NORTON-based Chris Hudson is hoping to make it into league football after a successful spell in Norway.

The 26-year-old centre back has returned to Ryedale after a one-and-a-half year stint at second division Larvik Fotboll. Now, the former Pickering, Whitby and Harrogate Town defender is hoping to break into the professional game in this country after becoming a fans' favourite in Scandinavia.

With the Norwegian football season having ended in October, Chris has been building up his fitness again by training with Conference side Scarborough.

And he had a three-day trial just before Christmas at Cambridge United, whom Malton-based teenager Brian Dutton recently signed for from Pickering Town.

Cambridge have invited him down for another week's trial, starting today, in which Chris may feature in a reserve game.

If Cambridge decide not to take him on, Chris said a possible trial at Huddersfield was in the pipeline.

His trip to Norway was very much a journey into the unknown for the former Brooklyn Juniors player when his former boss at Harrogate Town, Mick Hennigan, recommended him to Larvik in the spring of last year. Hennigan, who was assistant-manager to Howard Wilkinson, had also joined Larvik as assistant boss.

Chris made a big impact at the club. Larvik were struggling at the foot of the table when he arrived but, by the end of the season, they had finished midtable.

And in his second season, despite a crippling injury crisis in which at least seven players broke bones, the club just missed out on promotion. Chris was one of those who got injured, breaking a bone in his foot and causing him to miss eight weeks.

Chris's aggressive but honest approach went down well with the fans.

He said: "They took to me really well. I used to shout quite a bit and gained quite a fierce reputation. I think they liked my 'English' style. They were pleading with me to stay before I left."

The fact that he was English certainly did him no harm.

"The Norwegians model their game on the English one. They like to play football but it is also quite physical. There is a massive following for the England international team, who are the second team for many Norwegians. There is also a big interest in the English league."

Chris was joined part way through his stay by his fiancee, Rebecca, and his dog, Toby. Rebecca, who he marries in July next year, set up a successful massage business at the training centre where Larvik trained.

Updated: 12:58 Monday, December 29, 2003