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Sjt. Edward Hodgson
British Army 52nd Btn. Manchester Regiment
from:Chorley
(d.4th Aug 1919)
Teddy Hodgson, played professional football for Burnley FC before he joined the Army in 1915, quickly gaining promotion to sergeant-instructor. Again, like many professionals, he was able to return to Burnley to represent his club in the wartime leagues, playing and scoring on a regular basis. It was at Stockport in March 1919 that he wore the claret and blue for the last time.
While serving in the Army of occupation in Germany the following summer he developed kidney trouble and was confined to hospital where his condition rapidly deteriorated. At the end of July he was returned to England where he underwent a series of operations at the Whalley Military Hospital in the Ribble Valley. It was to no avail and Teddy Hodgson passed away on 4th August 1919 at only 33 years of age.
A perfect gentleman both on and off the field, he had been hugely popular with the Clarets’ fans and hundreds of people lined the Burnley streets as his funeral cortege moved slowly from his home in Haven Street to the town’s cemetery. The Burnley Express was moved to write thus: “Last week, the cleverest inside-left Burnley have ever had was taken to his final resting place. Teddy Hodgson was probably Burnley’s best and most consistent forward, and Bert Freeman will greatly feel the loss of so smart and tricky a partner.â€
The following month, a benefit match was held at Turf Moor, and a crowd of over 4,000 saw a Burnley XI take on a Football League XI, with more than £250 raised for Teddy Hodgson’s family. Teddy Hodgson’s senior football career, all spent with Burnley, was relatively short, lasting just four seasons, but he made an enormous impact with his abundance of natural talent. He will always be remembered as one of Turf Moor’s true footballing legends.
