AN ICONIC football commentator has made the “most difficult decision” to announce his retirement.
Former Newcastle United star Ray Hudson is leaving commentating behind and leaving broadcasters CBS Sports and SiriusXM FC Radio.
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Hudson, 70, made the announcement that he was retiring on social media.
He wrote: “Very sad today, I retire from @CBSSports & @SiriusXM FC.
“Thank you all for sharing so many magesteeerial memories, wherein the beautiful game & players, beguiled & bewildered us.
“Sincere thanks to everyone I worked with; you inspired me. To everyone out there, I love you & I’ll miss you.”
Hudson stepped into broadcasting full-time after his final managerial role at DC United in 2004.
In recent years, he has been working on Sirius XM Radio as the host of “The Football Show”.
He had also been a part of CBS Sports’ regular coverage for the Uefa Champions League since 2022.
He told The Athletic: “It is the most difficult decision I have ever had to make in my professional life.
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“This was really hard, and there are private reasons for it in some ways that I’d rather not talk about.
“Walking away from something that you love so much it’s heartbreaking.
“But I know this is the right thing for Joan (his wife) and I.
“The time to step away is now, but I will say I did change my mind so many times over the last few months.”
Fans reacted to his news by wishing him well in his retirement.
One posted: “But you don’t retire from being maestro.”
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A second wrote: “Gliding into retirement like an eel covered in peanut oil. We will miss you goat.”
A third commented: “I salute you, wishing you the very best, the Leonardo Da Vinci of commentary..”
A fourth said: “You’re a legend, Ray.”
Another added: “You are legendary, Ray. Enjoy retirement!”
During his playing career, he made 25 appearances for the Magpies between 1974 and 1977.
He scored twice for the club, with both goals coming in separate games against Derby County.
In 1978, he made the switch to the US and joined the Fort Lauderdale Strikers in the NASL.
He made played 151 times for the club before he had a short spell back in Europe with German side Union Solingen between 1983 and 1984.
He would return to the Strikers in 1984, but only after they had relocated from Florida to Minnesota.
Before ending hanging up his boots he would enjoy spells in Canada with the Edmonton Brick Men as well as the Tampa Bay Rowdies.
His first entrance into football commentating was for the Miami Fusion in the MLS expansion during the 2000 season.
He was later named the team’s head coach before he was sacked the following year.