We were very sad to hear of the passing of our former player John Coddington (SCAN 728), who died on August 9th 2023 at the age of 85.
An experienced centre half, John was signed from Blackburn Rovers by manager Walter Galbraith, at the half way point of the 1969-70 3rd Division season, with County desperately trying to avoid relegation. His signing was connected to the deal that saw Freddie Goodwin move in the opposite direction. He made his debut v Southport at Edgeley Park on 10th January 1970 and made 13 appearances that season.
Sadly he wasn’t able to turn the tide of a disastrous season that saw County relegated with a record low number of points (23), with the Hatters scoring only 27 goals in the 46 games campaign.
The following season he was an almost ever present member of the team that saw County finish in 11th place in the 4th Division, a position not beaten by another County side until Danny Bergara’s play off side, almost twenty years later in 1989-90. Towards the end of the season, John moved to Great Harwood Town ending a Football League career that began at Huddersfield Town where he was a commanding centre half playing over 350 games, before signing for Blackburn Rovers in 1967.
He later played in Ireland for Drogheda, before coaching at Bradford City and Middlesbrough, where he was assistant to manager Jack Charlton. He later became a publican in the Middlesbrough area.
His son Matthew had a trial for County in August 1992.
In total John played 54 times for County and is remembered as a strong and committed centre half during his time at Edgeley Park. Our thoughts are with John’s family and friends at this very sad time.
