Alan Hudson

One of the most colourful players of the 1970s, Hudson was raised near London’s fashionable King’s Road area and joined his local club Chelsea, making his debut in 1969 aged just 17. Unfortunately for Hudson, Chelsea found themselves on the end of a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Southampton that day!

A talented midfield creator, Hudson provided the ammunition for strikers Peter Osgood and Charlie Cooke and enjoyed six successful years at the club, winning the European Cup-Winners' Cup and finishing as losing League Cup finalists in 1972 – against Stoke. In 1974, he left Chelsea for Stoke for £240,000 and proved to be an instant hit at the Victoria Ground under manager Tony Waddington, but was on the move again – this time to Arsenal – in December of 1976 when Stoke found themselves in financial difficulties.

Hudson was again a Wembley loser, this time in the 1978 FA Cup final against Ipswich, and following spells in the USA and Spain he returned to Chelsea in 1983, but illness and injury robbed him of the chance of making a second debut. Not at Stoke, however, where he returned in 1984 to help the club avoid relegation from the First Division.

Hudson’s life post-football saw him battle alcoholism and bankruptcy, while also suffering terrible injuries in a car crash, from which he has fortunately made an impressive recovery.

Hudson was banned from international football for a time after refusing to tour with the England Under-23 side, but boss Don Revie selected him for the full international side in 1975. He put in a memorable debut performance as England beat World Cup holders West Germany 2-0, but despite then featuring in a 5-0 win against Cyprus, Revie only selected him on those two occasions.