Background
Dodds was born and brought up in Dundee and started his playing career at Celtic Boys Club, aged 9.
Dodds was born and brought up in Dundee and started his playing career at Celtic Boys Club, aged 9.
During his playing career, he scored over 100 League goals, and earned two Scotland caps. However, at the age of 14 he signed schoolboy forms with local club Dundee United. Developing into a promising striker, he turned professional with United in 1975, but was initially part-time while also serving an apprenticeship as a painter and decorator.
Dundee United
Dodds made his first team debut for United against Arbroath in 1976, but it took several years for him to fully establish himself as a first team regular.
During the 1977-1978 season, he played several games for Arbroath on loan, and shortly afterwards he signed a full-time contract with the Tannadice club Dundee United at this time were developing into one of the strongest sides in Scotland.
Despite playing in some of the earlier rounds, Dodds missed out on the Scottish League Cup final in 1979 when the club lifted their first ever major trophy, but the following year he was part of the side that defeated city rivals Dundee in the final to retain the cup. He scored United"s first goal in a 3–0 victory at Dundee"s Dens Park ground.
In 1982-1983 they were part of the United side that lifted the Scottish League title for the first time, with Dodds contributing 22 goals.
The following season saw Dodds star in the club"s run to the European Cup semi-finals. Despite this run of success, Dodds was becoming unsettled at Dundee United. Despite the efforts of manager Jim McLean to keep the player at Tannadice, he left the club at the end of his contract in 1986.
Later career
United received a fee of £180,000.
However, personal problems led to the player seeking a move back to Scotland within months, and he was soon signed for Aberdeen by Alex Ferguson. As he moved into his thirties, he was featuring in the Dons" first team only infrequently, but then he was signed for Rangers, reigning Scottish champions and Dodds" boyhood favourites.
The move was surprising given that Rangers manager Graeme Souness had previously likened Dodds to a basketball player when he played against them for Aberdeen. Having been brought to Ibrox primarily as squad cover, Dodds played only a small number of first team matches, sometimes filling in in defence or midfield, before retiring from playing in 1991.
After retiring as a player, Dodds was appointed to Rangers" coaching staff (as first team coach) and continued to be employed there until 1997.
After parting company with the club he decided not to seek further employment in football coaching. Dundee United
Scottish League Premier Division: 1982-1983
Scottish League Cup: 1980-1981
Scottish Cup runners up 1980-1981, 1984-1985.
