‘The Hud’ in the Sky Blue
On this day (28th December) three years ago the extremely sad news was confirmed that our member, Sky Blues legendary striker George Hudson passed away that morning aged 83. For many Coventry City supporters George was their top Sky Blue of all time!
A long time Association member and a fully paid up member of the Sky Blue Legends’ ‘Hall of Fame’, George is remembered for many audacious and skilful goals over four seasons (1962-66) with CCFC. Memorably, in May 1964, ‘the Hud’ scored the only goal in our last game of the season at home against Colchester United that took the Sky Blues up as Division Three champions to Division Two. He also scored in his last game for us in a 2-2 draw against Bristol City at Highfield Road.
George in action
Starting out with Manchester Juniors in May 1955, Blackburn Rovers picked up George on amateur forms in December 1957, giving him a professional contract at the end of January 1958. Though he only made four league appearances for Rovers (one goal) his talents attracted Accrington Stanley to sign him on a free in July 1960 and he repaid them in spades with 36 goals in 49 first team outings! Peterborough United signed him in October 1961 for £5,000 and another prolific spell followed (38 goals in 65 league games)
This strike rate prompted Sky Blues manager Jimmy Hill to pay a club record fee of £22k for George in April 1962 controversially replacing the popular Terry Bly (another ex- Posh striker and later CCFPA member). The ‘Hud’ immediately endeared himself to the City fans by scoring a debut home hat-trick in a 5-4 victory over Halifax Town.
Xmas Sky Blues: (left to right) Mick Kearns, Willie Humphries, George Hudson (stripes) and George Curtis with JH (on right) & a brace of turkeys
CCFPA’s Mike Young (right) with George at Legends Day
In his Sky Blue career George ended up with 62 league goals in 113 appearances, netted five times in six F.A.Cup games and eight in ten League Cup outings (a fabulous total of 75 goals in 129 appearances in the Sky Blue)!
Nevertheless, George was transferred to Northampton Town for £29.5k in March 1966 (six goals in 20 outings). In January 1967 George moved to Tranmere Rovers where he continued his high goal scoring hit rate (22 goals in 63 apps) and in February 1968 he helped to knock City out of the F.A.Cup! Later moving to non-league Altrincham, on hanging up his boots he worked in the printing trade (Daily Mirror) in the north-west where continued to reside.
Many supporters will remember when ‘the Hud’ came back to Coventry several times to CCFPA functions at the Ricoh, not least the rearranged Legends Day 2018. He was pictured left on that day with CCFC’s then top striker 28 goal Sky Blue Marc ‘Sparky’ McNulty (who also later joined the Association).
George is missed by all that witnessed his sublime playing skills as well as those who got to meet him and listen to his often pithy take on the game as it developed after he had hung up his boots. Association Chairman (and CCFC official club historian) Jim Brown produced an extensive obituary/ appreciation which appears (alongside obits for all our FP members who have passed away) on this site. Please click on the ‘Players’ tab above and select the ‘Gone But Not Forgotten’ option.
George was also a hero to Association Life President (and former CCFC Director) Joe Elliott and a signed shirt of George’s from a previous Legends Day holds pride of place in Joe’s home (below).
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