Alan Hudsons View

This one’s for you Matthew

I didn’t go to Stamford Bridge for the match as l was guest of Ray Baxter at Sutton United for their 1-1 draw with Walsall.

It was a marvellous day out and not the first at this warm and welcoming football club. I experienced the kind of welcome l have never experienced at both Chelsea and Stoke City and when you think back (properly, sensibly and from the heart) as the most local Chelsea player in the history of the club it’s quite chilling as to where real appreciation begins and ends?

The real reason l write this is l am staggered as to the not making a huge deal of this being a massive match, yet Matthew was not top of the list at Stamford Bridge, the man who lived and died for HIS football team.

There was no mention of him as l sat with some lovely people (mainly CFC ladies and gents) and yet Matthew was not mentioned.

I think that l have made my point as this gentleman plunged his very own personal fortune into the club he had dreamed of taking to where it actually went – although the club would have stayed the way it was when Jimmy Greaves, Peter Osgood and l joined them!I

raised my glass the following day when reminded by my son Allen who had enjoyed a great lunch with Matthew and his father, me, ten days before this unforgettable tragedy- obviously not “unforgettable” for those who supposedly adore Chelsea Football Club, a very sad day for two reasons, but the main one Matthew not being at the Bridge on Saturday while others abused by the club sat at Sutton enjoying such a warm and special welcome.

Martin Knight and l donated The Working Man’s Ballet – published by Martin’s London Books – to the club raffle and l picked the winner- and no l didn’t win it, l have a special copy of Tony Waddington’s aptly named title in my cabinet alongside My Turn (Johan Cruyff), Papillon (Henri Charriere) and My Way (Frank Sinatra)….Matthew – this one’s for you from Alan Hudson and Kevin Conlan with love xxxxx