Lee Hodson

Lee James Stephen Hodson (born 2 October 1991)[4] is a professional footballer who plays for League One side Gillingham.

Lee Hodson
Hodson in training for Milton Keynes Dons
Personal information
Full name Lee James Stephen Hodson[1]
Date of birth (1991-10-02) 2 October 1991[2]
Place of birth Borehamwood, England
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[3]
Playing position(s) Right-back
Club information
Current team
 Gillingham
Youth career
1999–2004 Boreham Wood
2004–2009 Watford
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009–2013 Watford 83 (1)
2012–2013 → Brentford (loan) 13 (0)
2013–2016 Milton Keynes Dons 40 (2)
2016 → Kilmarnock (loan) 13 (0)
2016–2019 Rangers 17 (1)
2018–2019 → St Mirren (loan) 20 (0)
2019– Gillingham 7 (0)
2020 → St Mirren (loan) 7 (0)
National team‡
2008–2009 Northern Ireland U19 5 (0)
2009–2012 Northern Ireland U21 10 (0)
2010– Northern Ireland 24 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 11 March 2020 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 22:47, 5 June 2018 (UTC)

Hodson is a defender, and plays primarily as a right-back, but has had spells at left back and as a wingback during his career.[5] He made his first team debut for Watford in May 2009 against Derby County, before playing in the majority of Watford's games in the 2009–10 season, during which he earned a three-year professional contract.

Hodson was born in England and was eligible to play for Northern Ireland through his grandmother. He has represented the latter country at youth, under-19 and under-21 levels, and in November 2010 was called up to the senior Northern Ireland team for the first time.

Early life

Hodson was born in Hertfordshire, and grew up in Borehamwood, near Watford. He was involved with "Borehamwood 2000", a football scheme run by Boreham Wood, before joining Watford's youth system.[6] Hodson progressed through the academy, playing 26 times for the under-18 side in 2007–08 despite still being a schoolboy.[7] He also started nine times for the club's reserve team.[8] Hodson signed for the club as an academy scholar in June 2008, and continued to play for the club's reserve and under-18 teams in the 2008–09 season.[9]

Club career
Hodson as a player of Watford

Watford

Hodson made named on Watford's substitute bench for the first time on 3 May 2009, in a home game against Derby County. He was brought in the 65th minute, as a substitute for Arsenal loanee Gavin Hoyte. The match finished as a 3–1 Watford win.[10]

Following two separate injuries to club captain Jay DeMerit early in the 2009–10 season, Adrian Mariappa moved to central defence, and Hodson started to play regularly in the Championship at right back.[11] Hodson played in every Watford first team game in September and October 2009, and by November he had earned himself a three-year professional contract with the club.[12] He went on to play 34 first-team matches that season—31 in the Championship—and picked up 2 yellow cards.[13] Although primarily used at right-back, he deputised at left-back when Lloyd Doyley sustained an injury towards the end of the season.[14] Hodson was named the Championship's Apprentice of the Month for November 2009, and was nominated for the division's Apprentice of the Year award; the other nominees were Adam Matthews and Nathan Modest.[15] Matthews, an under-21 international for Wales, eventually won the award.[16]

At the start of the 2010–11 season, Hodson retained his place in the first team, playing in all of Watford's first eight league fixtures.[13] However, following the arrival of left-back Andrew Taylor on loan from Middlesbrough, Hodson faced competition from Doyley for his place at right-back.[17] After period out of the team, Hodson returned to Watford's starting line-up early in 2011, following Taylor's return to Middlesbrough.[18] He scored his first ever senior goal against Leeds United in the Championship on 16 April 2011.[19]

Following the arrival of left back Carl Dickinson, Hodson faced competition at right back from Doyley in the 2011–12 season. Hodson did not make his first start until 29 October.[20] He featured regularly in subsequent months; by 3 March 2012 Hodson had made 20 league starts, although that date marked his last appearance in the 2011–12 season.[13]

Brentford (loan)

On 22 November 2012, Hodson joined Brentford on loan until early January.[21] Hodson extended his loan with Brentford on 8 January 2013 until the end of the 2012–13 season.[22]

Milton Keynes Dons

On 20 July 2013, Hodson joined Milton Keynes Dons on a one-year contract, with the option of another year.[23] On 29 May 2015, Hodson signed a new two-year contract.[24]

Kilmarnock (loan)

On 1 February 2016, Hodson signed for Scottish Premiership club Kilmarnock on loan until the end of the 2015–16 season.[25]

Rangers

On 29 June 2016, Hodson joined Scottish Premiership side Rangers on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.[26] He made his debut for the club in a League Cup match against Annan Athletic on 19 July 2016.[27] On 3 December 2016, he scored his first goal for the club, against Aberdeen, in a 2–1 victory at Ibrox Stadium.[28]

St Mirren (loan)

On 20 August 2018, Hodson joined Scottish Premiership side St Mirren on loan on a season-long loan deal.[29]

Gillingham

On 8 June 2019, Hodson joined League One side Gillingham on a two-year contract.[30]

St Mirren (second loan)

After limited appearances for Gillingham, Hodson rejoined St Mirren on loan in January 2020, until he end of the season.[31]

International career

Hodson, who was born and raised in England, is eligible to play for Northern Ireland as his paternal grandmother was born in the country's capital, Belfast.[6][32] Having represented Northern Ireland at youth and under-19 levels, Hodson moved up to the under-21 team aged 17 in 2009. He played his first games at that level in a side captained by Hodson's former Watford teammate Craig Cathcart.[33][34] In March 2010 Northern Ireland under-21 manager Steve Beaglehole claimed that the English FA had approached Hodson with a view to him switching his allegiance to England.[32]

Hodson remained with Northern Ireland, and was called up to the senior squad for the first time in November 2010, for a friendly against Morocco. He was subsequently selected for the match.[35][36] Later that season, Hodson played all of Northern Ireland's matches in the Nations Cup.[13][37] In 2011–12, Hodson played his first games in the UEFA European Football Championships, in Northern Ireland's qualifiers against Estonia and Italy.[13]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 11 March 2020[13][38]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Watford 2008–09[39] Championship 100000—10
2009–10[40] Championship 3101020—340
2010–11[41] Championship 2911010—311
2011–12[42] Championship 2001000—210
2012–13[43] Championship 20—200040
Total 831305000911
Brentford (loan) 2012–13[43] League One 13030—2[lower-alpha 1]0180
Milton Keynes Dons 2013–14[44] League One 231401000281
2014–15[45] League One 141001000151
2015–16[46] Championship 302030—80
Total 402605000512
Kilmarnock (loan) 2015–16[46] Scottish Premiership 13020—2[lower-alpha 2]0170
Rangers 2016–17[47] Scottish Premiership 1112050—181
2017–18[47] Scottish Premiership 6010200090
Total 171307000271
St Mirren (loan) 2018–19[48] Scottish Premiership 20010002[lower-alpha 2]0230
Gillingham 2019–20[49] League One 7010103[lower-alpha 3]0120
St Mirren (loan) 2019–20[49] Scottish Premiership 70300000100
Career total 2004220180902494
  1. One appearance in League One play-offs, one in Football League Trophy
  2. Appearances in Scottish Premiership play-offs
  3. Three appearances in the Football League Trophy

International
As of match played 3 June 2018[50]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Northern Ireland 201010
201150
201230
201350
201510
201640
201730
201820
Total240

Honours

Milton Keynes Dons

References
  1. "List of Players under Written Contract Registered Between 01/10/2009 and 31/10/2009" (PDF). The Football Association. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
  2. Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (2012). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2012–2013 (43rd ed.). London: Headline. p. 547. ISBN 978-0-7553-6356-8.
  3. Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2009). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2009–10. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84596-474-0.
  4. "Search results". findmypast.com. Retrieved 14 November 2009.
  5. McDougall, Mark (29 June 2016). "All you need to know about Lee Hodson as Rangers close in on defender". Daily Record. Glasgow: Trinity Mirror.
  6. "Family full of pride for Watford star Hodson". Borehamwood Times. 10 December 2010. Retrieved 14 December 2010.
  7. "Academy stat pack 2007/08". Watford Football Club. 10 September 2013. Archived from the original on 27 March 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
  8. "Reserve season 2007/08 – The full stat pack". Watford Football Club. 10 September 2013. Archived from the original on 27 March 2012. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
  9. "The apprentices". Watford Football Club. 10 September 2013. Archived from the original on 3 May 2010. Retrieved 14 November 2010.
  10. "Watford vs Derby County". Watford Football Club. 10 September 2013. Archived from the original on 16 February 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
  11. "Profiles: Lee Hodson". Watford Football Club. Archived from the original on 10 June 2012. Retrieved 18 October 2009.
  12. "Hodson signs new deal". Watford Football Club. 10 September 2013. Archived from the original on 27 March 2012. Retrieved 13 November 2009.
  13. "Lee Hodson: Watford". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 May 2012.
  14. Smith, Frank (20 April 2010). "Lloyd Doyley could make Watford return against QPR but USA international is a doubt". Watford Observer. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
  15. "Shortlist in focus: Apprentice". The Football League. 9 March 2010. Archived from the original on 22 April 2013. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
  16. "Adam scoops Championship gong". Cardiff City. 10 September 2013. Archived from the original on 9 March 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
  17. Smith, Frank. "Watford boss says capture of Middlesbrough defender Andrew Taylor stops putting 'square pegs in round holes'". Watford Observer. Retrieved 14 November 2010.
  18. Smith, Frank (4 March 2011). "Watford defender Lee Hodson looking to rediscover last season's form". Watford Observer. Retrieved 8 March 2011.
  19. Smith, Frank (16 April 2011). "Drama until the death in 2–2 draw". Watford Observer. Newsquest. Retrieved 6 June 2011.
  20. Matthews, Anthony (29 October 2011). "Entertaining Hornets beat Posh". Watford Observer. Retrieved 5 February 2012.
  21. "Brentford sign Watford's Hodson & Fulham's Trotta on loan". BBC Sport. 22 November 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  22. "LOAN UPDATE: Hodson Extension". Watford Football Club. 8 January 2013. Archived from the original on 11 January 2013. Retrieved 24 January 2013.
  23. "MK Dons: Lee Hodson joins from Watford on free transfer". BBC Sport. BBC. 21 July 2013. Retrieved 22 July 2013.
  24. "Lee Hodson: MK Dons right-back signs new two-year contract". BBC Sport. BBC. 29 May 2015. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  25. Barnes, John (1 February 2016). "Kilmarnock sign up Gary Dicker & Lee Hodson". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  26. Smith, Neil (29 June 2016). "Mark's Been A Huge Influence". Rangers.co.uk. Rangers Football Club.
  27. "Rangers 2-0 Annan Athletic". BBC Sport. BBC. 19 July 2016.
  28. "Lee Hodson's strike settles feisty encounter as Rangers beat Aberdeen". The Guardian. London: Guardian Media Group. 3 December 2016.
  29. "Lee Hodson: Rangers full-back joins St Mirren on loan". 20 August 2018. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
  30. "Gills capture Lee Hodson signing". www.gillinghamfootballclub.com. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
  31. "St Mirren: Seifedin Chabbi arrives after failed bid for Celtic's Vakoun Bayo". 30 January 2020. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  32. McKinley, Stuart (31 March 2010). "Back off our players, IFA warn English". Belfast Telegraph. Belfast: Independent News & Media. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
  33. "Lee Hodson". Irish Football Association. Archived from the original on 29 October 2009. Retrieved 13 November 2009.
  34. "N Ireland U21 1–1 Germany U21". BBC Sport. 13 November 2009. Retrieved 13 November 2009.
  35. Smith, Frank (13 November 2010). "Northern Ireland call-up Watford defender Lee Hodson for the first time". Watford Observer. Watford: Newsquest. Retrieved 14 November 2010.
  36. "Adam Barton and Lee Hodson to make N Ireland debuts". BBC Sport. 16 November 2010. Retrieved 16 November 2010.
  37. "Carling Nations Cup 2011". Football Association of Ireland (FAI). 29 May 2011. Retrieved 2 May 2012.
  38. Lee Hodson at Soccerway
  39. "Games played by Lee Hodson in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
  40. "Games played by Lee Hodson in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
  41. "Games played by Lee Hodson in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
  42. "Games played by Lee Hodson in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
  43. "Games played by Lee Hodson in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
  44. "Games played by Lee Hodson in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
  45. "Games played by Lee Hodson in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
  46. "Games played by Lee Hodson in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
  47. "Games played by Lee Hodson in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
  48. "Games played by Lee Hodson in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
  49. "Games played by Lee Hodson in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  50. "Lee Hodson". eu-football.info. Retrieved 9 September 2016.
  51. "2015: Dons clinch promotion in style". Milton Keynes Dons. 30 December 2015. Retrieved 23 September 2017.
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