Former Plymouth Argyle and Torquay United player and manager Kevin Hodges is understood to being lined up as an assistant to caretaker manager Steve Thompson at Huish Park. The club have yet to announce who is in the shortlist for such a position, should Thommo get the nod for the job, however Hodges has become the main name on the rumourmill as the most likely candidate to provide the assistant role in a new management team.
Hodges has been First Team manager at the Hand Stadium since October 2004, where he currently has Clevedon Town top of the Southern League Division One West, having lost just one match this season. He also holds the title of Somerset FA Football Development Officer, which he held prior to his arrival at the Hand Stadium and has continued thereafter.
Kevin's association with the Hand Stadium predates 2004, as in his FA role, he presented the club with an FA Community Club Award, for the club's commitment to the development of youth football. As such they became the first non-league club in the South-West to receive such an accolade and the first club at any level in Somerset. The set-up at the Hand Stadium is geared towards improving local community relations with the club, and to provide coaching for girls and boys of all ages. As such Kevin's pedigree and experience in promoting Youth Development would be seen as a major asset to the Glovers.
Kevin was born in Bridport, Dorset in June 1960 and made his Football League debut for Plymouth Argyle, after serving his apprenticeship at Home Park, in 1978, going on to make a record 530 league appearances for the Pilgrims before leaving in 1992 to join near neighbours, Torquay United. He was then appointed manager of the Gulls in 1996 and stayed in the post for two years before taking the managerial reigns at Plymouth Argyle. He left that post in 2000 and eventually became a scout for Wolves and the Somerset FA's Football Development Manager.
It seems likely that Thommo's association with Kevin dates back to living in Saltash and playing for Torquay United during the period that Hodges was playing for both Devon clubs. Kevin is believed to currently live in Crewkerne, meaning that relocation would almost certainly not be necessary.
The club have yet to schedule any announcement concerning Thommo's future position at the club, however it would appear that only a major surprise would prevent the long serving assistant from assuming the first team manager position.
Comment on this News Item on Facebook
or Go back to Top of Page
|
6 October 2005 : 
