James Dodd, from Exeter, was with the academy from the under-9s before becoming making his Exeter City first-team debut in 2018 and remaining at the club until the age of twenty-one. After leaving City he joined Weston-super-Mare.  

James became a scholar/trainee in 2017 and signed a professional deal the following year. He first appeared for the first-team as a substitute against West Ham under-21s in the Football League Trophy on 25 September 2018. 

Following a series of injuries, James’s next first-team game was not until the League Cup tie against Wycombe Wanderers on 10 August 2021. This was followed by the EFL Trophy tie on 24 August 2021 against Chelsea under-21 This proved to be James’s final first-team appearance before his release in May 2022.

Aside from playing in Premier League Under-23 Cup matches, James spent most of the rest of the 2021/22 season on loan at Weston-super-Mare - along with Sonny Cox - helping the Somerset club reach the play-offs.

Released by City in May 2022, James soon signed permanently for Weston and was a key player as the club returned to National League South by winning the Southern League in 2023. He remained contracted for the 2023/24 season.