LSSC legends: Jason Dodd

Jason Dodd represented Southampton a total 499 times – it would surely have been many more but for periods at either end of his career when he was unfairly dropped; Chris Nicholl used Jeff Kenna and Barry Horne for a period of time after Dodd had seemingly established himself in the first team. In the latter part of the relegation year of 2004/05, Harry Redknapp rarely saw fit to draw upon his services and he was never given the opportunity to say goodbye to the Saints fans – as a player.
But for many years, the right-back place was Dodd’s own; having said that he regularly appeared as a centre-back or defensive midfielder with many of his appearances as Captain.

September/October 2010 – Jason Dodd
Jason Dodd was signed from non-league Bath City, his home town club in 1989 as an 18 year old and joined Dave Merrington’s second year trainees but was promoted to professional status a matter of weeks later. His transfer fee was just £15,000 – what a bargain that turned out to be!
Saints fans were given their first glimpse of the young full-back when, making his debut against Liverpool at The Dell, he had been given the unenviable task of marking John Barnes. Not only did he not only completely snuff out the efforts of the England winger but found enough time to supply a perfect cross for Paul Rideout’s opening goal in a momentous 4-1 win – Dodd’s career could not have got off to a better start.

Despite Chris Nicholl’s early reservations, Dodd soon established himself as Saints’ regular right-back and before long he was representing England under-21 – winning 8 caps.
All but a handful of Dodd’s first-class appearances were made in the top-flight of the English League.
He was due to retire at the end of the 2004/05 season, during which he spent time on loan at Plymouth Argyle; however, after his contract expired with Southampton he left to join Brighton. He made only seven appearances for Brighton during his year at the club due to injury.
In July 2006 he joined Conference South team Eastleighon a free transfer, to play alongside former Saints colleague, Francis Benali. A recurrence of his ankle injury prevented him playing after the first three games of the 2006/07 season, and he retired from playing in November 2006 and was appointed head coachof Eastleigh.
The following month he replaced manager Paul Doswell, who had became Director of Football, as Eastleigh’s manager, but resigned in July 2007 to be replaced by David Hughes.