Bert Hodgkinson

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Albert Victor Hodgkinson, known as Bert Hodgkinson, was a Welsh footballer born on 10 August 1884 in Pembroke Dock, Wales. He stood 5 ft 7 in tall and played as an outside left. He spent his career with several clubs in the 1900s, including Grimsby Town, Plymouth Argyle, Leicester Fosse, Bury, Southampton, Croydon Common, Southend United and Ilkeston United. He earned one cap for Wales in 1908.

Hodgkinson joined Southampton in 1907 after leaving Bury and made his debut on 7 September 1907, scoring in a 3–2 defeat to Crystal Palace. He formed partnerships with John Lewis and George Smith and, in 1907–08, made 29 appearances and scored 9 goals as Southampton finished mid-table. He played in all six FA Cup matches that season as Saints reached the semi-finals, losing to Wolverhampton Wanderers. Notably, in the 4th-round tie against Everton in 1908, the replay was delayed so Hodgkinson could attend his brother’s funeral, and Saints won 3–2 with Frank Costello named man of the match.

After leaving Southampton, he moved to non-league Croydon Common, then had spells with Southend United and Ilkeston United. Hodgkinson was also a capable baseball player, winning two National Baseball Association gold medals. After retiring from football, he settled in Derbyshire and ran the Rose & Crown Inn at Chellaston. His brother Bill Hodgkinson played for Derby County in 1903–04.

Bert Hodgkinson died on 25 November 1939 in Shelton Lock, England, aged 55.