RIP Frank Hodgetts-Our youngest ever player 1924-2018

[mickd1961]

I was so sad to read about this in our local paper tonight.

Frank made his first team debut at the age of 16 years and 26 days in 1940 and was at the club until 1949.

Frank ate most days at the Hagley Cafe near Stourbridge and I often was in at the same time as him,a real gent was Frank and a very humble man.

I chatted with him last year and showed him some pictures of himself on Google which tickled him....in truth he’d hardly changed and was still his playing weight!

He only packed in playing a high standard of golf in his late 80’s and was chairman of Kidderminster tennis club for a long stretch I believe.

Last year as I was leaving the cafe I felt a tad nervous as I could see Frank preparing to cross what is a pretty busy road......he stepped out and realised the cars were coming a little quicker than expected!

As I held my breath Frank broke into a ten yard sprint a bloke in his 30’s would be proud of......it gladdened my heart to see such an old man who had so obviously taken pride in his fitness his whole life.

He was not only our youngest ever player but up to last week he was our oldest surviving player and the club never forgot Frank and often invited him to special ocaissions.

Such a nice man and so well liked.

Very well played Frank.....you played a blinder!

RIP old lad.

[Newcy Wolf]

If I may, that's a really good post mickd.
Great servants to clubs could easily be forgotten when we are talking that far back.
Puts the current day "pros" to shame.
Top gent by the sounds.

[soulman101]

I was so sad to read about this in our local paper tonight.

Frank made his first team debut at the age of 16 years and 26 days in 1940 and was at the club until 1949.

Frank ate most days at the Hagley Cafe near Stourbridge and I often was in at the same time as him,a real gent was Frank and a very humble man.

I chatted with him last year and showed him some pictures of himself on Google which tickled him....in truth he’d hardly changed and was still his playing weight!

He only packed in playing a high standard of golf in his late 80’s and was chairman of Kidderminster tennis club for a long stretch I believe.

Last year as I was leaving the cafe I felt a tad nervous as I could see Frank preparing to cross what is a pretty busy road......he stepped out and realised the cars were coming a little quicker than expected!

As I held my breath Frank broke into a ten yard sprint a bloke in his 30’s would be proud of......it gladdened my heart to see such an old man who had so obviously taken pride in his fitness his whole life.

He was not only our youngest ever player but up to last week he was our oldest surviving player and the club never forgot Frank and often invited him to special ocaissions.

Such a nice man and so well liked.

Very well played Frank.....you played a blinder!

RIP old lad.

HI Mick there was a tribute before the Burnley game. He was one of Bobby Hope's mentors, who also made his debut at 16