Oral History Interview: Richard Dodds

Partial Transcript: DODDS: Okay, well I'm Richard Dodds and my date of birth is the 23rd February 1959.

Segment Synopsis: Dodds introduces himself and states his date of birth for the record.

Keywords: Date of birth

Partial Transcript: DODDS: An--and I started in hockey really because my Dad played and my brother, I've got a brother who's four years older so I probably started when I went to prep school of about the age of seven.

Segment Synopsis: Dodds recalls how, inspired by his family, he took up hockey at school and progressed to junior international level. He goes on to discuss his rise to senior international level whilst at university.

Keywords: "The Cage"; Belgium; Brother; Cambridge University; England; Father; Germany; Hockey Stick; Home Internationals Series; Ireland; Kingston Grammar School; Kingston--United Kingdom (UK); Netherlands; Richard Leman; School; Scotland; Wales; Winnington Park Hockey Club

Subjects: Education and Schooling; Life Outside of Hockey--Family; Recollection of Others--Player; Teams--Boys--International; Teams--Boys--School; Teams--Boys--Territory; Tournaments--International; Tournaments--Junior

Partial Transcript: DODDS: In my first year in Cambridge I got, er, my first caps for England Seniors.

Segment Synopsis: Dodds recalls breaking into the England senior team whilst at university and his first matches for his country. He discusses his subsequent selection for the Great Britain training squad building up to the Moscow 1980 Olympic Games.

Keywords: Belgium; Bombay--India; Brussels--Belgium; Cambridge University; England; Football (Soccer); Germany; Great Britain; Heysel Disaster; Heysel Stadium; International Match; Ireland; Liverpool Football Club; Mumbai--India; Olympics/Olympic Games; Scotland; Selection; Wales; World Cup; Yugoslavia; Zagreb--Croatia

Subjects: Hockey Homes, Venues & Stadia; Olympic Games--1980 Moscow; Politics; Teams--Men--International; Teams--Non-hockey; World Cup--Men--1982 Bombay

Partial Transcript: DODDS: Er, but GB then didn't actually make the selection for 1984 Los Angeles. They were the first reserves.

Segment Synopsis: Dodds recalls the build up to the Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Games. He discusses how the political fallout from the Soviet-Afghan War lead to Great Britain being called up as first reserve and the last minute training the team had to undertake.

Keywords: Afghanistan; European Nations Championship/EuroHockey Nations Championship; Great Britain; Los Angeles--United States of America (USA); Olympic Qualifiers; Olympics/Olympic Games; Opening Ceremony; Pan American Games; Reserve; Russia; Soviet Union (USSR); Soviet–Afghan War; United States of America (USA)

Subjects: Amateurism & Professionalism; Life Outside of Hockey--Career; Olympic Games--1984 Los Angeles; Politics; Teams--Men--International; Tournaments--International; Training & Conditioning--International

Partial Transcript: DODDS: The other very significant thing that happened at, just prior to that tournament was Ian Taylor deciding that he would lie down to defend corners.

Segment Synopsis: Dodds discusses how Ian Taylor embraced a new style of goalkeeping at the Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Games.

Keywords: Goalkeeper; Ian Taylor; Olympics/Olympic Games; Penalty Corner; Roger Self

Subjects: Kit & Equipment; Olympic Games--1984 Los Angeles; Recollection of Others--Coach & Manager; Recollection of Others--Player; Teams--Men--International; Tournaments--International

Partial Transcript: SOMERVILLE: And how did you get through the tournament?
DODDS: We actually did really well in that tournament.

Segment Synopsis: Dodds recalls Great Britain's progress through the Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Games. He recalls specific matches, particularly, Great Britain Manager Roger Self's impact on the bronze medal match against Australia and scoring his first international goal.

Keywords: Australia; BBC; Brian Clough; Bronze Medal; Bronze Medal Match; Canada; European Cup; European Nations Championship/EuroHockey Nations Championship; Football (Soccer); Goal; Ian Taylor; International Match; Kenya; Los Angeles--United States of America (USA); Netherlands; Olympics/Olympic Games; Pakistan; Party; Paul Barber; Penalty Corner; Roger Self; Sean Kerly; Semi-final; Sir Alex Ferguson; West Germany; World Cup

Subjects: Awards--Hockey Recognition; Olympic Games--1984 Los Angeles; Recollection of Others--Coach & Manager; Recollection of Others--Player; Social & Friendships; Teams--Men--International; Tournaments--International

Partial Transcript: DODDS: The, you know, the next, the next big tournament was the '86 World Cup in London so a home World Cup. You know, what a great thing to, to take part in.

Segment Synopsis: Dodds discusses the London 1986 World Cup in London reminiscing on specific matches and England's Silver Medal success. He also recalls the electric atmosphere of the Willesden stadium.

Keywords: Amsterdam--Netherlands; Australia; Bombay--India; Bronze Medal; Cricket; England; Extra Time; Final; Goal; Great Britain; International Match; London--United Kingdom (UK); Mumbai--India; Penalty Corner; Semi-final; Silver Medal; Wagener Stadium (Amstelveen); West Germany; Willesden Sports Centre; World Cup

Subjects: Hockey Homes, Venues & Stadia; Olympic Games--1984 Los Angeles; Teams--Men--International; Tournaments--International; World Cup--Men--1986 London

Partial Transcript: SOMERVILLE: So that was the World Cup in '86...
DODDS: Yeah.
SOMERVILLE: ...And then was, was there any other major tournament, Europeans or anything [indistinguishable]?

Segment Synopsis: Dodds recalls reaching the Final of the Moscow 1987 EuroHockey Nations Championship with England.

Keywords: Billy McConnell/William McConnell; England; European Nations Championship/EuroHockey Nations Championship; Final; Goalkeeper; Ireland; Jimmy Kirkwood; Moscow--Russia; Netherlands; Penalty Stroke; Sam Martin/Stephen Martin; Scotland; Silver Medal; Veryan Pappin

Subjects: Recollection of Others--Player; Teams--Men--International; Tournaments--International

Partial Transcript: SOMERVILLE: Did that spur you on to the Olympics then, yes?

Segment Synopsis: Dodds recounts his memories of the Seoul 1988 Olympic Games where Great Britain won the Gold Medal. he discusses how the consistent medal successes at international tournaments prior to Seoul, both with England and Great Britain, gave the team a strong belief in their own ability. He fondly recalls the Olympic Village, notable matches from the group and knock-out stages and the celebrations that followed the team's success.

Keywords: AstroTurf/Artificial Turf; Athletics; Australia; Bronze Medal; Canada; Champions Trophy; Concussion; England; European Nations Championship/EuroHockey Nations Championship; Final; Floris Jan Bovelander; Germany; Goal; Gold Medal; Great Britain; Hat Trick; Heathrow Airport; India; International Match; London--United Kingdom (UK); Los Angeles--United States of America (USA); Moscow--Russia; Netherlands; Olympic Village; Olympics/Olympic Games; Party; Penalty Corner; Russia; Said Aouita; Schedule; Sean Kerly; Semi-final; Seoul--South Korea; Silver Medal; South Korea; Speech; Stefan Blocher; Stefan Edberg; West Germany; Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships; World Cup

Subjects: Fitness & Injury; Olympic Games--1984 Los Angeles; Olympic Games--1988 Seoul; Recollection of Others--Non-hockey Athlete; Recollection of Others--Player; Social & Friendships; Teams--Men--International; Teams--Women--International; Tournaments--International; World Cup--Men--1986 London

Partial Transcript: SOMERVILLE: Sean came back the real 'Golden Boy', erm, and became the face of hockey; was there any resentment from any of the rest of the squad for that or?

Segment Synopsis: Dodds reflects on the adulation heaped on Sean Kerly following the Gold Medal success in the Seoul 1988 Olympic Games. He then goes on to reflect on the team more generally and recounts a team reunion in 1988.

Keywords: Ego; Goal; Olympics/Olympic Games; Sean Kerly

Subjects: Olympic Games--1988 Seoul; Recollection of Others--Player; Reunion; Social & Friendships

Partial Transcript: DODDS: ...'gether.
SOMERVILLE: Did you all carry on playing after Seoul?

Segment Synopsis: Dodds discusses his international retirement and recalls how he continued to play club hockey for one final season because of his determination to play in the inaugural National League. He briefly recalls his frustration at only winning a European Bronze Medal during his club career. Dodds goes on to explain how came out of retirement to play for Reading Hockey Club and details his involvement in veterans hockey.

Keywords: Bloemendaal Hockey Club; Bronze Medal; European Club Championship/EuroHockey Club Championship; Germany; Hockey Association Cup; Ian Taylor; London League; Mulheim Hockey Club; National League; Netherlands; Paul Barber; Reading Hockey Club; Southgate Hockey Club; Umpire

Subjects: Awards--Hockey Trophies; Life Outside of Hockey--Retirement; Social & Friendships; Teams--Men--Club; Teams--Men--Masters & Veterans; Tournaments--Club

Partial Transcript: SOMERVILLE: Yes.
DODDS: [laughs]
SOMERVILLE: How do you feel about the new rules?
DODDS: I think the game's fantastic.

Segment Synopsis: Dodds warmly and enthusiastically discusses the rule changes within hockey though he takes umbrage with the use of rolling substitutes.

Keywords: Defender; Football (Soccer); Obstruction; Offside; Penalty Shootout; Reverse Stick (Tomahawk); Rugby; Self-pass; Substitute

Subjects: Fitness & Injury; Rules; Teams--Men--Masters & Veterans

Partial Transcript: SOMERVILLE: What about administration of the game?

Segment Synopsis: Dodds recalls his administration career with the British Olympic Association (BOA) and Great Britain Hockey. He reflects on how these responsibilities conflicted with his career as surgeon.

Keywords: British Olympic Association (BOA); Chairperson; Consultant; Fracture; Great Britain Hockey; Olympics/Olympic Games; Royal Berkshire Hospital; Surgeon

Subjects: Administration & Finances--National; Associations--National; Fitness & Injury; Life Outside of Hockey--Career; Olympic Games--1992 Barcelona

Partial Transcript: SOMERVILLE: What's your fondest memory from your illustrious hockey career?

Segment Synopsis: Dodds recounts the achievement of winning the Gold Medal at the Seoul 1988 Olympic Games with particular reference to the medal ceremony.

Keywords: Gold Medal; Medal Ceremony; National Anthem; Olympics/Olympic Games

Subjects: Olympic Games--1988 Seoul; Teams--Men--International; Tournaments--International

Partial Transcript: SOMERVILLE: What about the friendships you've made? You said you weren't always great mates off the pitch although good teammates on the pitch.

Segment Synopsis: Dodds discusses on his friendships within hockey reflecting, through anecdotes, on the camaraderie born of shared experiences.

Keywords: Alcohol; Australia; Barcelona--Spain; De Batavieren Hockey Club; England; European Nations Championship/EuroHockey Nations Championship; Friendly Match; Germany; Marc Benninga; Netherlands; Olympics/Olympic Games; Ric Charlesworth/Richard Charlesworth; Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG); Sydney--Australia; Was Good Once Hockey Team

Subjects: Captaincy; Hockey Homes, Venues & Stadia; Recollection of Others--Player; Social & Friendships; Teams--Men--Club; Teams--Men--International; Teams--Men--Masters & Veterans; Teams--Men--Touring; Tournaments--International

Partial Transcript: SOMERVILLE: Any regrets?
DODDS:Ah, the, er--I, I'll tell you what I regret is that I've got seven female cousins and I didn't attend any of their weddings because I was playing.

Segment Synopsis: Dodds recounts his biggest regret reflecting on hockey's impact on his family relationships. He also speaks of his children's involvement in sport.

Keywords: Athletics; Aunt; Cousin; Daughter; Doctor; Golf; London--United Kingdom (UK); Marriage; Netball; Spencer Hockey Club; St Georges Hospital; Tennis

Subjects: Life Outside of Hockey--Career; Life Outside of Hockey--Family--Adulthood; Teams--Women--Club