A FORMER footballing talent whose team Headington United - the forerunners to Oxford United - famously took on the might of Bolton Wanderer's in an FA Cup fourth round tie has died at the age of 91.

Ernie Hudson, an electrician throughout his life, was a half-back for the then part-time squad who squared up against the first division side in January 1954 in a match which ended in a 4-2 defeat.

Born in Carlisle on November 23, 1926, Mr Hudson spent most of his childhood living in Edinburgh before he trained as an electrician and went on to indulge his footballing passion by joining East Fife, his very first footballing team.

He moved to Oxford in the early 1950's and began working for the Southern Electric Board, while joining Headington United in 1952.

Just three years later, he married his first and only wife Shelagh in February 1955 at Headington Quarry. The pair would later divorce in 1980.

It was on January 30 1954 when some 16,870 spectators squeezed into the Manor Road football ground, Headington, to see the FA Cup fourth round tie between giants from the north and the plucky part-timers.

In its match report at the time, the Oxford Mail singled out Mr Hudson as one of the team's star players on the day and wrote: "Every player deserved praise for his do-or-die performance."

He was described as a strong, well-built player who was good in the air and also powerful in the tackle.

He made 117 appearances for the club and scored one goal throughout his playing career which ended in 1957.

Living in Headley Way for most of his life he finally moved back to his native Carlisle in 2010, a number of years after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease and dementia.

He spent his last year's at The Laurel's care home until his death on Friday, April 28.

He is survived by his son Stuart and his two grandsons Gavin and Cameron. A private family funeral will be held in Carlisle on May 19.