NEWPORT County AFC endured a miserable time under a coach named Hudson back in 2011 but things are going far better for another Hudson in America, writes Andrew Penman.

Newport-born Sian Hudson, no relation to former Exiles boss Anthony, is enjoying success as general manager and assistant coach at the Colorado Springs Pride Women’s League soccer team.

Hudson left Newport for the United States aged 18 and she’s been in Colorado Springs ever since after making the move thanks to specialist firm Challenger Sports.

The 33-year-old, who played for the Wales women’s side as a teenager under her maiden name Sian Rogers, has been instrumental in steadily building the Pride Soccer Club.

“Soccer has been my passion for as long as I can remember,” Hudson told the Colorado Springs Business Journal.

“I played for my national team at every level before my career was ended by injury and I came out here and became a coach.

“Pride has acquired a W League franchise, which is essentially one tier below the women’s professional division,” added the former Duffryn High School pupil.

“It’s really exciting to get to bring this to Colorado Springs, especially with the soccer buzz going on with the World Cup this summer.”

Jurgen Klinsmann’s US national men’s team may have bowed out of Brazil 2014 at the last-16 stage but their exploits have boosted the appeal of the sport Stateside and Hudson is pleased to be playing an active role.

“I’ve been with Pride for 13 years, and in 13 years we’ve gone from a statewide competitor to a nationally competitive program,” she said.

“We’re winning state championships and competing for regional championships.

“We’re at some of the highest level soccer tournaments in the country on the youth side and in the past four years alone we’ve placed more than 100 girls on college scholarships.”

Anthony Hudson, who was born in the US when his father Alan was playing for the Seattle Sounders, is also enjoying success abroad.

The 33-year-old, who was sacked by County in September 2011, is now manager of the Bahrain men’s national team.

In November last year he led the team to qualification for the 2015 Asian Cup in Australia.

In January Bahrain secured their highest finish at the West Asian tournament, beating Kuwait to the bronze medal.

And he is now being linked with the New Zealand national manager position, proving there is life after Newport County AFC.