http://oatcakefanzine.proboards.com/thread/215103/message-alan-hudson Alan Hudson has asked us to post this: At a very, very tough and fragile time for Stoke City Football Club, I must reply to the piece in the Oatcake this week. I was so very touched and moved by the tribute and other messages sited on your page that I thought I must reply. If you have ever had a life changing experience this might be a little easier to understand, for I have had several, one so very close to death. So, it is with this in mind that I write to let you know the importance of such a tribute and the comments that followed and my time in the Potteries thrilling the thousands. There comes a time in everyone's life when they might meet the one man or woman that changes that life completely and ultimately, and in my case the ultimate was Waddington. Over the past few years at both the Victoria Ground the Britannia Stadium I have heard from four sides of the stadiums your feelings for my boss, and it seems that not everyone knows just what a manager he was, despite having several flaws in his private life, which were more like the game he loved so much, social, which ran into my life. He saw it as an entertainment, but more important, for me personally, although I took a massive gamble coming to the Potteries, Tony made it like I was going from 'Earth to Heaven' when I walked on that pitch to play my natural game, a game that saw me rotting at Stamford Bridge, where I regained the form from my schooldays after being coached (taught) by my dad to not only play it but express myself the way that Tony also allowed me to do. There are no Magic Wands, as you can see over the years of watching the trash dished up by our national team year after year, once again given to you by those at the FA. However I was completely moved by that tribute and your messages got not only close to the bone but the heart, but only because of One Man, a man who is never given the credit he deserved, and had it been anyone else I would never have put pen to paper to play with Stoke City, they looked a team going nowhere, but by one stroke of fate I was also going to that same place and was at the crossroads of my career and Stoke theirs. On my part, one wrong move and I was fish and chip paper, only in Stoke it would have been even worse they would have covered me with mushy peas. Yuk! I have always maintained that I never played for Stoke City, for after my debut against Liverpool in 1974, I played for my father Bill and my close family and friends, My Tony Waddington, and then those magnificent fans, but how could they not love me, for they were only like me looking for them, something different, some thing new and something special and you might say we found one another at the Victoria Ground on that wonderful day in early 1974. With Mr Waddington in the Directors Box and my family a few rows away from him, the scene was set and I knew that it was going to be my day, although it was like being put up against the wall as they blind fold you and load the bullets and then ask you for one last request which I answered by simply saying, 'Please give me the bloody ball.' Okay, several wouldn't in those early days, but no matter what if I had played for that team where only six players passed to me it would have been enough because I had enough faith in not only my ability but Waddingon and Bill Hudson in that stand to see me through. They were like an army, and their knowledge and strength and faith in me made up for the missing five culprits. However, I was not offended, in fact it lifted me to a higher plain, for as for coming out of that coma and being hospitalized for those 12 months when they said I'd never walk again, I took everything I had to give from that adversity, and pulled myself to my feet in the pub opposite that hospital. After all I was simply a young 22-year-old Chelsea boy looking, once again for love and found it behind the goal on the Boothen End. After escaping the firing squad and keeping my legs, I now believe in miracles and having not only walked again, after walking on water, I limp each and every day through my life proud of my time at the Old Vic. I would sincerely like to thank the Oatcake for those kind and heartwarming words on my behalf and those many great memories and only wished Frank Edwards hadn't have died on that dreadful day when going to give me the job, because it was my dream to manage Stoke City, but not the club, those magnificent supporters who I shared so many incredible Saturday afternoons. PS: I must add that if I upset a few fans along the way, I don't apologize, because you simply don't understand what happened between me and those at the club, and those other players, and I would like to think that they would be as honest as me and say 'I don't like Alan Hudson' I really have no problem with that because I have enough love with those others who I had so many great times with there. I am not one to say I agree with directors when they should have given me the job, because I should have had it, and the problem is they are all frightened of me for seeing through them. I would have made Brian Clough look like Mary Poppins, but I would have done it with the class of Waddington and for you supporters. I only wish you all well, because right now the next manager has a tougher job than when Tony Pulis took over and oh by the way, please give him credit for the magnificent job he did for the club, after all all he said was 'I'll keep you in the Premier League' and was true to his word, whereas he could have said something like Harry Redknapp, like 'I'll bring you Barcelona', and in fact, Harry did say when taking over QPR that 'I'll keep you up and get you to the FA Cup final' but failed on both fronts, whereas TP never promised that but did it, so I say well done Tony you've been absolutely fantastic and not only that but been the only one man in the football club that has made me welcome...need I say anymore? Alan
When Potts reads that, he will have tears in his eyes. I have asked Steve many times to tell you his little secret for some time, but he said."They won't believe me" When he was ill early last year. Steve had a home visit from non other than T.C. Nick Steve told you about a game of bowls? Terry was not well enough to do that. So he came to our house and with him was Alan Hudson. Both were fantastic,talked for at least 2 hours, and then took Steve for a pint, their shout no argument. Both we're amazing and Steve came on so well after his stroke. Terry still writes to him occasionally to ask how he is doing health wise. Don't be to hard with him lads. Please.... it's his secret, well it was until now. All the best Nick hope you are doing well. Chris xx
Thanks Chris, not too bad. Well the little rascal, I wonder what other secrets Potts has been keeping? A closet Vale fan
Sorry guys... I just couldn't but I'm glad it's out now. And yes it was one of the best days of my life.
