Non-League footballer reveals new boots were behind viral goal

By James Reid

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

Hodges scooped the award for his outrageous long-distance effort that saw the midfielder score from the edge of his own box to seal a 3-1 win over Dorchester Town at the end of April.

The goal was viewed thousands of times online, as the ball slowly trickled across the line with the Dorchester ‘keeper in the other box attacking a free-kick.

The 30-year-old insisted it was more than simply a big clearance up the pitch with the clocking ticking into added time but admitted he may have to share some of the credit with captain Simon Dunn.

“It was a bit of a weird and wonderful one,” said Hodges. “They still had an outside chance of the play-offs so sent their goalkeeper up for a free-kick into our box.

“Our centre back Billy Upton has got up really well and headed it clear, it’s bounced on the edge of the box and I thought I may as well just boot it.

“I did try and keep it as central and decently hit as possible. I don’t think I’ve ever hit a ball so sweetly, it flew in the air for what seemed like forever, bounced into the box, hit the post and crept along the line. The place erupted, it’s a really good memory.

“My captain Simon Dunn had to lend me his boots before the game because my ones, after playing on the 3G all season, had just become too tattered to play in.

“They were slightly too big so I think the reason I just hit it was because I didn’t want to do too much in a pair of boots that weren’t mine and didn’t fit.

“I imagine I owe him a drink at least.”

Hodges’ audacious effort was honoured at the Non-League Paper’s National Game Awards in association with Isuzu at AFC Wimbledon’s Plough Lane, with Hodges’ trophy set to take pride of place on the midfielder’s mantlepiece.

And the 30-year-old is set to savour this individual accolade before switching his attention to next season’s task of helping Stoke challenge at the top end of the Pitching In Southern League Premier Division South.

“This is really cool. I was really proud, really taken aback,” he added. “All of us who play Non-League football are aware of the effects it can have on us as players, as managers, and the community and it can provide such wonderful moments and memories, and this is a nice little one just for myself.

“I’ve scored a few decent goals but if anybody was asked to describe a Paul Hodges goal they certainly wouldn’t describe that one, so it was quite a collector’s item for myself.

“The aim is 100% to be getting play-offs. I think we could have done it this season without a few injuries. We really did at times have 13-14 players out injured.

“We have got a new physio in to keep us healthy and injury free and if that comes to fruition, there’s no reason why we can’t be at the top end of the league.

“We got promoted in the most exciting way against Walton & Hersham and then really staked a claim in this league, so the only way is up.”

Equipped with a punchy turbo diesel engine, the multi-award-winning Isuzu D-Max pick-up is leading the charge. With towing capabilities of 3.5 tonnes, over one-tonne payload capacity, and Four-Wheel-Drive, our pick-ups are tough, strong, and built to go the distance.