Name: Hugh 'Hughie' WilsonNickname: "Lalty"
Country: :

Scotland
Club:
SunderlandPosition: ★
DMF,
CMF,
AMF,
SSSide: RF/BS (mainly right)
Age: 22-26 years (18/03/1869)
Height: 180 cm
Weight: 83 kg*
Attack:
76Defence:
80Balance:
86Stamina:
85Top Speed:
79Acceleration:
76Response:
84Agility:
77Dribble Accuracy:
78Dribble Speed:
75Short Pass Accuracy:
81Short Pass Speed:
72Long Pass Accuracy:
78Long Pass Speed:
70Shot Accuracy:
77Shot Power:
82Shot Technique:
76Free Kick Accuracy:
68Curling:
71Header:
78Jump:
79Technique:
77Aggression:
78Mentality:
88Goalkeeper Skills:
50Team Work:
85Injury Tolerance:
ACondition:
6Weak Foot Accuracy:
5Weak Foot Frequency:
4Consistency:
7Growth type: Early/Lasting
CARDS:P12 – Enforcer
S09 – Covering
S13 – Long Throw
SPECIAL ABILITIES: Long Throw - Covering
Attack/Defence Awareness Card: Balanced Hughie Wilson was a prominent Scottish footballer of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, best known for his influential spells at Third Lanark, Sunderland, and Bradford City. Born in Mauchline, Scotland in 1869, Wilson first made his name with Third Lanark, where his performances earned him a move to Sunderland in 1890. He became a vital part of the club's golden era, contributing to three Football League Championship wins (1891–92, 1892–93, 1894–95) during what was famously dubbed the “Team of All the Talents.” After 227 appearances and 42 goals with Sunderland, Wilson later joined Third Lanark again and then moved to Bradford City, where he became the club’s first captain upon their founding in 1903. He also earned caps for Scotland, although his early appearances were declared unofficial due to a registration issue between English and Scottish FAs.
Hughie Wilson was a commanding and versatile player, renowned for his intelligence, physicality, and all-around effectiveness on the pitch. As the field general of Sunderland’s “Team of All the Talents,” he controlled the tempo as a half back or inside-forward, displaying exceptional anticipation in defense and a natural ability to read the game. His famous long throw-ins — described as “unsurpassed” and “often worth a free kick” — gave his side a unique attacking weapon, frequently creating chances for prolific forwards. Standing out as both long-striding and industrious, Wilson was admired for his resourcefulness, work ethic, and reliability in all phases of play. While he started his international career as an inside-forward, he eventually covered almost every outfield role, even appearing as a full-back late in his career — a testament to his versatility and stamina. Often referred to as perhaps the first true utility player, Wilson's presence anchored Sunderland's golden era, and his rare combination of tactical acumen, strength, and leadership made him a player “worth his place” in any era.
'Soccer: a history of the world's most popular game' wrote:
Hugh Wilson was the field general for Sunderland during its glory years. His great anticipation on defense and supreme skill throwing the ball in from the touchline enabled forwards John Campbell and Jimmy Millar to concentrate on scoring, which they did in great abundance.
'All the Lads: a Complete Who"s Who of Sunderland A.F.C.
' wrote:
Hughie Wilson is a Sunderland immortal: he captained the celebrated ‘Team of All the Talents’, leading by example. For Wilson was a big man in all respects - longstriding, resourceful, sound in all aspects of his craft and, unlike many stars, always hard working.
'A Scottish football hall of fame
' wrote:
Like so many of his generation, ‘Lalty’ Wilson had a scant international career despite a splendid professional life ‘in pursuit of the leather’, as the contemporary phrase had it. A big, strong man, he could, and did, play anywhere on the field and even though he began with Scotland as an inside-forward on either flank, he ended his career with Third Lanark playing more often as full-back. He might lay claim to the title of the first utility player. He had amazing vitality and might have played all positions'‘at once if really called on. He had a mighty throw and his shies from the touchline were often worth a free kick to his team.
'The Daily Telegraph football chronicle : a season-by-season account of the soccer stories that made the headlines from 1863 to the present day' wrote:
But the dominant personality of their side was right-half Hugh Wilson. His anticipation in defence was legendary, his throw from the touchline unsurpassed, and his shot as deadly as any forward’s.
'Third Lanark Football Club' wrote:
Undoubtedly the man of the match was Third’s Hugh Wilson, whose passing was perfection. His shooting power won the Cup for Thirds.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hughie_Wilsonhttp://ryehillfootball.co.uk/stories/hugh-wilson-a-man-amongst-men/http://ryehillfootball.co.uk/matches/sunderland-3-v-0-accrington-1894/https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/2018/2/10/16994658/the-tale-of-hugh-wilson-the-greatest-half-back-sunderland-ever-had-who-went-onto-bristol-city