Billy Hodge

Billy Hodge arrived in Hove from Ayr United during the summer of 1912, and got his chance when Ralph Routledge was forced to quit the game early in the 1912-13 campaign. Capable of filling either full-back berth, the robust Scot had a good run in the first team until giving way to Frank Spencer in January, but played in all six matches of the excellent Southern Charity Cup run when Albion, fielding mainly a reserve side, went all the way to the final only to be beaten 4-1 after extra time by Queen’s Park Rangers at The Den.

Billy made only occasional appearances in the first team the following season and played his final game for the reserves in January 1914, after which he moved back to Scotland. He joined the Ayrshire junior club Gaston in September, and made the short journey to Lanemark in February 1915 before disappearing from the scene when the First World War brought chaos to organised football. Billy later worked as a colliery pump attendant.

Billy played 33 matches for the Seagulls between 1912 and 1914.