Mark Hudson

Fulham

Born in Guildford, Hudson played for Farncombe Youth as a child. As a teenager, he briefly played for Swindon Town before joining Fulham when he was 14, which he later reflected on, stating, "I was at Swindon when I was about 13; I played a game against Fulham and they asked me to come down for some training. I came to the club at about 14 but took a year out because I wasn't really enjoying it. When I came back I wasn't offered a YTS because I didn't progress quick enough. I took the knock-back and stayed at college because it's always useful to have an academic side to fall back on. I was then told that I was going to be given a professional contract and it's gone from there." After progressing through the ranks at the Fulham Academy, Hudson was involved in the Fulham first team and made his senior debut, being named in the starting line-up for a 1–0 defeat against Chesterfield in the first leg of a League Cup tie on 19 September 2000. Hudson also made another League Cup appearance for Fulham in the return leg on 27 September 2000, in a 4–0 win. In December 2001, Hudson spent two days on trial with Grimsby Town in preparation for a possible loan move, however, the transfer was not completed. At the end of the 2001–02 season, Hudson signed a one-year contract with Fulham. He did not make another senior appearance for the side until 6 November 2002, when he played in a 3–1 win over Bury in the League Cup. In total, Hudson made three appearances for Fulham, all…

Hudson was appointed manager of Huddersfield's under-23 team in January 2018. Hudson had previously hinted about moving into coaching once he retired and has completed his UEFA A licence. On 14 January 2019, he was appointed as interim manager at Huddersfield Town following the departure of David Wagner. He managed the side for one game, a 3–0 defeat against Manchester City, before Jan Siewert was appointed as the new permanent manager. Following the sacking of Siewart on 16 August 2019, Hudson once again took over as caretaker manager before Danny Cowley was appointed. Hudson was retained as a first-team coach. On 12 November 2021, Hudson re-joined his former club Cardiff City, taking the role of first team coach. On 18 September 2022, following the sacking of Steve Morison, Hudson was appointed interim manager of Cardiff City. On 14 November 2022, Hudson was appointed as the permanent manager of Cardiff until the end of the 2022–23 season following an impressive interim spell. He was relieved of his managerial duties on 14 January 2023. On 4 July 2023, Hudson joined Sheffield United as first-team defensive coach.

As a player

Hudson is married to Marie-Louise Hudson and together, the couple have two sons and a daughter. While at Cardiff City, Hudson supported for the 'Kick Racism out of Football' campaign in the wake of Michael Chopra's race row. Hudson also took up yoga as another way to regain his fitness. By the time he departed Cardiff City, media outlet Wales Online described Hudson as "resolutely old-fashioned, a family man." During his playing at Huddersfield Town, local newspaper Huddersfield Daily Examiner described Hudson as having "a sense of leadership and responsibility, the ability to spark respect and admiration in others, and a desire to help and improve younger members of the side."