Bill Dodge (footballer)
Encyclopedia
For the Law clerk of the Supreme Court of the United States of the same name see Bill Dodge
William Charles 'Bill' Dodge (10 March 1937 in Hackney
) is a former English
professional footballer
who played for Eton Manor
, Tottenham Hotspur
and Crystal Palace
.
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. Dodge featured in ten matches in all competitions in 1959 with the Lilywhites. He transferred to Crystal Palace in July, 1962 where he notched up a further three appearances.
Bill Dodge
For the English footballer see Bill Dodge Professor William S. Dodge was born in Nigeria, where his parents were stationed while serving in the Peace Corps. Shortly after he was born, his family returned to the Marin headlands, in California, where Bill spent the remainder of his childhood...
William Charles 'Bill' Dodge (10 March 1937 in Hackney
London Borough of Hackney
The London Borough of Hackney is a London borough of North/North East London, and forms part of inner London. The local authority is Hackney London Borough Council....
) is a former English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
professional footballer
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
who played for Eton Manor
Eton Manor F.C.
-Early years:The club was formed in 1901 by rich and influential families of the likes of Barings, Villiers and Lord Chelsea for the benefit of bringing sport to the poor and underprivileged youth of the East End of London...
, Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
and Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
.
Playing career
Dodge began his career at non LeagueNon-league football
Non-League football is football in England played at a level below that of the Premier League and The Football League. The term non-League was commonly used well before 1992 when the top football clubs in England all belonged to The Football League; all clubs who were not a part of The Football...
club Eton Manor before joining Tottenham Hotspur in October, 1957. In January, 1959 after a string of poor results Spurs manager, Bill Nicholson
Bill Nicholson (footballer)
William Edward "Bill" Nicholson OBE was an English football player, coach, manager and scout who devoted his life to Tottenham Hotspur in North London.-Early life:...
dropped legendary Danny Blanchflower
Danny Blanchflower
Robert Dennis "Danny" Blanchflower was a former Northern Ireland international footballer and football manager, and journalist who captained Tottenham Hotspur F.C. during its double-winning season of 1961. He was ranked as the greatest player in Spurs history by The Times in 2009...
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
Northern Ireland national football team
The Northern Ireland national football team represents Northern Ireland in international association football. Before 1921 all of Ireland was represented by a single side, the Ireland national football team, organised by the Irish Football Association...
international to request a transfer. However, the White Hart Lane
White Hart Lane
White Hart Lane is an all-seater football stadium in Tottenham, London, England. Built in 1899, it is the home of Tottenham Hotspur and, after numerous renovations, the stadium has a capacity of 36,230....
club were knocked out of the FA Cup by giantkillers Norwich City
Norwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
on 15 February 1959. After this shock result, Blanchflower was reinstated and appointed team captain a fortnight later. Dodge featured in ten matches in all competitions in 1959 with the Lilywhites. He transferred to Crystal Palace in July, 1962 where he notched up a further three appearances.