Martin Hodgson

Martin Hodgson (26 March 1909 – 1991) was an English rugby league footballer who played in the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s. 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.

Born in Egremont, Cumberland, Hodgson signed for Swinton in January 1927 aged 17. He became a goal-kicking second-row forward. Swinton reached the final of the 1927 Lancashire Cup and Hodgson played in their victory over Wigan in the final. During the 1929–30 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain Hodgson played at second-row forward in the 2nd and 3rd Ashes series Test matches.

During the 1933–34 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain Hodgson played at second-row forward in all three Ashes series Test matches. In April 1940 at a match for Swinton against Rochdale Hornets at the Athletic Grounds, Rochdale, Hodgson set the long distance penalty goal record with a kick of 77.75 yards (71.09 m) in (This record is disputed. Arthur Atkinson of Castleford kicked a penalty goal from 75-yards in the 20-10 victory over St. Helens at Knowsley Road, St. Helens on Saturday 26 October 1929). Swinton reached the final of the 1940 Lancashire Cup and Hodgson played in their victory over Widnes in the final.