Geelong local footy clubs band together for Brian ‘Gorby’ Hodgkins after serious spinal injury

The Geelong local footy community has banded together for long-time stalwart Brian Hodgkins after a significant fall.

A fundraiser has been set up for club stalwart Brian Hodgkins.

Five local clubs from across the region are rallying behind local footy stalwart Brian ‘Gorby’ Hodgkins after a serious spinal injury.

Hodgkins, 71, underwent spinal surgery after a significant fall before Christmas and may spend another six months in hospital.

‘Gorby’, as he is affectionately known, has dedicated 55 years to local footy in the region, fulfilling various roles at Leopold, North Geelong, Queenscliff, St Albans and Newcomb.

One of the highlights was a reserves premiership with the Lions in 1988.

“He is very much a club and people orientated individual, loves his football so much and it is a really important part of who he is,” Newcomb president Matthew Farrow said.

Newcomb Football Netball Club, where Hodgkins has helped their reserves on and off the field for the past year, created a GoFundMe to raise funds for his medical costs and his family’s accommodation expenses in Melbourne.

More than half of the $14,000 target has been raised since the fundraiser was created on Monday night.

Originally published as Geelong local footy clubs band together for Brian ‘Gorby’ Hodgkins after serious spinal injury