Martin Hodgson

Who was Martin Hodgson?

Martin Hodgson born in Egremont, Cumberland, was an English rugby league footballer of the 1920s and '30s. He was, without doubt, one of the game's greatest ever second-row forwards and represented Great Britain, England, and Cumberland on many occasions, and also toured Australasia in 1932 and 1936 with the Great Britain tourists.

A goal-kicking Second-row-forward, Hodgson signed for Swinton in January 1927 aged 17. He still holds the long distance penalty goal record with a kick of 77¾ yards for Swinton against Rochdale Hornets at the Athletic Grounds, Rochdale in April, 1940.

Martin Hodgson is the only British forward to appear in five Ashes-winning squads, between 1929 and 1937. He won caps for England while at Swinton in 1928 against Wales, in 1929 against Other Nationalities, in 1932 against Wales, in 1935 against France, in 1936 against Wales, France, in 1937 against France, and won caps for Great Britain while at Swinton in 1929-30 against Australia, in 1932 against Australia, New Zealand, in 1933 against Australia, in 1936 against Australia, New Zealand, and in 1937 against Australia.