Hudson returns to Fulham

Last updated : 23 October 2003 By The Chairman

Mark Hudson has played his last game for Athletic. 21-year-old Mark was on-loan and will return to Fulham after refusing an offer to stay at Boundary Park. Fulham boss Chris Coleman has said that Hudson will be given a chance in the Premiership before the end of this season and the youngster decided to turn down Iain Dowie’s offer to remain for the rest of the season. Hudson hopes to go back out on loan in the First Division or wait for his chance at Fulham. Hudson made 12 appearances for Athletic and helped them to a 10 match unbeaten run during his spell with the club.

Dowie will be sorry to lose the talented youngster and said, “I’m very sorry to see Mark Hudson leave because he was fantastic in his two months at the club. It will be a big loss to us. He's a top quality player and that's why I brought him to the club. He thinks he's developed which is pleasing for me to hear but he feels he's maybe got an opportunity of trying at a different level or maybe even a chance at Fulham and I understand that. He was ruled out for Saturday anyway (through injury) and that was his loan up."

"I’ve thanked Mark in front of the lads and I would like to put my gratitude to him on record. His decision is perfectly understandable and we hope to see him playing at a better level sooner rather than later. He’s a good player who can become top class, so it’s nice to have had a small role in helping his development. He's said some nice things about us.”