Football legend Alan Hudson is selling his FA Cup winner’s medal from “the most brutal game” in English history for £30,000.
The playmaker was injured and did not appear for Chelsea as they beat Leeds United 2-1 in the 1970 final replay, a match notorious for its physicality.
But he was still awarded a medal, which will be auctioned off next month.
There would have been at least six red cards and 20 yellows under modern standards, but referee Eric Stourbridge booked just one player at Old Trafford.
Hudson, who made 145 appearances for the West London club, gave his medal to his mother.
When she died it was left to his uncle, who has also now passed away. Hudson’s sister-in-law returned it and he is selling it via London auctioneer Noonans.
Hudson was one of the original “Kings Road playboys” who won the European Cup Winners Cup with Chelsea before signing for Stoke City in 1974 for an English transfer record of £240,000. But he endured a horrendous run of bad luck after his playing career ended. He was almost killed by being run over by a car in 1997 and needed 70 operations.
Hudson moved to Cyprus but ended up broke due to failed business deals.
Now 70, he said: “I don’t see medals as trophies, they are great reminders of great times. I am happy to share those now by letting it go at auction, especially as Noonans have promised to create a replica for me to keep.”
Peter Preston-Morley, head of the coin department at Noonans, said: “His flamboyant teammates, who included Peter Osgood, Charlie Cooke, John Hollins and Ian Hutchinson, welcomed Hudson as the team’s creative playmaker.
“The FA Cup final replay, at Old Trafford on April 11, 1970, is still considered the most brutal game in the history of English football. It remains second only to the 1966 World Cup Final for viewing figures for a sports broadcast at 28 million, and is among the greatest.”
The sale takes place on June 15.
