Norman Dodgin was in charge of Exeter City between 1953 and 1957. Recruited as player-manager, his best season at St James’ Park was his first and he eventually left the club with the arrival of a new chairman. His brother and nephew were both football managers.

Missing part of his career because of the war, he was twenty-five when he played the first of his eighty-odd league games for Newcastle United in 1947. Also appearing for Reading, the 31-year-old had been at Northampton Town when he became one of the youngest managers in the Football League on arriving at St James’ Park in April 1953.

Appointed after the Grecians’ attempt to recruit Tim Ward from Barnsley had been stymied by the Oakwell club, Norman made thirty league appearances during 1953/54 as he lifted City from 17th to 9th in Division Three (South) which represented the best finish for twenty years. Continuing to play during the next season, Mr Dodgin was unable to maintain the improvement and the next three seasons resulted in 22nd, 16th and 21st places.

With Albert Stanley Line arriving as chairman, Norman Dodgin - who enjoyed the support of the players right to the end - was dismissed in April 1957 as the new regime quickly moved to assert its authority and introduce new ideas. The departing manager went on to take charge of Yeovil Town, Barrow and Oldham Athletic over the next three years before becoming a newsagent. 

Norman Dodgin died in the Teignmbridge area in August 2000. He was the brother of Bill Dodgin, senior (manager of Southampton, Fulham, Brentford and Bristol Rovers) and uncle of Bill Dodgin, junior (boss of QPR, Fulham, Northampton Town and Brentford).