Frank Hoddinott Explained

Frank Hoddinott
Fullname:Francis Hoddinott
Birth Date:26 November 1894
Birth Place:Brecon, Wales
Death Place:Southend, England
Height:[1]
Position:Centre forward
Years1:1913–191x
Clubs1:Aberdare Athletic
Years2:1919–1921
Clubs2:Watford
Caps2:52
Goals2:29
Years3:1921–1923
Clubs3:Chelsea
Caps3:31
Goals3:4
Years4:1923–1926
Clubs4:Crystal Palace
Caps4:79
Goals4:20
Years5:1926–1927
Clubs5:Rhyl
Years6:1927–1928
Clubs6:New Brighton
Caps6:23
Goals6:6
Years7:1928–1930
Clubs7:Newark Town
Years8:1930–193x
Clubs8:Grantham Town
Manageryears1:1929–1930
Managerclubs1:Newark Town
Manageryears2:1930–193x
Managerclubs2:Grantham Town
Nationalyears1:1921
Nationalteam1:Wales
Nationalcaps1:2
Nationalgoals1:0

Francis Hoddinott (26 November 1894 – 12 November 1980), also known as Tom Hoddinott,[2] was a Welsh association footballer. As well as being a professional footballer, he also boxed professionally in the 1920s.

Career

Born in Brecon, Hoddinott started his career in the Southern League with Aberdare Athletic, before moving to reigning Southern League champions Watford in 1919. Hoddinott's opportunities were limited in 1919–20; he played 13 of Watford's 43 fixtures, scoring 7 goals. Watford joined the Football League the following season. Hoddinott finished it as Watford's top scorer with 25 goals in all competitions. Additionally, he became the first player in Watford's history to earn international caps whilst at the club, and at the end of the season was sold to Chelsea for a fee of £3,500; higher than anything Watford had previously received.

However, Hoddinott was unable to maintain the form he had shown at Watford, scoring only 4 goals in 31 Chelsea league matches. He subsequently joined Crystal Palace in 1923, Rhyl in 1926 and New Brighton in 1927. Towards the end of his playing career, Hoddinott player-managed Newark Town and Grantham Town, before joining Chelmsford City as a coach in 1933.

Notes and References

  1. News: First Division prospects. Chelsea . Achates . Athletic News . Manchester . 22 August 1921 . 5.
  2. Book: Purkiss. Mike. Sands. Nigel. Crystal Palace: A Complete Record 1905–1989. The Breedon Books Publishing Company. 328. 0907969542.