Alan Hodgkinson packs away his gloves

Alan Hodgkinson MBE has decided to call time on his involvement with football aged 76.

Alan was Oxford United goalkeeping coach since 2005 He told the OUFC website

' It has been a long journey but every journey has to end somewhere and the time is right for me to call it a day in football. I have a heavy heart but after sixty seasons I think I have done my share in football. I have met so many great people: managers, players, directors and especially the fans who have been wonderful to me.

'I hope I have been a help to the keepers along the way. All the goalkeepers I have worked with have worked very hard and I am very proud and grateful for their work. Seeing them all develop has been fantastic.

'I have loved my time at Oxford. I was lucky enough to work at national level and with clubs like Manchester United and Rangers, but the support that Oxford get is magnificent and the club means the world to me. I have made so many friends among the staff and the supporters and I wish them the very best of luck in getting up into the next division.'

As a player he was a one club man making 675 appearances for his hometown club Sheffield United between 1953 and 1971. In that time he represented England 5 times.

His coaching career took him to Glasgow Rangers, Everton, Manchester City, Aston Villa, Leicester City, Sheffield Wednesday, Gillingham, Birmingham City, Coventry, Watford, Rushden & Diamonds and lastly here.

With over 60 years in the game he is a true football man dedicating his life to the game he loves.

We wish him well in his retirement and look forward to helping Alan celebrate when he will be honoured at the Npower league two match involving Oxford United and Exeter City on the 8th of September 2012.

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