|
Post by okeydokeystokie2 on Apr 28, 2022 8:18:35 GMT
Hudson for me too. Just made the game look so easy. Always seemed to have time and space. Great awareness, and for all the drinking tales he was a great trainer and super fit too. He reckons that saved him when he was knocked down.
I was fortunate enough to be at one of his book launches at Trentham Gardens, probably 2008. Nigel Johnson was the MC, and he reminded Huddy that Bill Shankly had said that his debut for Stoke v Liverpool was the best debut he'd ever seen.
Hudson's answer? "Well I don't know how. I'd been on a bender for 3 weeks". That's weeks, not nights. Apparently disillusioned after leaving Chelsea - I think he fell out with Dave Sexton. He would be the first to say that Waddo basically saved him.
For those who may think Gazza was a better dribbler. watch Huddy's England debut v World Champions West Germany. He goes past players like they weren't there.
And how cool was he? That guy could look cool having a shit.
|
|
|
Post by leicspotter on Apr 28, 2022 8:31:01 GMT
With his physicality, Gascoigne could do things that Hudson would never have attempted, but with his brain Hudson would control games in a way that Gazza never could.
Gazza would always appear 'busy' and do some outrageous stuff on the pitch, but Hudson was such a clever player and got his team mates doing amazing stuff.
Gazza was the flash noisy sports car to Huddy's purring Rolls Royce. Both amazing talents but Alan Hudson probably had more influence on every game he played.
As already mentioned, Hudson should have had many, many England caps
|
|
|
Post by Laughing Gravy on Apr 28, 2022 8:43:21 GMT
Huddy's debut v Liverpool with a back drop of the real Boothen End. I was just along from that Esso sign bottom right As in asking whose the best between Messi and Ronaldo, why can’t we just agree they were both fantastic players but as Joeinoz said above they were both different types A rough guide is Gascoigne was a Nzonzi type and Hudson a Whelan type Both midfield both superb, both different and both a pleasure to watch I was a bit further back from there just to the left of the big girder and behind the barrier with the walkway in front of us. Don’t know why cos we regularly got squashed in the surges. What a game that was. Don’t think I’ve ever seen a player so dominate a game before of since. Unfair comparison really but it’s got to be Hudson especially when you consider the mud baths he just glided over compared to the relative carpets of Gaza’s era.
|
|
|
Post by anchorman on Apr 28, 2022 8:52:47 GMT
I was just along from that Esso sign bottom right As in asking whose the best between Messi and Ronaldo, why can’t we just agree they were both fantastic players but as Joeinoz said above they were both different types A rough guide is Gascoigne was a Nzonzi type and Hudson a Whelan type Both midfield both superb, both different and both a pleasure to watch I'm near to the front middle of the goal, what a debut I was also in the Boothen End that day, just below the steel support to the right. Special day, special times. As others have said, Huddy was a Rolls Royce of a player. He used take the ball off John Farmer on the edge of his own box and effortlessly glide through the opposition without breaking sweat and was on the edge of the opponents box in no time. Pure and absolute class. As I have said many many times. In all my 50+ years following Stoke I have never seen a better player live than Alan Hudson.
|
|
|
Post by Huddysleftfoot on Apr 28, 2022 8:58:38 GMT
I'm near to the front middle of the goal, what a debut I was also in the Boothen End that day, just below the steel support to the right. Special day, special times. As others have said, Huddy was a Rolls Royce of a player. He used take the ball off John Farmer on the edge of his own box and effortlessly glide through the opposition without breaking sweat and was on the edge of the opponents box in no time. Pure and absolute class. As I have said many many times. In all my 50+ years following Stoke I have never seen a better player live than Alan Hudson. And bear in mind the state of the pitches back then in Hudson's time.
|
|
|
Post by Gods on Apr 28, 2022 9:53:16 GMT
Huddy's debut v Liverpool with a back drop of the real Boothen End. I must actually be in that photo (somewhere). Me and my mates always used to stand about one third of the way up the Boothen, almost in line with the left hand goalpost (as you look at the photo), a couple of yards away from the big steel roof support. The excitement and atmosphere around the place when Huddy made his debut was incredible. Me too, the arrival of Huddy was quite astonishing, he could put his foot on the ball and world would stand still, had to pinch ourselves that he was our player.
|
|
|
Post by Gods on Apr 28, 2022 9:54:19 GMT
Didn't Gascoigne spend most of his time in the Scottish League, when in UK Football? I know he was at Spurs, but shot himself in the foot in that FA Cup Final game,whereas Hudson was the complete Midfielder. Perhaps both were too fond of the"Pop"though. Alan Hudson the better player for me, but Gascoigne grabbed more headlines because of his antics. Tony Curry and Stan Bowles also superb midfielders from that era. Gerry Francis was top drawer as well.
|
|
|
Post by Caerwrangonpotter on Apr 28, 2022 9:56:38 GMT
No contest
|
|
|
Post by anchorman on Apr 28, 2022 10:49:31 GMT
I was also in the Boothen End that day, just below the steel support to the right. Special day, special times. As others have said, Huddy was a Rolls Royce of a player. He used take the ball off John Farmer on the edge of his own box and effortlessly glide through the opposition without breaking sweat and was on the edge of the opponents box in no time. Pure and absolute class. As I have said many many times. In all my 50+ years following Stoke I have never seen a better player live than Alan Hudson. And bear in mind the state of the pitches back then in Hudson's time. Absolutely! At the time The Baseball Ground was quite literally a mud heap of a pitch, more like a ploughed field than a football pitch but Huddy gave a masterclass that day against Derby…seemed to glide over the mud, almost hovering above it God like rather than run through it….He was coolness & class personified…A genius.
|
|
|
Post by jimmygscfc1234 on Apr 28, 2022 10:56:25 GMT
Hudson by a country mile. It’s criminal he wasn’t an England regular for years For those who never saw him it’s hard to explain how he played the game. So elegant, always had time on the ball, seemed to stroll through games without breaking sweat Bu you’d always come away thinking you just seen a truly great player Since 1963 by far and away the best Stoke player I’ve seen I honestly always thought that and still do but I’d throw Ricardo Fuller into that mix also In 30 years time Fuller will be talked of in similar terms ….it’s just that he’s too recent for many people IMO of course Cripes, that some statement.
|
|
|
Post by cousindupree on Apr 28, 2022 11:07:57 GMT
Huddy's debut v Liverpool with a back drop of the real Boothen End. I was just along from that Esso sign bottom right As in asking whose the best between Messi and Ronaldo, why can’t we just agree they were both fantastic players but as Joeinoz said above they were both different types A rough guide is Gascoigne was a Nzonzi type and Hudson a Whelan type Both midfield both superb, both different and both a pleasure to watch Hudson a Whelan type WTF! There are simply no similarities between Hudson and Whelan. Bizarre
|
|
|
Post by skip on Apr 28, 2022 11:10:17 GMT
In his second spell with us against WBA, Hudson dictated the whole game. As a kid watching on, it completely changed my mind on what a footballer could be, or do. Made me realise great players think instinctively as well as have the ability to tear around for an hour and a half. Total class.
|
|
|
Post by wrighter on Apr 28, 2022 11:17:42 GMT
listen to what Jimmy Greenhoff said in an interview re the 2
|
|
|
Post by JoeinOz on Apr 28, 2022 11:19:59 GMT
With his physicality, Gascoigne could do things that Hudson would never have attempted, but with his brain Hudson would control games in a way that Gazza never could. Gazza would always appear 'busy' and do some outrageous stuff on the pitch, but Hudson was such a clever player and got his team mates doing amazing stuff. Gazza was the flash noisy sports car to Huddy's purring Rolls Royce. Both amazing talents but Alan Hudson probably had more influence on every game he played. As already mentioned, Hudson should have had many, many England caps Good point about controlling games. It was rare for Paul, despite his many good qualities, to control a game. Rome in 97 but not many more. Overall a lack of control has dogged every aspect of his life
|
|
|
Post by werrington on Apr 28, 2022 11:31:38 GMT
I was just along from that Esso sign bottom right As in asking whose the best between Messi and Ronaldo, why can’t we just agree they were both fantastic players but as Joeinoz said above they were both different types A rough guide is Gascoigne was a Nzonzi type and Hudson a Whelan type Both midfield both superb, both different and both a pleasure to watch Hudson a Whelan type WTF There are simply no similarities between Hudson and Whelan. Bizarre Of course there isn’t in terms of ability ffs I was just saying roughly the type of midfield player they were for younger fans as in trying to dictate play and not a box to box Gascoigne/Nzonzi ….that doesn’t mean I’m saying Whelan was as good as Hudson But you knew that
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2022 12:47:50 GMT
With his physicality, Gascoigne could do things that Hudson would never have attempted, but with his brain Hudson would control games in a way that Gazza never could. Gazza would always appear 'busy' and do some outrageous stuff on the pitch, but Hudson was such a clever player and got his team mates doing amazing stuff. Gazza was the flash noisy sports car to Huddy's purring Rolls Royce. Both amazing talents but Alan Hudson probably had more influence on every game he played. As already mentioned, Hudson should have had many, many England caps Good point about controlling games. It was rare for Paul, despite his many good qualities, to control a game. Rome in 97 but not many more. Overall a lack of control has dogged every aspect of his life Didn't Hudson get caught by Revie sneaking out of the team hotel? Gascoigne rarely bossed games. In 1990 all the fuss re him. Was awful v Ireland and Egypt, glimpses v Netherlands and England completely over run v Cameroon and at times v Belgium. Schifo took control of that one for long periods . He gave a pen away as well v Cameroon . Certainly could turn games though with moments of great quality .
|
|
|
Post by maine on Apr 28, 2022 12:49:20 GMT
Was there any truth in the rumour that Alan was taken off at half time v W Germany because he was showing everybody else up? The notion that Gerry Francis was anywhere near his level is absurd. I'd say the same about Gascoigne. One point to make though is he benefited from the superb movement from up front. Greenhoff etc made the movement because they knew he could find them. Works both ways.
|
|
|
Post by Gods on Apr 28, 2022 13:28:44 GMT
No contest Ha What a fecking great photo, I mean how cool was he? No need to answer that! Note to self...need to up your game next time you arrive at Stoke Station :-)
|
|
|
Post by OldStokie on Apr 28, 2022 13:35:46 GMT
Hudson all day long. He can stand proudly alongside the all-time greats like Cruyff, Beckenbauer, and Zidane, but his metabolism was completely different than theirs. They were proper athletes whereas Huddy was something of a dosser away from the game. His way of life said that he should never be on a football field, even in the lower leagues, to strut his stuff. I've been drinking in Florence Colliery Club until 3am with him and his buddy Geoff Salmons and later in the day, was also at The Vic with a real hangover when both him and Salmons were putting on a display of utter brilliance that simply defies logic. In reality, they shouldn't even have been able to lace their boots up. It's difficult to describe how Huddy played. He had the ability to glide over muddy pitches and yet control and pass the ball marvelously. My all-time favourite Stoke player is Smithy, but for sheer class and ability, nobody has even come close to his freakish, natural brilliance in all the many decades I've had watching Stoke. For the old 'uns on here, this piece in The Sent'null by Pete Smith will bring tears to your eyes. The Genius.OS.
|
|
|
Post by werrington on Apr 28, 2022 13:37:52 GMT
Good point about controlling games. It was rare for Paul, despite his many good qualities, to control a game. Rome in 97 but not many more. Overall a lack of control has dogged every aspect of his life Didn't Hudson get caught by Revie sneaking out of the team hotel? Gascoigne rarely bossed games. In 1990 all the fuss re him. Was awful v Ireland and Egypt, glimpses v Netherlands and England completely over run v Cameroon and at times v Belgium. Schifo took control of that one for long periods . He gave a pen away as well v Cameroon . Certainly could turn games though with moments of great quality . He bossed that Holland game ….he was superb
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2022 13:38:04 GMT
I vaguely remember a pic of him in a paper as a kid . He was sat on a fence of his house in the USA and they claimed he'd lost in a card game. In those days my parents believed everything in the papers. Chances are he didn't even own it and a newspaper story. Was also around the same time pics of Stan Bowles with a topless model but think my Mum confiscated that. Obviously not a QPR fan.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2022 13:40:20 GMT
Didn't Hudson get caught by Revie sneaking out of the team hotel? Gascoigne rarely bossed games. In 1990 all the fuss re him. Was awful v Ireland and Egypt, glimpses v Netherlands and England completely over run v Cameroon and at times v Belgium. Schifo took control of that one for long periods . He gave a pen away as well v Cameroon . Certainly could turn games though with moments of great quality . He bossed that Holland game ….he was superb He was good. Was actually at that in Cagliari. Were the better side and the stand out player but rarely looked like winning it. His only really good game out of the 6
|
|
|
Post by meltonjohn on Apr 28, 2022 13:41:59 GMT
I must be in that photo too, had season ticket in Boothen End for years. After a year’s break I’m back for next season , glutton for punishment….
As for this discussion, Alan Hudson walked on water….
|
|
|
Post by werrington on Apr 28, 2022 13:42:30 GMT
|
|
|
Post by meltonjohn on Apr 28, 2022 13:45:58 GMT
Hudson all day long. He can stand proudly alongside the all-time greats like Cruyff, Beckenbauer, and Zidane, but his metabolism was completely different than theirs. They were proper athletes whereas Huddy was something of a dosser away from the game. His way of life said that he should never be on a football field, even in the lower leagues, to strut his stuff. I've been drinking in Florence Colliery Club until 3am with him and his buddy Geoff Salmons and later in the day, was also at The Vic with a real hangover when both him and Salmons were putting on a display of utter brilliance that simply defies logic. In reality, they shouldn't even have been able to lace their boots up. It's difficult to describe how Huddy played. He had the ability to glide over muddy pitches and yet control and pass the ball marvelously. My all-time favourite Stoke player is Smithy, but for sheer class and ability, nobody has even come close to his freakish, natural brilliance in all the many decades I've had watching Stoke. For the old 'uns on here, this piece in The Sent'null by Pete Smith will bring tears to your eyes. The Genius.OS. Hudson, Salmons and Greenhoff in the mud at the Baseball Ground, memories!
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 28, 2022 13:46:53 GMT
I saw it for myself. Don't do the Gascoigne love in. The highlights are there to watch on line. A couple of good moments that keep getting repeated v an average Dutch side that Ireland almost beat and were average v Egypt
|
|
|
Post by J-Roar on Apr 28, 2022 14:02:49 GMT
|
|
|
Post by Staffsoatcake on Apr 28, 2022 15:12:57 GMT
Hudson by a country mile.
|
|
|
Post by Veritas on Apr 28, 2022 16:30:31 GMT
Hudson all day long. He can stand proudly alongside the all-time greats like Cruyff, Beckenbauer, and Zidane, but his metabolism was completely different than theirs. They were proper athletes whereas Huddy was something of a dosser away from the game. His way of life said that he should never be on a football field, even in the lower leagues, to strut his stuff. I've been drinking in Florence Colliery Club until 3am with him and his buddy Geoff Salmons and later in the day, was also at The Vic with a real hangover when both him and Salmons were putting on a display of utter brilliance that simply defies logic. In reality, they shouldn't even have been able to lace their boots up. It's difficult to describe how Huddy played. He had the ability to glide over muddy pitches and yet control and pass the ball marvelously. My all-time favourite Stoke player is Smithy, but for sheer class and ability, nobody has even come close to his freakish, natural brilliance in all the many decades I've had watching Stoke. For the old 'uns on here, this piece in The Sent'null by Pete Smith will bring tears to your eyes. The Genius.OS. I was a regular throughout Hudson's time at Stoke and he was brilliant but stand alongside Cruyff etc! What have you been smoking?
|
|
|
Post by lordb on Apr 28, 2022 16:39:50 GMT
I saw it for myself. Don't do the Gascoigne love in. The highlights are there to watch on line. A couple of good moments that keep getting repeated v an average Dutch side that Ireland almost beat and were average v Egypt 'average Dutch side ' European champions, Rijkarrd,Koeman ,Wouters,Guillet,Van Basten et al yeah average...
|
|