It is with sadness that Leicester City have learned of the death of their former outside-right Billy Hodgson, who made 64 league and cup appearances for the Club between 1963 and 1965.
Born in Glasgow in 1935, Billy made his name at Sheffield United, for whom he appeared in an epic semi-final against Leicester City in the 1960/61 FA Cup. This tie needed two replays before Leicester City emerged as victors.
He moved to Filbert Street in September 1963, soon after the regular outside-right Howard Riley went part-time in order to train as a teacher.
Later that season, he played in both legs of a League Cup last-four victory over West Ham United, although he missed out on the final victory over Stoke City. The following season (1964/65), Billy made 43 league and cup appearances.
In October 1964, he scored Leicester City’s first-ever goal on Match of the Day, in a 3-2 home victory over Nottingham Forest. He also played against Chelsea in the two-legged final of the 1965 League Cup.
Following the arrival of outside-right Jackie Sinclair at Filbert Street in May 1965, Billy signed for Derby County a month later, before moving to Rotherham United briefly in 1967 and then to York City, where he became player/coach and caretaker manager.
After a further coaching post at Sheffield United in 1970, Billy returned to Scotland and played part-time for Hamilton Academicals.
The thoughts of everyone at Leicester City Football Club are with the family and friends of Billy at this sad time.
