This 140-year-old Sunderland rugby kit has been discovered - and it's in almost pristine condition!

The descendants of Alfred Hudson, who live in the south of England, were looking in an ottoman for interesting items when they discovered a rare find right at the bottom.

It was the complete kit that Alfred wore when he played for Sunderland, right down to the cap and scarf.

The shirt, shorts and socks had also been preserved in near perfect state and now the find has been highlighted to the Echo by Sunderland historian Keith Gregson.

He said: “In March 1881, Alfred Hudson scored two of the three tries which secured Sunderland Football Club the Durham County Challenge Cup.

“This was the inaugural running of the competition and evidence is that Alfred was a fixture in Sunderland’s first 15 between 1875 and 1885.”

Keith added: “There is evidence that Alfred began playing for Sunderland Football Club in his early 20s in the mid-1870s and was most heavily involved from 1879 to 1882 when he was in his mid-20s.”

Just weeks ago, Alfred’s great granddaughter Lucy Prichard contacted Keith because she ‘wanted to find out more about the sporting prowess of her ancestor’.

Keith added: "The provenance was immaculate as the kit had been stored in the same place as some of his everyday clothing which bore his initials. In addition two of his surviving grandchildren are adamant that these were ‘grandfather’s’.”

Keith added: “This is the oldest complete set of club kit that we have seen. It appears to be in immaculate condition which is testament to the care and attention shown to it by the Hudson family. The colours appear to be unfaded, which suggests it has been kept in the dark.

"Sunderland Rugby Football Club then and now exists at the heart of its local community and this find is a wonderful link to the past and symbol of continuity over 140 years”.

Writer and researcher Keith has studied many aspects of Sunderland Cricket and (Rugby) Football Club based at Ashbrooke.

Lucy said her great grandfather’s kit was ‘all together’ at the bottom of an ottoman chest. We are keen to keep it all because it has meant so much for so long.”

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