People of Note
Alan Hodgkinson, Goalkeeper and Coach
Former England international Alan Hodgkinson was born at Laughton Common, the son of Len Hodgkinson, a miner. He started his football career with Rother Valley Schools, and Thurcroft Youth Club before signing with Worksop Town.
Capped five times by England, he was a member of the England World Cup Squad in 1958 and 1962, he has played with some of the best including Stanley Matthews, Duncan Edwards, Tom Finney, Denis Law and George Best. Alan helped launch Peter Schmeichel's career at Manchester United and David Seaman's career with England.
1953/4 he was transferred from Worksop Town to Sheffield United where he made 576 appearances over a fifteen year period, the last being in the 1970/71 season.
He was a member of the England World Cup Squad in 1958 and 1962.
After he finished playing in 1971, he began a coaching career which included a stint with Scotland before joining Sheffield United as Assistant Trainer Coach.
Just before his 60th birthday, he underwent a quadruple heart bypass, a month later he was back at work, in Moscow, helping Scotland's keepers prepare for a match against Russia in a Euro 96 qualifier.
In June, 2002, he joined Coventry City as their new goalkeeping coach, following on from Steve Ogrizovic. He was sacked in May, 2004 along with Eric Black and Archie Knox.
He spent six years as assistant manager of Gillingham
In 2001 Alan Hodgkinson was looking after the youth goalkeepers at Glasgow Rangers.
He left Rushden and Diamonds in May, 2005.
He is now Goalkeeping coach with Oxford United.
Alan Hodgkinson was awarded the MBE in the New Years Honours 2008.
He still has family living locally. Pictured is Alan with his cousin Trevor Hodgkinson
©2004