ALAN Hodgkinson says that he has so many great memories from his 23 years at Sheffield United that it is unfair of him to single out just one.

The 75-year-old returns to Bramall Lane tomorrow – the club for whom he made 675 appearances.

“I played there for 19 seasons and when I finished, I was in charge of the reserve team for four years,” he said.

“It was 23 years that I was there as player and coach – a really big spell of a footballer’s life.

“Sheffield United were my roots. They put me on the path to becoming an international footballer. I travelled around the world with them.

“I shall always be indebted to the club for the things that they got me doing when I started.”

Hodgkinson says that it will be an emotional return.

“I have many outstanding memories there,” he said.

“I don’t look back for any one, the memory is my career there.

“I respect the club and will always be thankful that I did play for my local team.

“I was a supporter as a schoolboy and went on to play for my country – and I was probably the smallest guy to ever play in goal for England.

“I cannot say anything bad about Sheffield United.”

Hodgkinson says that it is sad to see his hometown club plying their trade in League One.

But the former England international says that it is now up to the people at the club to ensure that they return to what he feels is their rightful place.

“Nothing is absolutely secure in football any more – unless you’re a top team with all that money to spend to buy top players,” he said.

“Nobody has a right to be in the position they think you should be in.

“But I’m a Sheffield man and would like to see both sides from there in the Premier League.

“They are there because of circumstance and I know that everyone will be trying to get them back up the leagues.”