Hudgell Arthur Image 1 Sunderland 1947

Description

Hackney, London born left back Arthur Hudgell began his football career with Eton Manor and signed for Third Division (South) club Crystal Palace in December 1937, making his debut in a Third Division Cup replay match against Reading in March 1939, Palace beating Reading 6-4 to advance to the semi final. Hudgell also played as they were beaten 4-2 by Torquay United a week later, but with the outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939, his career was severely interrupted and his next taste of first team peacetime action came in The Eagles’ 1946 FA Cup campaign when he played in their tie with Queen’s Park Rangers, which after two 0-0 draws, was decided in a second replay at Craven Cottage, QPE winning 1-0.

Hudgell made his Football League debut nearly nine years after signing for Crystal Palace, at Mansfield Town in August 1946, and scored his only career goal from the penalty spot in a 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town in October that year. He soon came to the notice of First Division club Sunderland who signed him for £10,000, then a record fee for a full back, at the end of January 1947, going straight into The Wearsiders’ line up for his debut against Blackburn Rovers in a 2-1 win at Ewood Park.

Hudgell missed only 6 matches in the next four seasons for Sunderland, helping them to finish third in the League Championship in 1949-50, and continued as a first team regular until March 1954. He stayed a further three seasons at Roker Park but featured in only 6 more first team matches, before his retirement in 1957 after 275 appearances for Sunderland, spending all of his eleven seasons at Roker Park in the top flight.