Read his remarkable story!
Goole Vikings winger Ben Hodder made history on in Sunday as he became the club’s first-ever amateur player to step up and make his professional debut - completing a remarkable personal journey after a life threatening accident.
Hodder’s debut came in the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup clash against Betfred Championship side Barrow Raiders on Sunday, a game that saw the Vikings test themselves against a higher-tier side.
But for the local debutant who has played the last seven years in the Yorkshire Men’s League with the club’s amateur squad, this was more than a challenge - it was the culmination of years of hard work to achieve a special moment that may never have been.
"It was amazing to make my debut for a team where I’ve spent the last seven years playing," Hodder said.
“It was a massive step up - physically and mentally, I’ve been pushed so hard by the coaches and my teammates, but they’ve all supported me through it.
“At first, I thought I’d make a mistake when I agreed to step up and that I wasn’t going to be good enough. But everyone has been great with me and helped me along the way, I have come on so much. To finally get my shot was incredible."
For Hodder, who comes from the same Pocklington school year group as Ben McNamara (Leigh) and Marcus Walker (Wynnum Manly), the path to this moment was anything but straightforward.
Just over two years ago, his rugby future was thrown into doubt after a near-fatal road accident that left him with a broken back.
In 2021, while cycling to work in Goole, he was hit by a van traveling at 60mph. The impact sent him flying over twenty metres off the road, smashing through a fence before landing in a ditch, away from the roadside and where he couldn’t be seen.
Unable to move, he dragged himself back into view to flag down help - after the driver had originally driven off believing they had hit a deer.
He was rushed to Hull Royal Infirmary, where scans revealed a fracture in his back, and he spent months in a back brace, wondering if his sporting aspirations were over.
"I wasn’t sure if I was going to play again after that. But weirdly, it had the opposite effect—I actually had a lot less fear and started pushing myself even harder,” Hodder admitted.
“I’ve loved my rugby more than ever since then. It made me so much more grateful because you never know what’s around the corner. That’s why I tell people—keep pushing and take your opportunities, work hard, and you can achieve anything."
Fast forward to 2025, and Hodder has not only returned to playing but has now made the leap into professional rugby. His relentless work ethic in pre-season didn’t go unnoticed by Vikings Head Coach Scott Taylor, who rewarded him with a well-earned call-up to the first-team squad.
What made the occasion even more special was the presence of his family, who had supported him every step of the way. Before kick-off, they were given the honour of presenting him with his debut jersey in an emotional moment that underlined just how far he had come.
"It was great having my family there and showing how much they’ve supported me through this.
“It was quite emotional being presented with my debut shirt! But what really meant a lot was so many friends making the effort to come down too—they’ve been with me on this journey, so it was brilliant to share it with them."
Hodder and his team mates are once again in action this Sunday, when Goole host Dewsbury Rams in Betfred League One.
