Bill Dodge (footballer)

William Charles Dodge (born 10 March 1937 in Hackney, London) is an English former professional footballer who played for Eton Manor, Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace.[1]

Bill Dodge
Personal information
Full name William Charles Dodge
Date of birth (1937-03-10) 10 March 1937
Place of birth Hackney, London, England
Position(s) Wing half
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
?–1957 Eton Manor ? (?)
1957–1962 Tottenham Hotspur 6 (0)
1962–1963 Crystal Palace 3 (0)
1963 Kettering Town
1965–1971 Ashford Town (Kent)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Playing career

Dodge began his career at non-League club Eton Manor before joining Tottenham Hotspur in October, 1957. In January, 1959 after a string of poor results Spurs manager, Bill Nicholson dropped legendary Danny Blanchflower in a favour of the younger Dodge (the first of 57 players to be given their club debut by Nicholson) who played in a more defensive role. The decision prompted the Northern Ireland international to request a transfer. However, the White Hart Lane club were knocked out of the FA Cup by giantkillers Norwich City on 15 February 1959. After this shock result, Blanchflower was reinstated and appointed team captain a fortnight later.[2] Dodge featured in ten matches in all competitions in 1959 with the Lilywhites.[3] He transferred to Crystal Palace in July, 1962 where he notched up a further three appearances.

He went on to play non-league football with Kettering Town[4] and Ashford Town (Kent) for whom he had a 100% league appearance record over five years, and in his overall stay at Ashford a total of 425 appearances in all competitions.

References
  1. Hugman,B.J. (Ed) The PFA Premier& Football League Players' Records 1946-2005 (2005) ISBN 1-85291-665-6 p173. Retrieved 4 June 2010
  2. Bill Dodge Archived 8 November 2010 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 4 June 2010
  3. Tottenham Hotspur F.C A-Z of players Retrieved 28 November 2012
  4. Bill Dodge at Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Player's Database
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