Over the course of writing this column, I have attacked all of the ills I see at the club; under-performing players, tactical naivety, lack of funds…etc. But I never thought I would be criticising the supporters. We have, quite rightly, long prided ourselves on our loyal, vocal fanbase. It has always been one of the things I am proudest of about the club, but I must take objection at the barracking of Lee Hodges.
Here are the facts; Hodges was a truly great player for us at a time when we were a mediocre team. Lee was, in his last season at GP, playing in his third choice position, the wrong side for him, and playing for a boss who was unsupportive of him. His form, admittedly, dropped (with good reason, I would say) and he was not offered another contract. He had no choice but to leave, and never criticised the club in any way, but spoke of his affection for it, in particular for the supporters.
He would have left last year, this is true, but that was when he seemed likely to go to a higher division club. It wouldn’t have been ideal, but you cannot restrict a player of such precocious talent, and I would have wished him well. This is natural progression for an exceptional lower division player, it is the reality of football and, as such, I still look out for the fortunes of Matt Elliot, Graham Alexander, Neil Cox, Chris Hope and a host of players who have moved onwards and upwards. I am proud that they played for us and, in no way, begrudge them taking the chance to prosper away from United. I would not disparage any of these players as a ‘money grabbing bastard’.
So why Hodges?
He is a ‘money grabbing bastard’ in the way that he, selfishly, needs to work to support a young family and didn’t even consider playing for us for free. But that is the only way I can see the insult stick. I don’t know the complexities of his Rochdale contract, but I can’t imagine he earns much more than he did at GP.
Face it, he left because there was no job with United, he wasn’t appreciated by his boss. Add to that the fact that he was one of the most exciting and talented players ever to ply his trade at Scunthorpe United Football Club, and you can see why I won’t be joining in with any singing of the nature of Saturday’s . Come on, we’re better than that…
Up The Iron
P.S. Apologies for the lack of any sort of humour in this article.