| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Francis Hoddinott | ||
| Date of birth | 29 November 1894 | ||
| Place of birth | Brecon, Wales | ||
| Date of death | November 1980 | ||
| Place of death | Southend, England | ||
| Playing position | Centre forward | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1913–191x | Aberdare Athletic | ||
| 1919–1921 | Watford | 52 | (29) |
| 1921–23 | Chelsea | 31 | (4) |
| 1923–1926 | Crystal Palace | ||
| 1926–1927 | Rhyl | ||
| 1927–1928 | New Brighton | ||
| 1928–1930 | Newark Town | ||
| 1930–193x | Grantham Town | ||
| National team | |||
| 1921 | Wales | 2 | (0) |
| Teams managed | |||
| 1929–1930 | Newark Town | ||
| 1930–193x | Grantham Town | ||
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals). |
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Frank Hoddinott (born Francis Hoddinott, 29 November 1894 – November 1980) was a Welsh association footballer. As well as being a professional footballer, he also boxed professionally in the 1920s.[1]
Born in Brecon, Hoddinott started his career in the Southern League with Aberdare Athletic, before moving to reigning Southern League champions Watford in 1919. Hoddinott's opportunities were limited in 1919–20; he played 13 of Watford's 43 fixtures, scoring 7 goals.[2] Watford joined the Football League the following season. Hoddinott finished it as Watford's top scorer with 25 goals in all competitions.[3] Additionally, he became the first player in Watford's history to earn international caps whilst at the club, and at the end of the season was sold to Chelsea for a fee of £3,500; higher than anything Watford had previously received.[1]
However, Hoddinott was unable to maintain the form he had shown at Watford, scoring only 4 goals in 31 Chelsea league matches. He subsequently joined Crystal Palace in 1923, Rhyl in 1926 and New Brighton in 1927. Towards the end of his playing career, Hoddinott player-managed Newark Town and Grantham Town, before joining Chelmsford City as a coach in 1933.[1]