13thsept04

Sodje proves League football isn't a bridge to far

AKPO SODJE, leading goalscorer at Southern League Division One East club Erith & Belvedere, scoring 20 goals last season, made his League debut for Huddersfield Town on Saturday, coming on as a substitute for Andy Booth four minutes from the end of the Terrieirs' 3-0 win at Port Vale, writes Stephen McCartney.

Sodje, who joined his brother Efe at the Yorkshire club, left the Deres earlier in the season.  However, no money changed hands but a sell-on clause was agreed.

Sodje thus becomes the first Deres player to move directly into League football since Tommy Ord, who signed for Chelsea in season 1972-73 and scored on his top-flight debut against Stoke City.

Sean Devine, who was with Erith & Belvedere for a 12-game spell in season 1994-95, progressed into League football with Wycombe Wanderers, but played for other club's before his move to Adams Park.

Sodje will do well to move in similar circles to Ord.  Although he wasn't a lasting success at Stamford Bridge, by 1976 he was playing for New York Cosmos alongside Brazilian legend Pele.