' Mark Hudson '

Mark Hudson was virtually kicked out of this club and we gave away a good leader on and off the pitch




Sport Football Football News Cardiff City FC

Why Cardiff City fans must give Mark Hudson the excellent ovation he deserves


10 SEPTEMBER 2015


Steve Tucker


Mark Hudson will run out at the Cardiff City Stadium for the first time since he left on Saturday. Steve Tucker reminds us why he deserves a big cheer



Cardiff City fans have some great memories of Mark Hudson

Returning to a former club can be a nightmare for any footballer.

The fear of running a gauntlet of hate from supporters who once worshipped you, but now feel betrayed, can be a daunting experience.

That should not, and indeed must not, be the case for Mark Hudson when he returns to the Welsh capital for the first time this weekend to face the Bluebirds with new club Huddersfield.

Boo Hudson? Come off it, the guy should be welcomed as a hero at the Cardiff City Stadium.



If the word legend is bandied about a bit too freely nowadays in the game then no-nonsense centre-back Hudson comes awfully close to filling the criteria needed in the Welsh capital.

Over five seasons Hudson, now 33, made 165 appearances for Cardiff, but in many ways those cold hard figures – hardly impressive in terms of numbers in truth – barely tell the story of his time here at all.

Hudson was a leader, a motivator, a player’s player, a man who demanded respect and ultimate commitment from those around him.





The leader
More often than not got it because he led by example.

Fearless in the heart of the Cardiff defence, he would be the first himself to admit he was not blessed with scintillating talent.

But anyone who saw him marshalling that back-line, carrying out another timely crunching tackle and sticking that head of his where many might fear to stick a boot will know the true measure of the man.



For a number of seasons Hudson WAS Cardiff City.

Following his arrival from Charlton in July 2009, his story matched that of the club itself, etched in him was the triumph and disaster, the near-misses, the frustrations and then finally the ecstasy as he finally became the man to end 51-years of hurt as he led the Bluebirds back into the top-flight in 2013 as Champions.

The images of the skipper holding that famous trophy aloft are etched in the mind of all, embedded into the club’s folklore forever, irrespective of what may have followed.




The memories
And if we are talking of fond memories, how about ‘that’ goal against Derby back in April 2012 from his own half? It’s as pleasant a memory as many a supporter can recall.

Although despite the fact we are eulogising him, lets have no repeat of such heroics when he visits with the Terriers thanks very much!

But whatever Hudson’s achievements on the pitch for the Bluebirds, they were almost superceded by what he did off it.


Hudson was the arch-professional, the ultimate club man, someone who presented the club in the best way possible even when, perhaps, the club did not always deserve it.

After a stinging defeat, when dejected players just wanted to get out of the spotlight, the skipper was the man who faced down the press in measured tones, in a non-dramatic manner and with the right amount of good humour.

Anyone who lingered in the Cardiff City car-park after a match too will have seen what he was like with supporters.

The short walk to his car invariably took an age as he stopped to sign autographs and pose for pictures with the young and not so young. Hudson had time for everyone.




The kids
Those kids who met him then were awestruck by a quick word and a pic with ‘Captain Fantastic.’ And why not? They were meeting a man who is the perfect role-model for any aspiring young footballer. Indeed Hudson was someone who illustrated the way to behave in whatever walk of life.

It was in many ways a surprise that, in an exclusive interview with WalesOnline when he departed for Huddersfield a year ago, Hudson spoke of his anger at wild suggestions he had scored an own goal on purpose in what proved his last game for the club against Wolves.

He revealed his disappointment at the way he was let go by then boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and, freed of the shackles of club etiquette, urged a return to the traditional blue shirts.


But it wasn’t petulance. Hudson does not deal in that.

He believed the club had treated him shabbily in the way they let him go. Doubtless the club will contend otherwise.

When he did finally leave, Hudson was hurt, he didn’t want to go, he had a young family born and raised in the Welsh capital and the Bluebirds were in his blood.

They probably still are – and that should be remembered this weekend when he takes to the pitch to face his former club.




The boo-boys
There are always boo-boys around, but let’s see them drowned out on Saturday.

In any case, you are never going to put off a pro like Hudson as he looks to get the Terriers their first Championship win of the season.

The Welsh capital welcomes back a true servant this weekend and, yes, let’s just say it, a Bluebirds’ legend.

The guy should be given a standing ovation. Before kick-off too.

would still like him here to be honest. still better than morrison imo and will would be fantastic to have around the dressing room.

would still like him here to be honest. still better than morrison imo and will would be fantastic to have around the dressing room.

Paula, same here and the worst part of it was, he did not want to leave and we gave him away.

would still like him here to be honest. still better than morrison imo and will would be fantastic to have around the dressing room.

Paula, same here and the worst part of it was, he did not want to leave and we gave him away.

would still like him here to be honest. still better than morrison imo and will would be fantastic to have around the dressing room.

Paula, same here and the worst part of it was, he did not want to leave and we gave him away.

Annis could have been a good return!

would still like him here to be honest. still better than morrison imo and will would be fantastic to have around the dressing room.

Paula, same here and the worst part of it was, he did not want to leave and we gave him away.

Annis could have been a good return!

Def.

Would have thought he is one player who will always be given a good welcome at the CCS, whoever he is playing for. It's not his fault he is no longer with the club, and I think he has made it clear that he never wanted to leave. Deserves our respect for the effort he always put in whenever he pulled on a City shirt.

would still like him here to be honest. still better than morrison imo and will would be fantastic to have around the dressing room.

Paula, same here and the worst part of it was, he did not want to leave and we gave him away.

Annis could have been a good return!

Def.

Nice edit

Would have thought he is one player who will always be given a good welcome at the CCS, whoever he is playing for. It's not his fault he is no longer with the club, and I think he has made it clear that he never wanted to leave. Deserves our respect for the effort he always put in whenever he pulled on a City shirt.

Wouldn't say he was a legend no where near it. But he was a good servant and a model Pro who deserves a very good reception off the City faithful and I have no doubts he will.

We clapped him when we were away at Huddersfield last season and quite rightly so. I'd have him back in a heartbeat - he was part of the backbone of our team and wanted to be here. Fantastic captain.

Will get a big cheer from me! Never understood why we got rid of him .. He deserves a standing ovation!

would still like him here to be honest. still better than morrison imo and will would be fantastic to have around the dressing room.

A born leader who will defo get a great and well deserved reception on Saturday.
He'll make a fantastic Manager, would love to see him manage City on day.

Tremendous player, captain and bloke. Still can't fathom why we got rid of him. Another of Ole' s appalling decisions.

I have to say Tucker is a dick....

I haven't one atom of a doubt that he will recieve more than the polite clap we normally give ex players....He will get a loud roar when his name is called out.

I hope Huddefield who have bought well are on the end of a hammering and thier manager takes him off 5 mins early so we can give him the send off he deserved......

To write 300 words or so on that is a waste of time

The clueless Ole thought that Morrison for 4 mill was better.

I can see it both ways, would he fit in nicely along side manga? Yes.

However we sold him after 2 seasons of injuries and replaced him with a younger defender, sadly morison is not up to it.

I'm saying that Hudson had a lot of stick for many seasons when he was with us, time for morison yet.

A good Captain and would have him back in a heart beat>

"Mark Hudson, he'll always be Blue"

Always thought Hudson was a donkey.A very slow donkey. Usually out of his depth against
most championship strikers.His lack of pace and with the touch of a baby elephant I was
pleased we got shot of him. However he was a very committed and honest player who deserves
respect and a good reception come Saturday.

I have to say Tucker is a dick....

I haven't one atom of a doubt that he will recieve more than the polite clap we normally give ex players....He will get a loud roar when his name is called out.

I hope Huddefield who have bought well are on the end of a hammering and thier manager takes him off 5 mins early so we can give him the send off he deserved......

To write 300 words or so on that is a waste of time

Totally agree an absolute terrible article that's shows how out of touch tucker is with things. Drowned out the boos??!!! Clueless tucker, he will be given a decent ovation by all. Good captain and leader

I have to say Tucker is a dick....

I haven't one atom of a doubt that he will recieve more than the polite clap we normally give ex players....He will get a loud roar when his name is called out.

I hope Huddefield who have bought well are on the end of a hammering and thier manager takes him off 5 mins early so we can give him the send off he deserved......

To write 300 words or so on that is a waste of time

Totally agree an absolute terrible article that's shows how out of touch tucker is with things. Drowned out the boos??!!! Clueless tucker, he will be given a decent ovation by all. Good captain and leader

Agree with both posts. Abysmal article, clearly just filling column inches. The guy is getting paid for making shit up.

He was always slagged towards end of city career bit like the way whitts is going

he gave everything to the team and outside of football he did a lot at the hospitals for children and also had time for photos and signatures with fans



yes he really was a good leader IMO

Was criminal for me letting him go. A solid leader that we so missed under Ole!

Would have him back in a flash

Always thought Hudson was a donkey.A very slow donkey. Usually out of his depth against
most championship strikers.His lack of pace and with the touch of a baby elephant I was
pleased we got shot of him. However he was a very committed and honest player who deserves
respect and a good reception come Saturday.
I agree with this. Funny how our fickle fans are now singing his praises when he used to come in for some terrific stick when he played for us. and I still don't get this love-in when former players come tp play against us. Maybe I'm old fashioned. I must be as I dont hug my mates when I meet them.

Massive respect for him. True leader and a solid defender, always professional. It was funny when he was in trouble for singing "you jack bad persons.. " on the promotion bus.

i have to laugh how every comment on this thread is positive and even say we should have kept him. i remember when he left and i suggested we keep him ( i remember annis shared my views), most of the comments were that he was useless / past his best and on the subject of treating a fine servant of the club in such a shabby way, i was told thats modern football and he should suck it up.

it truly never ceases to amaze me how fickle football fans are.

i have to laugh how every comment on this thread is positive and even say we should have kept him. i remember when he left and i suggested we keep him ( i remember annis shared my views), most of the comments were that he was useless / past his best and on the subject of treating a fine servant of the club in such a shabby way, i was told thats modern football and he should suck it up.

it truly never ceases to amaze me how fickle football fans are.

Really I remember most people seemed to be against him leaving, I remember as I was one of few who felt it was a good time for him to move on and next to no one agreed.

Ole treated him like dirt. Hudson put everything into this club and loved ccfc, a hero in my eyes .

Just when you thought that Tucker could get no worse, he writes an article which seems to suggest that Mark Hudson would get a rough ride on his return to CCFC.