Mark Hudson came through the academy at Premier League side Middlesbrough, one that continues to churn out quality youngsters year after year, but got his breakthrough on-loan at Chesterfield. He signed permanently for the Saltergate club in March 2003 later and went on to make over 100 appearances in the blue shirt.
He opted to move Huddersfield Town in the summer of 2005 when his contract at Chesterfield expired and spent two seasons with the Terriers before joining current club Rotherham United. This season the Millers were always facing a struggle as they began the season on minus 17 points, but they have managed to confound the odds and have raced clear in record time. They now have an outside chance of challenging for the League Two play-off places.
Hudson spoke to Ransacker’s Chris Galea about cleaning boots for both a Brazilian and a cockney Irishman whilst learning his trade at Middlesbrough.
Q. What boots do you wear?
A. I wear Adidas Predators.
Q. Why did you choose them?
A. Well I’ve worn them all my career really. My agent started me off on them and I’ve just never wanted to change from them.
Q. Is there a lot of difference between boots?
A. Yeah, definitely because there are some boots that I just can’t get away with wearing them. I’ve got thin feet, so the Predators fit like a dream, but other brands make them for the wider foot and that just wouldn’t suit me. It is all about individual preference I think. The Predators seem to suit me the best really, but others may dislike them because they aren’t as lightweight as some other boots.
Q. There was a time when coloured football boots were non-existent, but they see
m to have secured their place in the game now, what is your view on them [Hudson wears white boots at the moment]?
A. I don’t mind the coloured boots really, but I stick to either the black or white ones usually. You see these illuminous greens and bright oranges, but you have to be a right good player to wear them.
Q. Recently Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner set a new trend by wearing pink boots, would you wear them?
A. No, not a chance.
Q. Who cleans the boots?
A. We have to clean the boots ourselves at Rotherham, but we had boot boys at Middlesbrough, Chesterfield and Huddersfield. It is good to do them yourself though because you know what is happening to them.
Q. Were you a boot boy yourself whilst at Middlesbrough?
A. Yeah I was, between the ages of 16-18.
Q. Any particular players you remember cleaning the boots of?
A. Yeah, I was Andy Townsend’s boot boy for a while and he had Diadoras. I also did Emerson’s as well, the Brazilian midfielder – he was a great player.
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About the author
James is an experienced football journalist who edits two leading Premier League club mags. He has worked for Sky Sports and is endlessly complaining about shin splints. And Mark Lawrenson. His favourite boot is the Adidas Predator Powerswerve. Although it's rumored that he once owned a pair of Nicks boots!
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