Real name: Alexander Mutch, Cody joined up at Pittodrie in 1906 but had to play second fiddle to the well established Rab MacFarlane making only a handful of appearances in his first couple of seaons. MacFarlane moved on at the end of the 1907/08 season and Mutch took over as regular keeper for the next two seasons, proving to be a larger than life character, always willing to have a joke with the crowd, as well as being a very good goalie. When he moved on at the end of season 1909/10 the local press were somewhat bemused:
"A good deal of surprise has been expressed at the departure of Mutch from Aberdeen. Had "Cody" gone to any club of repute in England, it would have occasioned little comment; but to go to Huddersfield - a club in the Midland League, where he will never be heard of - looks ridiculous for a player of Mutch's calibre. However, he has taken the plunge on his own, and Aberdeen lose a good keeper."
Cody's move to Huddersfield turned out to be controversial and Aberdeen maintained that since Huddersfield had been promoted into the English senior ranks they were breaking the rules by signing the player. The issue went to the International Football League Board and ultimately Aberdeen were paid a "substantial sum" in compensation while Mutch remained with Huddersfield.
Source: Aberdeen Daily Journal, 18th August 1910
Source: Bon-Accord, 5th May 1910
It turned out that the Bon-Accord reservations about Cody's move were unfounded as Huddersfield Town were a club on the move and about to enter the Football League. As to Cody himself, his career developed thus:
Known as "Sandy" once he moved south (and, indeed, before he joined Aberdeen from Inverurie Locos), Mutch became Huddersfield Town's first choice goalkeeper throughout his time at Leeds Road, a career that spanned the First World War.
He moved from Pittodrie in May 1910 with a £400 transfer fee coming north. His debut in English football was in Huddersfield's first-ever League fixture and he never looked back. Mutch was an able and consistent goalkeeper and his abilities made him a key regular in the team which won promotion to Division One and found its way to the FA Cup Final in 1919.
In April 1920 Mutch received £794 in the club's first benefit. Two years later he displaced Edwin Davis in the FA Cup semi-final and went on to gain a winners medal in the Huddersfield Town v Preston North End Cup Final at Stamford Bridge. This turned out to be one of the last of his 229 appearances for the club.
In July 1922 Mutch moved to Newcastle United for £850 and, although he was almost 38, he was thrown in against Everton and quickly became a popular figure with the Newcastle supporters. He made 43 league and cup appearances for the club before a knee injury saw him miss the 1925 Cup Final success over Aston Villa. Not long after he retired from playing and, after carrying out some coaching duties, took on the job of groundsman at St James' Park, finally retiring in 1958. He lived in Newcastle until his death at the age of 82, in September 1967. His son Alex junior, was also with Newcastle United, as physiotherapist, until the mid 1980s.
"The tangle which Mutch, has placed himself in will likely be brought up, this, week at the meeting of the International League Board. Nor is Mutch the only player which Huddersfield are in trouble over. Stoke and one or two others are kicking up a dust as to Huddersfield's actions, and whatever way the players have to go, the club will not get off scot-free.
Mutch is signed for Huddersfield, and Aberbeen have complained that this was done contrary to rule. The F.A. have not yet decided on the case, though the evidence has been in their possession for some time. Till the decision is arrived at, the league can hardly interfere, though they may discuss a way out of the difficulty, assuming that Huddersfield get off with a caution from the F.A. There will be some fun before a settlement is arrived at; as the complications are great, and require some studying."
Source: Bon-Accord, 4th August 1910
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