No more Mr Nice Guy as league stalwart hangs up boots

Ian ‘Huddy’ Hudson started out in 1979 with Lighthorne Sports, spending 16 years with the club before moving to Windmill/St Patricks where he stayed until 2001.

Aged 37 he switched to Stockton, where his father and grandfather had played before him.

With his 40th birthday looming he thought his final move would last just three or four seasons, but it was not until 13 years later , following a 4-1 defeat by Midland Rangers that he finally called it a day.

“It was a sad day which I had not been looking forward to,” said Hudson.

“It’s the end of an era.

“However, I have some great memories with cup and league triumphs, scored some great goals and have had the pleasure playing alongside and against some truly gifted players.”

And asked whether he ever came close to getting entering the referee’s notebook, he said not: “I am quite a placid player.

“As I have always been very quick it was always me that was getting tackled - when they could catch me.”