I PUT IN THE HARD YARDS

FROM cutting his cloth in Non-League to devising plans on how to deal with Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney isn’t exactly the archetypal pathway of an up-and-coming coach, but then Anthony Hudson’s is a journey like no other.

- Johnny Morton

At the age of just 30, Hudson arrived at Newport County – then in the Conference – after having plied his trade at Tottenham Hotspur, where his duties included watching players such as England duo Harry Kane and Kyle Walker, who were out on loan.

His only previous managerial experience had been at Real Maryland Monarchs in the USA, but the hunger to succeed burned within as Hudson – son of Chelsea legend Alan – was being fuelled by “the disappointment of not making it to the level” he wanted as a player.

He had started out as a midfielder at West Ham United’s academy before moving on to spells with Luton Town and Dutch side NEC Nijmegen.

But Hudson knew coaching was his calling and his chance to put it right, which is where Newport came in.

The Exiles finished ninth in the 2010/11 season but after winning only one of their opening 12 games in the following campaign, Hudson was sacked despite seemingly having the support of his players.

“I was young and desperate to be a manager,” Seattle-born Hudson told The NLP. “It was a no-brainer. It didn’t go well but it was a good learning experience. I loved it there.

“One thing I don’t think you get as a young manager is the luxury of time because as soon as things go wrong, the easy thing that people label you with is being too young and inexperienced.