Two former U's players pass away
Oxford United are sad to announce that two former players died last week: Alan Willey and Ernie Hudson.Willey joined United from Bridgwater Town after impressing during an FA Cup tie in 1961. “I must have had a good game because Arthur Turner came and asked me to join Oxford and I enjoyed five good years at the club before I left for Millwall. I really loved my time there," he told us when interviewed two years ago at his nursing home in York.“My abiding memory is the two goals I scored playing against York at the Manor. We were 4-2 down at half time but we staged a great fight back and I scored two of the best goals of my career in that second half to make it 4-4 at the end."
Willey was the first subsitute to appear for United (on 18th September 1965, against Bristol Rovers) and was in the side that achieved United's current record Football League win, 7-0 against Barrow on 19th December 1964. His 48 goals for the club include four against Gravesend & Northfleet in the Southern League and a 13-minute hat-trick against Mansfield in April 1963. He made 128 appearances for the club before leaving for Millwall in 1966.
Hudson, an electrician by trade, scored one goal for United in 117 appearances as a half-back between 1952 and 1957, after joining from East Fife. He was described as a strong, well-built player, good in the air and powerful in the tackle.
Our condolences go to the families and friends of both players.