Former England Footballer Alan Hudson’s Plea: Remove My National Team Records
While representing your country on the football pitch is often seen as the ultimate honor, one former England international, Alan Hudson, feels differently. He has made an unprecedented request to the Football Association (FA): to erase his playing records from England’s football history. This may seem like a dramatic move, but it stems from deeply rooted feelings of disrespect and lack of support from the FA throughout his career and beyond.
Officially, 1290 players have proudly worn the England jersey since the first international match in 1872. Young talent like Taylor Harwood-Bellis recently joined this esteemed group, marking his debut with a goal in a Nations League victory. With potential call-ups for players like Dan Burn and Myles Lewis-Skelly, the number of England internationals could soon rise further. However, amidst this growing roster of national heroes, Alan Hudson, the 904th player to represent England, wants his name removed from the annals of English football.
Hudson, a talented midfielder who played for prominent clubs such as Chelsea and Arsenal, earned two caps for England in 1975 under manager Don Revie. However, his international journey was far from smooth. Years prior, he faced a three-year suspension imposed by Sir Alf Ramsey for declining an Under-23 call-up. Later, in 1978, he was called up again as a replacement by Ron Greenwood for a match against Brazil, but he refused to play, feeling slighted at not being included in the initial squad. This series of events, coupled with a later incident, fueled his disillusionment with the FA.
The breaking point for Hudson appears to be the FA’s perceived lack of support following a devastating hit-and-run accident in 1997. This incident left him in a coma for 59 days and necessitated around 70 surgical operations. Feeling abandoned in his time of need, Hudson’s resentment towards the Football Association solidified, ultimately leading to his extraordinary demand.
Alan Hudson’s Unprecedented Request to the FA: A Legacy Erased?
In 2021, Alan Hudson took the significant step of formally contacting the FA with his request. He voiced his desire to the Daily Mail, stating, “I don’t want anything to remain in the FA statistics to remind me of the demoralising and very depressing way I was passed over for all but two England matches.” His plea to erase his England appearances from official records is a stark expression of his deep dissatisfaction.
A year later, in May 2022, Hudson reiterated his stance, even hinting at legal action to enforce his demand. “I want out,” he declared. “I’ve asked the FA to remove my name from everything, I don’t want anything to do with them. I’m preparing a legal case to force them to do it.” Hudson further explained the emotional toll his perceived mistreatment has taken, stating that his “dream of a long international career was ruined and has led to long-term depression, anxiety and panic for which I still have counselling.” He believes being removed from England’s football history would bring him “great relief.”
It is understood that Hudson is the first player to ever make such a request, highlighting the unique nature of his situation and feelings. While he reportedly received responses from the FA’s legal and governance team, the outcome of his request remains unclear. SPORTbible has reached out to the FA for an official comment on this unprecedented situation.
Key Takeaways:
- Former England player Alan Hudson has requested the FA to remove his playing records.
- This request stems from feelings of disrespect and lack of support from the FA, both during and after his playing career.
- Hudson earned two England caps in 1975 but feels his international career was unfulfilling.
- He cites a lack of FA support after a serious accident in 1997 as a significant contributing factor to his request.
- His demand is unprecedented in the history of England football.
Could Alan Hudson’s request set a new precedent? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Further Reading:
- Learn more about the England national team.
- Read about other news related to Thomas Tuchel and England football.