in both legs of the Trophy semi-final, which St Albans lost 4–3 on aggregate. In the 1999 close season he became manager Garry Hill's first signing for Dagenham & Redbridge, soon to be followed by Payne. Awarded the captaincy, Bodley led his players to the Isthmian League title, and with it promotion to the Conference National; they lost only five games all season, and finished the campaign with ten successive victories. Canvey Island At the end of the season he signed for Canvey Island, and contributed to their reaching the second round of the FA Cup in his first season. Doubtful for the first-round match at home to Port Vale because of a groin injury, Bodley declared himself fit, played 90 minutes in the tie which ended 4–4 draw, and played 120 minutes in the replay as Canvey won 2–1 after extra time to set themselves up a local derby with Southend United. Bodley, one of eight former Southend players on Canvey's books, would miss it through suspension, though the club enquired whether the game might be moved to the Friday to allow him to take part; as the venue was already booked that night for a carol concert, the match was played as scheduled, and Canvey lost 2–1. That same season, Bodley played as Canvey won the FA Trophy, defeating Forest Green Rovers 1–0 at Villa Park to become the first side from below the Conference to win the Trophy for 20 years. Postponements because of cup success and bad weather caused fixture congestion at the end of the 2001–02 season, leaving Bodley facing a schedule of seven games in nine days combined with having to get up at 4:30am for work as a postman. Bodley underwent a knee operation in November 2001 which kept him out for several weeks, then in March 2002 he damaged a tendon which put an end to his season and effectively meant his retirement. Personal life When Bodley left professional football he worked as a postman. He is married with daughters. References External links 1967 births Living people Footballers from Hayes, Hillingdon English footballers Association football central defenders Chelsea F.C. players Northampton Town F.C. players Barnet F.C. players Southend United F.C. players Gillingham F.C. players Birmingham City F.C. players Peterborough United F.C. players St Albans City F.C. players Dagenham & Redbridge F.C. players Canvey Island F.C. players English Football League players National League