When Mark Hudson signed a new three year contract at Huddersfield Town at the tail end of the season, more than a few eyebrows were raised.

But anyone who had their doubts about exactly why the skipper was offered that deal, which allows for a transition from playing to coaching over the coming seasons, should have been at Town's Awards evening earlier this month.

No one in attendance that night was in any doubt about the high esteem in which Hudson is held by the club, or why.

Liked by the management, respected by the players and adored by any fan who spoke to him, the centre back has much to offer Town on and off the field.

That was epitomised by the voting in the Players' Player of the Year award.

Sky Bet Championship - Huddersfield Town (1) v Birmingham City (1) - Joel Lynch celebrates his equaliser with Mark Hudson.

In the fans vote, it was Joel Lynch and Dean Whitehead who were second and third behind Nahki Wells, but neither received a single nomination from their teammates.

The only players to get a mention in that poll? Wells and Hudson.

Players see the game differently to fans, and they vote differently as well. It isn't all about the on-field displays.

Clearly, a certain level of performance is required - Nahki was the comfortable winner, while Hudson turned in some giant performances at the heart of the defence, as well as contributing at key moments in the opposite penalty area.

But the players see each other at close quarters each and every day of the season, and are in a position to examine each contribution far beyond 90 minutes on a Saturday.

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Emyr Huws told the Examiner: “I’d have made him Player of the Season, for his consistency as well as his captaincy.

“Huddy gets everyone together, and you need that type of player around a club.”

David Wagner has made no secret of the fact that he relies on Hudson's influence in the dressing room, and the skipper's leadership, experience and nous has also been invaluable in what is a young squad.

He has an excellent relationship with North Stand Loyal as they seek to improve the atmosphere at the John Smith's Stadium.

At the recent awards evening, Hudson was keen to give a slice of his time to every fan possible, and all came away smiling after a chat and a selfie.

To the media, he's an accommodating and thoughtful interviewee.

Clearly, footballers are bought, sold and retained primarily for their prowess on the grass.

Huddersfield Town skipper Mark Hudson scores against Leeds United last time out

But clubs also look at character. Players and staff are in each other's pockets for large swathes of the season, so working with pleasant personalities is ideal.

And the Town squad is crammed full of those.

But what Hudson brings to the table is a sense of leadership and responsibility, the ability to spark respect and admiration in others, and a desire to help and improve younger members of the side.

All of those things will be useful in his coaching career, and its great news for Town that they will be the ones to benefit when that kicks in.

But he still has a lot to offer on the playing field, and as David Wagner continues the process of reshaping the squad to climb the Championship table he is in no doubt that Hudson remains a vital cog in the machine.

Few who work with him regularly would disagree.