1. Early life and playing career
David Hodgson began his journey in football in his hometown before embarking on a professional playing career that spanned over a decade, taking him to various clubs in England and abroad.
1.1. Early life
David James Hodgson was born on August 6, 1960, in Gateshead, England. Details about his early childhood are not extensively documented, but his football talent emerged at a young age, leading him to a professional career in the sport.
1.2. Club career
Hodgson's professional playing career as a midfielder began in 1978 with Middlesbrough, where he made 125 appearances and scored 16 goals over four years. In 1982, he moved to Liverpool, a top-tier club at the time. During his two-year spell at Liverpool, he made a total of 49 appearances between 1982 and 1984, contributing significantly to the team's success. He helped Liverpool secure two consecutive Football League First Division titles in the 1982-83 and 1983-84 seasons, as well as the FA Charity Shield in 1982 and the European Cup in 1983-84.
Following his successful period at Liverpool, Hodgson joined Sunderland in 1984, playing 40 matches and scoring 5 goals over two seasons. While at Sunderland, he was part of the team that reached the final of the Football League Cup in the 1984-85 season. He then moved to Norwich City in 1986, making 6 appearances and scoring 1 goal before briefly returning to Middlesbrough on loan in 1987 for 2 appearances.
His career also extended to continental Europe and Asia. From 1987 to 1988, he played 14 matches for Jerez CD in Spain. He then returned to England to play for Sheffield Wednesday from 1988 to 1989, where he appeared in 11 matches and scored 1 goal. From 1989 to 1990, Hodgson played for Mazda (then known as Toyo Kogyo Soccer Club) in Japan, where he registered as デビッドDavidJapanese. He played 13 matches and scored 5 goals in the Japan Soccer League Second Division during this period. His JSL Second Division debut was on August 26, 1989, against Mitsubishi, and his first goal came on October 28, 1989, against Teijin. After his stint in Japan, he moved to France to play for FC Metz from 1990 to 1992, appearing in 38 matches. His final club was Swansea City in Wales in 1992, where he made 3 appearances.
1.2.1. Club statistics
The following table details David Hodgson's club appearances and goals during his playing career:
| Club | Years | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Middlesbrough | 1978-1982 | 125 | 16 |
| Liverpool | 1982-1984 | 28 | 4 |
| Sunderland | 1984-1986 | 40 | 5 |
| Norwich City | 1986-1987 | 6 | 1 |
| Middlesbrough (loan) | 1987 | 2 | 0 |
| Jerez CD | 1987-1988 | 14 | 0 |
| Sheffield Wednesday | 1988-1989 | 11 | 1 |
| Mazda | 1989-1990 | 13 | 5 |
| FC Metz | 1990-1992 | 38 | 0 |
| Swansea City | 1992 | 3 | 0 |
1.3. International career
David Hodgson also represented his country at the youth level. He was a key member of the England under-21 team between 1980 and 1982. During this period, he made 7 appearances and scored 3 goals. His international career highlight came in 1982 when he was part of the squad that won the 1982 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, marking a significant achievement in his early playing career.
2. Managerial career
After concluding his playing career, David Hodgson transitioned into football management, most notably serving multiple stints as the manager of Darlington F.C..
2.1. Darlington FC
David Hodgson had three separate spells as manager of Darlington F.C.. His first tenure was briefly in 1995, followed by a longer period from August 1996 to August 2000. He returned for his third and final spell from October 2003 until September 2006. Across these three periods, Hodgson managed Darlington F.C. in over 400 games, making him a significant figure in the club's history. He departed from his post as Darlington manager in October 2006.
2.2. Managerial statistics
The table below summarizes David Hodgson's managerial record at Darlington F.C.:
| Team | From | To | Record | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | L | D | Win % | |||
| Darlington | August 1995 | December 1995 | 21 | 7 | 5 | 9 | 33.3 |
| Darlington | August 1996 | August 2000 | 215 | 76 | 81 | 58 | 35.3 |
| Darlington | October 2003 | September 2006 | 144 | 51 | 51 | 42 | 35.4 |
3. Honours
David Hodgson achieved several notable honours throughout his career as both a player and a manager.
3.1. As a player
Liverpool
- Football League First Division: 1982-83, 1983-84
- FA Charity Shield: 1982
- European Cup: 1983-84
Sunderland
- Football League Cup runner-up: 1984-85
England U21
- UEFA European Under-21 Championship: 1982
3.2. Managerial recognition
Beyond official titles, Hodgson's contributions as a manager were recognized by his peers and the wider football community. He was voted among the top 25 North East Managers of all time, highlighting his impact and legacy in the region.
4. Other activities
In addition to his direct involvement in playing and managing football, David Hodgson has engaged in other professional endeavors.
4.1. Post-retirement activities
After his primary career roles in football, David Hodgson has pursued other professional activities. He served as the director of sport at bhpsport, a division of Blackett Hart & Pratt LLP. In 2004, he also became an author, publishing a book titled Three Times A Quaker: My World of Football and Passion for Darlington F.C. The book, published by Speakeasy Publishing, provides insights into his experiences in football and his dedication to Darlington F.C.