Joe Dodds

Joseph "Joe" Dodds (14 July 1887 in Carluke, Lanarkshire – 14 October 1965) was a Scottish international footballer who played club football for Celtic (in two spells), Cowdenbeath and Queen of the South. Dodds was unbeaten in his 3 full caps for Scotland. Dodds was a quick and dependable left back.[1]

Career

Dodds joined Celtic in the summer of 1908 from Carluke Milton Rovers. He made 351 league appearances.[2] Dodds was considered among the Celtic greats of his era and along with Shaw and Alec McNair was considered to have formed one of the greatest club defences in British football.[3] At Celtic Dodds picked up many senior medals.

While at Celtic, Dodds gained three full Scotland caps, including playing in the 3-1 win over England on April 4, 1914. This followed draws against Wales (0-0 at home on February 28) and Northern Ireland (1-1 away on March 14) of the same year, giving Dodds an unbeaten full international record.[1] Dodds also represented the Scottish League XI eight times between 1912 and 1920.[4]

Dodds left Celtic in 1920 to join Cowdenbeath then of the Central League, who were offering him more money.[1] He returned to Celtic a year later for one last season, but resigned in August 1922 after a dispute about a benefit.[1]

Dodds went to Queen of the South in a move that surprised many as he had been expected to sign for then top division club Morton. Dodds joined Queens as player coach.[5] The signing created a sensation and was viewed as a major coup for the fledgling Dumfries club then in their third season. Dodds made his Queens debut on October 28, 1922 against Royal Albert at Raploch Park, Larkhall. At Queens in 1922-23 Joe Dodds played alongside another experienced signing, ex Liverpool F.A. Cup finalist Bob McDougall, in the last season Queens when played in a regional set up. Queens were unbeaten in winning the Western League that season.[5] With Bob McDermid also having joined them, Dodds was with Queen of the South when they entered the Scottish Football League in the newly created Third Division. The club finished third and won the Scottish Qualifying Cup.[5] Dodds remained at Queens until his retirement in 1928.[3] The club developed solidly.[5]

In 1936 Dodds went back to Celtic as assistant trainer. During the War, he served in France in the Royal Field Artillery as a Driver.[1]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Scottish Football Association: The Scottish FA: Scotland :
  2. ↑ www.scottishleague.net :: View topic - Played more than 300 league appearances for one club
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "The Queens" by Iain McCartney on Creedon Publications, 2004
  4. ↑ "Scotland FL Players by Appearances". Londonhearts.com (London Hearts Supporters' Club). Retrieved 27 November 2011.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 "Club History" on the official Queen of the South website

External links