Alan Hudson

Alan Anthony Hudson (born 21 June 1951 in Chelsea, London) is a former English footballer.

Biography

Born and brought up near the King's Road, Hudson was rejected by boyhood club Fulham as a schoolboy before signing for Chelsea Juniors. Injury denied him the chance to become Chelsea's youngest ever player aged 16 and he eventually made his senior debut 9 months later on 1 February 1969 in a 5-0 loss against Southampton.

Hudson found himself in a Chelsea side noted for its flair and skill, complete with equally flamboyant footballers such as Peter Osgood and Charlie Cooke. It was during the 1969-70 season that he established himself as the team's playmaker, in the midfield of a 4-2-4 formation alongside John Hollins who was more defensive, creating goals for Osgood and Ian Hutchinson, and enabling Chelsea to finish 3rd in the First Division.

He played in every match in Chelsea's run to the FA Cup final in 1970, but missed the final itself due to another injury when they beat Leeds United 2-1 in a replay at Old Trafford, having drawn 2-2 at Wembley. He did, however, play a major role in Chelsea's replayed European Cup Winners' Cup final win against Real Madrid in Athens a year later.

The debt burden caused by the building of the then new East Stand at Chelsea resulted in the sale of key players, and a spiral of decline began. Chelsea lost 2-1 to Stoke City in the 1972 League Cup final at Wembley, whilst a falling-out with manager Dave Sexton resulted in both Hudson and Osgood...
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