Amateur footballer reveals that new shoes are behind viral goal

By James Reid

Basingstoke viral star Paul Hodges revealed that ill-fitting football boots were the secret behind the Huck Nets' Goal of the Season award at the Non-League Paper's National Game Awards in association with Isuzu.

Hodges received the award for his incredible long-range strike, which saw the midfielder score from the edge of his own penalty area to secure a 3-1 win over Dorchester Town in late April.

The goal was viewed thousands of times online as the ball slowly rolled over the line while the Dorchester goalkeeper attempted a free kick in the other box.

The 30-year-old insisted it was more than just a great defensive move on the pitch as injury time ran out, but admitted he may have to share some of the credit with captain Simon Dunn.

“It was a strange and wonderful game,” said Hodges. “They had an outside chance of making the play-offs and they sent their goalkeeper into our box for a free kick.”

“Our centre-back Billy Upton stood up really well and headed the ball away. The ball bounced to the edge of the box and I thought I might as well just shoot it.

“I tried to keep the ball as central as possible and hit it well. I don't think I've ever hit a ball so well. It seemed to fly through the air for ages, bounced into the box, hit the post and crawled along the line. The place exploded, it's a really nice memory.

“My captain Simon Dunn had to lend me his boots before the game because mine were just too worn out to play in after playing on the 3G all season.

“They were a little big and I think the reason I just hit them was because I didn't want to do too much with a pair of boots that weren't mine and didn't fit.

“I guess I owe him at least a drink.”

Hodges' brave effort was recognised at the Non-League Paper's National Game Awards in association with Isuzu at AFC Wimbledon's Plough Lane and Hodges' trophy will take pride of place on the midfielder's mantelpiece.

And the 30-year-old will savour this individual accolade before turning his attention to next season's task of helping Stoke compete at the top of the pitch in the Southern League Premier Division South.

“It's really cool. I was really proud and really surprised,” he added. “All of us who play amateur football are aware of the impact it can have on us as players, as managers and on the community. It can create such wonderful moments and memories and this is a nice little thing just for myself.”

“I scored some good goals but if someone was asked to describe a Paul Hodges goal they certainly wouldn't describe this one so it was quite a collector's item for me.

“The goal is 100% to make the playoffs. I think we could have made it this season without a few injuries. In fact, 13-14 players were injured at times.

“We have a new physiotherapist who is keeping us healthy and injury-free and if that works, there is no reason why we can't compete at the top of the league.

“We got promoted in the most exciting way possible against Walton & Hersham and then made our name in this league, so things can only go up from here.”

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