Alan Hodgkinson MBE to hang up his gloves
Oxford United can confirm that goalkeeping coach Alan Hodgkinson MBE is to retire after 60 years in football.
Alan, 76, has enjoyed a fantastic career in the game, playing over 600 times for Sheffield United and winning fiveEngland caps before turning to a coaching career that saw him become the first specialist goalkeeping coach in the country. His coaching career took him all over the world, working with everyone from Manchester United and Glasgow Rangers to the England and Scotland national sides.
His services to football were recognised with an MBE in 2008.
Alan told www.oufc.co.uk:
" 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."
United Manager Chris Wilder paid tribute to Alan:
"Alan is a legend in the game and we are all very privileged to have worked with him. He has such knowledge and such a passion for the game and has been a fantastic servant to Oxford United, Sheffield United and the game of football. We wish him the very best of luck in his retirement."
Alan will be our guest of honour as United welcome Exeter City to the Kassam Stadium on Saturday September 8th.
Wayne Brown will step up to become United’s goalkeeping coach.