MARK HUDSON SPEAKS OUT:SHOCKED/HURT/THEM & US

Cardiff City rebrand created 'them and us' division between players and fans - ex-skipper Mark Hudson speaks out


Tuesday 30 June 2015


By Steve Tucker

Hudson is first player to talk about the conflict Vincent Tan's switch to red caused saying: 'The change pulled the heart and soul out of the club'


Mark Hudson has spoken out about the rebrand and his departure from Cardiff City

Former skipper Mark Hudson, the first Bluebird to score in Cardiff City’s controversial red kit, has lifted the lid on Vincent Tan’s controversial rebrand of the Bluebirds and the effect it had on the players during 28 stormy months when fans revolted against the changes made.

And Hudson, who takes a swipe at former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for the way he was told he was no longer wanted at the club, admitted the changes made by Malaysian owner Tan in changing Cardiff’s traditional blue kit and bluebird badge “pulled the heart and soul out of the club”.

'Really difficult'
Hudson became the first Cardiff player to score in the red shirt when his injury-time strike gave the Bluebirds a 1-0 win over Huddersfield at the Cardiff City Stadium in August 2012.

And though the Bluebirds would go on to fulfil their Premier League dream at the end of the 2012-13 campaign, in an interview with the Built on Sloper Rd podcast, Hudson admitted the rebrand had destroyed the cherished traditions at the capital club.



“It was really difficult, I’ve got to be honest, the owner had put a lot of money into the club,” said Hudson.



Mark Hudson on the effect of the rebrand:


“He saw it as his club because he has invested all that money, he feels he can do what he wants. But from a fans’ point of view, someone who has followed the club in blue as a Bluebird for so many years, the change pulled the heart and soul out of the club. You can understand where the fans are coming from. To have a red kit suddenly and change the badge, it’s unheard of in football really.

“There was a lot of superstition behind it from the owner’s point of view and we went and got promoted, but it just does not sit well with the fans that you have changed, as I said, the heart and soul of the club. I could understand completely where they were coming from.



'We were completely shocked'
“As for us players, it was something we were completely shocked by, but we tried not to let it affect us because we still have to go out and do our jobs. It took the focus of the fans away from what we were trying to do on the pitch. It was like it was them and us, which was a real disappointment.

“I’m over the moon for the fans and the club to be going back to blue. They deserve to be in that blue kit and I’ve seen the new one and it’s good. It’s good on the owner’s part as well that he’s open enough to make that decision to go back to blue. Whatever happened before, you have to respect him now that he’s gone back.”



Defender Hudson, a firm favourite in the Welsh capital, also took a swipe at Malky Mackay’s successor in the managerial hotseat, Solskjaer, accusing the Norwegian of lacking respect after being told he was bringing another centre-half in and that he could leave in front of all of the other Bluebirds players on the training pitch.

After a summer of doubts about his future, Hudson was told to find a new club in public just days before the transfer window was due to close.

It was a shocking end to more than five years in the Welsh capital which saw Hudson make 165 appearances for the Bluebirds and become the man to finally lead them into the Premier League.

Staying or going?
“It was a bit of a strange pre-season to be honest. I went back to the club for the new season,” said 33-year-old Hudson.

“I was fit and ready to go and then Ole pulled me in and said I’m looking at the possibility of bringing in replacements, if there is something that suits you and your family then you are free to go. We went Austria seven days later and then in Austria he was saying I can’t afford to let you go, I’ve realised what you are like around everyone and the level of respect they have for you. I really think you are going to be an integral part. We want you to stay and anyone who has phoned us about you we have turned away.



Mark Hudson on his departure from Cardiff City:


"So I thought, well, that’s fine, that’s OK. A week later I was told I was going, then again I was told I was not going. It came to the Friday before the transfer window shut on the Monday, September 1. The day before Fulham and then Ole told me, in the middle of the pitch, in front of everyone, ‘Oh, we are trying to get another centre-half in, you can go.

“I’d like to think I deserved a bit more respect than that. But I’ve been in football a long time, so I kind of had a feeling what was going on behind the scenes. I’d tried to contact Ole earlier in the week, because I’d heard things, but there was no answer.




'There was not even a thank you'
"I just waited for the conversation I thought was coming. I did think that might be in private, but it was actually in the middle of the pitch whilst a training session was going on, which was a bit of a shock and a bit of a letdown if I’m honest.

“You don’t want to be told like that when you have been there so long and you are told to go and do what you want, that you are no longer needed. There was not even a thank you."

Its a shame he left like that and Ole just didn't have a clue what he was doing we didn't need another defender and goes spends 4 mill on Morrison ffs.

Hudson is first player to talk about the conflict Vincent Tan's switch to red caused saying: 'The change pulled the heart and soul out of the club'

100% True.

But there are few on here, that still today this day dont agree with this

Definitely deserved better then that,he really became a rock that the team was formed on. Think we would have been tighter at the back in the Premier League, he didn't have much pace but he seemed to read the game well and got some good blocks in.

Cardiff are sorely missing the personalities like this. Hudson makes Bluebirds fans proud he represented the club

I'd swap a 33 year old Hudson for Morrison any time Huddersfield wanted

Which is why Tan should go. However, because money talks and the world is full of people who only care about money now, people will disregard a true leader, captain and passionate bluebird like Hudson who gave us years of service, and will instead state that we should just move on. Sorry, but Tan's actions did rip the heart and soul out of the club and he needs to go for what he did. I will never forgive him, never move on from what he has done because I see him on all levels and an internal problem that will lead to great instability at the club for years to come.

A shame he had to go in the manner he did, we are lacking leaders in the squad and his experience could have been a great asset to the team. Why didn't Ole just lone him out?

He's also correct in regards to the rebranding, it just caused an unnecessary conflict between everyone one in the club.

Hudson has always appeared very proffesional, even through the carnival has been cardiff city over the last couple of years. the man deserves credit for his contribution to the club

Hudson is first player to talk about the conflict Vincent Tan's switch to red caused saying: 'The change pulled the heart and soul out of the club'

100% True.

But there are few on here, that still today this day dont agree with this

Agree 100%. I think a lot of those who had no respect for the true identity of the club were the glory hunters who suddenly appeared out of the woodwork as soon as we had a sniff of success. A lot have disappeared as quickly as they arrived now that we are not winning every week. A season or two of struggles, and most of the pro reds will be gone. Good to see our former captain appreciating the proud history of this club.

Ole what a f*cking joke of manager that guy is and by the sounds of it a prick too, between him and tan we were left in ruines.

Hudson deserved better than that. A lot better than that.

Credit should go to Big Steve for the interview. Macnaughton up next and then Chopra

That's shocking by OGS. Hope Hudson plays against us at home so we can give him a do the ayatollah for the last time.

Hudson is first player to talk about the conflict Vincent Tan's switch to red caused saying: 'The change pulled the heart and soul out of the club'

100% True.

But there are few on here, that still today this day dont agree with this

Agree 100%. I think a lot of those who had no respect for the true identity of the club were the glory hunters who suddenly appeared out of the woodwork as soon as we had a sniff of success. A lot have disappeared as quickly as they arrived now that we are not winning every week. A season or two of struggles, and most of the pro reds will be gone. Good to see our former captain appreciating the proud history of this club.

Steve, Yes many have suddenly disappeared,many now say they never accepted the Red,but a few still dont see what Tan did wrong.

At least now we are left with many True City Fans

Hudson speaks a lot of truth but what is scary is that people agree with the parts they want too and are blind to other parts like it was good to see TAN go back to blue and also that it was basically down to superstition etc he changed etc
But no let's drive him out and blame him for everything give him no credit for going back which again is very hard in his culture
I Ain't no Tan lover but I think I can give credit where credit is due and also big enough to forgive as long as he has the best in mind for cardiff
so let's just get behind the team manager and owner and see where the new season leads us

Hudson speaks a lot of truth but what is scary is that people agree with the parts they want too and are blind to other parts like it was good to see TAN go back to blue and also that it was basically down to superstition etc he changed etc
But no let's drive him out and blame him for everything give him no credit for going back which again is very hard in his culture
I Ain't no Tan lover but I think I can give credit where credit is due and also big enough to forgive as long as he has the best in mind for cardiff
so let's just get behind the team manager and owner and see where the new season leads us

I am grateful to Tan for stepping in and helping this club when there was some doubt over it's very existence. I don't think he is too concerned as to what is best for Cardiff though. He is a businessman, and I think his priority is what's best for himself. After all, he probably had barely heard of us before he got involved, and living on the other side of the world, I doubt if he is interested in us in any way other than financially. With his money, we were not much more than a bit of a gamble for him which looks not to have paid off. If I had his money and invested in a club in Malaysia, I wouldn't be interested in anything more than how much money it was making me, or as in our case, costing me.

Hudson is a model professional and a true leader and we've really missed him.

IMO he'll make a fantastic Manager, hopefully with Cardiff.

Hudson should never have left this club - end of. a leader we so missed.

Annis - its ok to pick out of that interview the negativity but Huds also states "It’s good on the owner’s part as well that he’s open enough to make that decision to go back to blue. Whatever happened before, you have to respect him now that he’s gone back".

That for me is it, we are blue now once again and no need to keep looking for the rebrand. We all want to move on, were back to blue so lets do that

Hudson is first player to talk about the conflict Vincent Tan's switch to red caused saying: 'The change pulled the heart and soul out of the club'

100% True.

But there are few on here, that still today this day dont agree with this

Agree 100%. I think a lot of those who had no respect for the true identity of the club were the glory hunters who suddenly appeared out of the woodwork as soon as we had a sniff of success. A lot have disappeared as quickly as they arrived now that we are not winning every week. A season or two of struggles, and most of the pro reds will be gone. Good to see our former captain appreciating the proud history of this club.

Steve, Yes many have suddenly disappeared,many now say they never accepted the Red,but a few still dont see what Tan did wrong.

At least now we are left with many True City Fans

Here you. go again, Annis. Just because somebody does sing from your hymn sheet they are not true Cardiff City fans. As I have followed the City for over 50 years I think you've got a bloody cheek.

Hudson is first player to talk about the conflict Vincent Tan's switch to red caused saying: 'The change pulled the heart and soul out of the club'

100% True.

But there are few on here, that still today this day dont agree with this

Agree 100%. I think a lot of those who had no respect for the true identity of the club were the glory hunters who suddenly appeared out of the woodwork as soon as we had a sniff of success. A lot have disappeared as quickly as they arrived now that we are not winning every week. A season or two of struggles, and most of the pro reds will be gone. Good to see our former captain appreciating the proud history of this club.

Steve, Yes many have suddenly disappeared,many now say they never accepted the Red,but a few still dont see what Tan did wrong.

At least now we are left with many True City Fans

Here you. go again, Annis. Just because somebody does sing from your hymn sheet they are not true Cardiff City fans. As I have followed the City for over 50 years I think you've got a bloody cheek.

Same here guess its all about perspective? Football is a game its not a matter of life or death or the most important thing in someone's life, even though supported it for 45yrs! just because don't have same opinion does not make us any less a fan than the OTT reaction to things at club? And don't just mean rebrand only need to see this board to see how so called fans deride the club on anything they can!