Independent Rs Messageboard

[Steve Russell]

Alf Parkinson told me some time ago about a player who had sadly died whilst he was at QPR.
He recalled that there was a large crowd in the Bush the day of his funeral.

According to the Memorial Match programme, Stanley Hudson was born in Fulham on the
10th February, 1924. He died on the 21st June, 1951 aged just 27.

There is an interesting story in the home programme against Fulham in 1949 about how
Stan first got involved at Rangers.

‘Stan first took an interest in Queen’s Park Rangers when he learned that his school chum George Powell,
had transferred his affections from Craven Cottage to Loftus Road. On being demobbed,
Stan called at this ground and asked for a trial. This was in August, 1947.

He played several times for our second team that season and on September 25th last, he
was signed as a professional. His first meeting with our Manager, however, had taken place
four years earlier in rather amusing circumstances.

Mr Mangnall and Mr Alf Ridyard were on Police duty in Hammersmith Broadway and decided
to question a lad in civilian clothes, obviously of military age, who had been standing around
the Broadway for some time, thinking he might have been a deserter.

After looking at the lad’s papers, Mr Mangnall was satisfied that he was in fact, a
Merchant Seaman, on leave. That lad was Stan Hudson and when he came to the ground
the incident was recalled, so they gave a trial to the lad whom they had tried to send for
trial four years ago.’

He soon became known as ‘Soapy’ after the well known brand of soap and made his
1st team debut in September 1948 against Brentford. Stan went on to make 10 appearances
and scored 4 goals that season. He also played 22 times for the Reserves and netted 8 times.

The following season which tragically was to be his last, he made 13 1st team appearances
and scored 4 goals. Additionally, he played 37 times in various Reserve, Combination Cup and
Midweek League games and scored 28 times. Stan became ill and was then forced to retire.

The Club stated in the West Ham programme at the start of the 1951 – 52 Season: ‘All supporters
will have learned with deep regret of the passing of Stanley Hudson.

Our heart felt sympathies go out to his widow and young son. The Club have decided to set up a
Trust Fund to secure to some extent, the future of “Young Stan” and in due course a match
will be arranged for this purpose. More about this when further details have been settled.’