Hudson out to make his Mark
Charlton new boy Mark Hudson is hoping to be the missing part of Alan Pardew's promotion jigsaw as the Addicks aim to return to the Premier League at the second time of asking.
Pardew completed his first signing of the summer when he swooped to capture commanding centre-half Hudson on a free transfer from rivals Crystal Palace at the end of May.
And the former Eagles skipper, who penned a three-year deal with Charlton, is now looking to repay Pardew's faith in him by helping the Addicks back to the promised land of the Premier League.
Charlton finished in a disappointing 11th place in the Championship last season, but Hudson, who was an influential presence as the Eagles reached the play-offs, is confident things can be better this time around.
He told the official website: "Obviously I need to get in the team first, so I've got to work hard in pre-season, hit the ground running and hopefully get a place in the side.
"But then we've got to look for promotion - that has to be the aim. The team just missed out on the play-offs last season so I think they just need that extra little bit to help them this time.
"I've met a couple of my new teammates and I've obviously played against a few of them quite a bit, but I'll get to know the rest of the squad in a few weeks when we return for pre-season training."
Guildford-born Hudson featured in every league match bar one last season, although Palace's play-off bid was to end in disappointment when the Eagles crashed out 4-2 on aggregate to Bristol City in the semi-finals.
The rivalry between Charlton and Palace is well documented, and Hudson has already taken flak from Eagles boss Neil Warnock - perhaps inevitably - following his departure from Selhurst Park.
But the former Fulham man believes the chance to join the Addicks was too good an opportunity to turn down.
The 26-year-old said: "The rivalry really wasn't a factor. There's always rivalry between clubs and that wasn't going to stop me moving. The fans will make their own decisions and I've just got to get on with trying to do well for Charlton.
"Hopefully the fans will like the fact I left Palace for them and get behind me! And hopefully they'll take to the way I play, because I always give everything. I'm sure I won't get the best reception from the Palace fans when Charlton play them, but that's not something I'm going to worry about.
"I didn't take much notice of what Neil Warnock had to say and I certainly don't worry about those sort of things. Everyone's entitled to their own opinion. I'm just going to get on with my move, enjoy it and get on with preparing for next season."
He added: "The main reason I joined Charlton was because of the size of the club. It's a big club and they've got a big following. The manager also gets the team playing good football.
"I played them twice last season with Palace and the football Charlton played against us was good, and they're a club I think has always been associated with playing good football. It wasn't a big decision, really, I was happy to be wanted by Charlton."
A threat in the opposing penalty area from set-pieces, six-foot-one Hudson scored seven goals in total during his time with Palace.
And he is confident his defensive attributes will also stand Charlton in good stead next season, stating: "I'm consistent, I'm solid, I like a tackle and I like to get the ball down. Obviously that's why I'm here as the manager has seen what I can do. Hopefully, we'll get a good start and the fans can take to me early on."
Hudson started his career with the Cottagers but made only three first-team appearances, spending time on loan at Oldham Athletic and Palace before securing a permanent switch to the Eagles in summer 2004.
"I came through the youth ranks at Fulham but there was a lot of money flying about at the time and they were spending big money to bring in any player they wanted," said Hudson.
"They were spending £13m on the likes of Steve Marlet and there were very few youngsters that made it through to the first team on a regular basis. Sean Davis made it, as did Zat Knight, but apart from that, there weren't too many. I just wanted to play first-team football elsewhere and that's what happened."
Fans will be able to see new signing Hudson in action for the Addicks next term by purchasing a 2008/09 season ticket.
However, existing season-ticket holders are reminded that the deadline for securing their usual seat is the close of business on Friday.
Places at The Valley next season are available from just £290 adults, and are only £125 U18s and £99 U11s.
And everyone who purchases a season ticket prior to August 1st will gain the same seat in the Premier League in 2009/10 free of charge should the Addicks gain promotion, thanks to the club's pioneering season-ticket offer.
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