Post by jupu on May 13, 2018 11:20:27 GMT
Former City player Ken Hodgkisson has passed away at the age of 85. Hodgkisson began his career with West Bromwich Albion in the 1950s, before going on to make more than 350 appearances in a decade with Walsall. An inside-forward, he was a regular in the Walsall team which won back-to-back promotions in 1960 and 1961, jumping from the Fourth to the Second Division. He became the Saddlers first ever substitute, coming off the bench against Workington in 1965.
Ken joined Worcester City in the summer of 1966, arriving at the same time as winger Alan Carter, having been given a free transfer by Walsall. City manager Bill Jones had previously tried to sign him when he was in charge at Cardiff City. He was 33 by then so clearly was coming towards the end of his playing career. “Ken is just the experienced man I need to keep the forward line together, he is a very good player,” said the City boss. That assessment seemed justified as Ken scored twice on the opening day of the season at Bath City and then got a hat-trick in his next game, a 6-2 home win against Nuneaton. But goals subsequently dried up – he managed only two more all season – and he ended up making many of his 26 appearances as a substitute.
He joined Dudley Town, where he also began a coaching career. which saw him spend four years at Albion youth team boss between 1981 and 1985. He also spent time working in Walsall's Centre of Excellence and also worked as a scout.
Ken joined Worcester City in the summer of 1966, arriving at the same time as winger Alan Carter, having been given a free transfer by Walsall. City manager Bill Jones had previously tried to sign him when he was in charge at Cardiff City. He was 33 by then so clearly was coming towards the end of his playing career. “Ken is just the experienced man I need to keep the forward line together, he is a very good player,” said the City boss. That assessment seemed justified as Ken scored twice on the opening day of the season at Bath City and then got a hat-trick in his next game, a 6-2 home win against Nuneaton. But goals subsequently dried up – he managed only two more all season – and he ended up making many of his 26 appearances as a substitute.
He joined Dudley Town, where he also began a coaching career. which saw him spend four years at Albion youth team boss between 1981 and 1985. He also spent time working in Walsall's Centre of Excellence and also worked as a scout.