half the better team until then the left winger Hodgetts made ​​even in the second half for the opening goal after its counterpart Richmond Davis had arranged for the preparation per edge. After another hit of the team captain Archie Hunter in the final minute Hodgetts won with the Aston Villa 2-0. In addition to the Cup success, he took from February to March 1888 participated in his first three appearances for England and won the matches against Wales (5:1), Scotland (5-0 ) and Ireland (5:1) significantly.

In the first season of the Football League 1888/89 Hodgetts won the runner-up, but from then on athletic performance curve showed slightly down. It was not until 1892 he reached with Villa again the FA Cup final, but which was now against WBA 0-3 lost. After a fourth place in the 1892/93 season Hodgetts won his first British championship in the subsequent season. He scored twelve of the total of 84 league goals of the association and was behind John Devey second best scorer of Aston Villa. On March 3, 1894 Hodgetts came to his sixth and last mission for England and remained in the 2-2 draw against Ireland for the first time without a win. His second FA Cup won Hodgetts 1895 Aston Villa, again, the old rival from West Bromwich was defeated - the decisive goal to make it 1-0 scored Bob Chatt after 30 seconds. This was followed by Hodgetts second English championship the following year, after which he left the club in August 1896 after a total of 91 goals in 215 games. He left his career finally at local rivals Small Heath - the later " Birmingham City " - finish.

The club chronicle of Aston Villa ( "Who's Who of Aston Villa " ) described Hodgetts back looking as powerful footballer who played preferably on the left outside. He was considered a fan favorite and was one of the top players of the club, which he also outside the place owed ​​its appearance with a carefully tended mustache and vertex. He is described as both having a great creativity unfolded on his position was difficult to separate from the ball and had a hard shot.

After the active career

Hodgetts joined the coaching staff in 1899 in Small Heath, but went after only one season his " bourgeois " profession as a restaurateur after. The former Aston Villa he remained faithful later as vice president - a position he held until his death in 1945.

Achievements

  • English Champion: 1894, 1896
  • English Cup Winners: 1887, 1895
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