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Stephen Hunt (footballer, born 1981)

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For other people named Stephen Hunt, see Stephen Hunt (disambiguation).

Stephen Patrick Hunt (born 1 August 1981) is an Irish former professional footballer who played as a winger for Crystal Palace, Brentford, Reading, Hull City, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Ipswich Town and Coventry City. At international level, he made 39 appearances scoring once for the Republic of Ireland national team. His younger brother, Noel, was also a footballer.

Stephen Hunt
Hunt with the Republic of Ireland ahead of the UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying Group B game against Russia
Personal information
Full name Stephen Patrick Hunt[1]
Date of birth (1981-08-01) 1 August 1981 (age 43)[1]
Place of birth Portlaoise, Ireland
Height 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)[2]
Position(s) Winger
Youth career
0000–1999 Crystal Palace
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1999–2001 Crystal Palace 3 (0)
2001–2005 Brentford 135 (25)
2005–2009 Reading 155 (17)
2009–2010 Hull City 27 (6)
2010–2013 Wolverhampton Wanderers 56 (7)
2013–2015 Ipswich Town 40 (0)
2016 Coventry City 5 (0)
Total 421 (55)
International career
2000 Republic of Ireland U21 1 (0)
2007–2012 Republic of Ireland 39 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

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Early years

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Hunt became known for his creative and skilful play as well as his work rate as a winger. Although born in Laois, Hunt grew up in Clonea-Power, Waterford. He was a talented under-age hurler and soccer player. He played for Waterford hurlers at under-15 and under-16 levels.[3] Hurling was his first love.[4]

Hunt's first introduction to organised football was when he moved to the Christian Brothers' Secondary School in Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary at the age of 11. During his time at secondary school he also began playing for Waterford soccer side Johnville F.C. and won a Munster Schools Junior Cup with Carrick CBS. This gained Hunt a degree of recognition and he played in the Kennedy Cup with Waterford County. He later excelled for Carrick United at various age levels, before going to England starting his career as a trainee with Crystal Palace. Failing to make an impact on the first team, Hunt had trials with clubs including Dundee United[5] before leaving to join Brentford. In his four years at the West London club, he became an integral part of the team and stood in as captain for Michael Dobson for a run of matches during the 2003–04 season.[6]

In 2005 Hunt rejected a new contract and decided to leave Brentford.[7] After agreeing to join Bradford City,[8] late interest from Reading, then in the Football League Championship, made him change his mind.[9]

Reading

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Hunt was denied more starting appearances in his first Reading season by the form of Bobby Convey. He still made a good contribution, appearing from the bench, as Reading won the Championship title and promotion to the Premiership during the 2005–06 season.

 
Hunt with Reading in 2008

On 14 October 2006, Hunt's knee collided with Chelsea's goalkeeper Petr Čech when the Reading player was lunging at the ball, resulting in Čech undergoing surgery for a depressed fracture of the skull.[10] After the injury, Petr Čech had to wear head protection during every game. Following the incident, Premier League officials, players, pundits, player's representatives and even MPs expressed views either condemning[11] or supporting[12] Hunt and the others involved in the aftermath of the incident. The FA eventually confirmed that no action would be taken against Hunt[13] but, in the meantime, both Hunt and teammate Ibrahima Sonko, involved in a collision in the same match with Čech's replacement Carlo Cudicini, had allegedly received death threats from Chelsea fans.[14][15][16] Cech revealed that while Hunt had been speaking about the incident in the press for months, he hadn't personally contacted or apologized to him.[17] Hunt scored his first Premier League goal in the 6–0 home win over West Ham.

During the January 2008 transfer window, Reading rejected a series of bids (peaking at £5.5 million)[18][19][20][21] from Sunderland for Hunt, but Reading confirmed that they had no intention of selling players at that time.[18][19] On 1 February 2008, Hunt signed a new deal with Reading keeping him at the club until the summer of 2011.[22] In 2007–08, Hunt scored 6 goals in 39 appearances for Reading's first team but could not prevent the club being relegated on goal difference.

On 4 February 2009, Reading confirmed that Hunt had signed a new three-and-a-half-year contract, that would keep him at the club until the summer of 2012.[23] However, after the club failed in their attempt to win an instant return to the Premier League, losing in the playoff semi finals to Burnley, Hunt announced his intention to leave Reading in the hope securing a move back to the Premier League.[24]

Hull City

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On 13 August 2009 it was confirmed that Hunt had signed for Hull City for an undisclosed fee, believed to be around the region of £3.5 million.[25][26] He scored his first goal for the club 28 minutes into his debut against Chelsea on 15 August 2009.[27] This was also the first goal of the 2009–10 Premier League season. However, he was taunted by Chelsea fans throughout the game, due to the incident with Cech. Hunt also scored in his next match, his home debut for Hull City, but they were beaten 5–1 by Tottenham.[28]

In the January transfer window, Hunt was the subject of a £5 million bid from Wolverhampton Wanderers, but the Tigers rejected it.[29] Shortly after, Hunt suffered a foot injury that ruled him out of the run-in.[30] In his absence, the club were relegated amid growing financial worries.[31]

Wolverhampton Wanderers

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On 21 June 2010 Wolverhampton Wanderers signed Hunt on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee, reported to be £3 million.[32] Hunt, still recovering from his foot injury from his time with Hull, did not return to action until several months into the season,[33] making his Wolves debut as a substitute against Chelsea on 23 October 2010.[34] He scored his first goal for the club on 27 November, a 3–2 win against Sunderland.[35]

In the early part of 2011, Hunt suffered calf and hernia injuries which kept him out of action for up to three months.[36][37] He returned from injury for the final five fixtures of the season and scored three minutes from time on the final day of the season against Blackburn Rovers to guarantee Wolves their Premier League safety.[38]

Although undergoing a groin operation,[39] Hunt was largely a regular player for Wolves throughout the 2011–12 season as the club suffered relegation. His campaign back in the Championship was hampered by a persistent hip injury but he played regularly throughout the final months as the team was once again relegated. At the conclusion of the season it was announced that Hunt would be free to leave as his contract had expired.[40] In total he made 66 appearances for the club, scoring eight times.[41]

Ipswich Town

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On 8 November 2013, Hunt signed a short-term deal with Ipswich Town.[42] He made his debut for Ipswich the following day on 9 November, in a 2–3 away win over Blackpool at Bloomfield Road. He made 24 appearances during his first season at the club without scoring.[43]

On 30 June 2014, Hunt signed a further one-year deal with Ipswich.[44] He made his first appearance of the 2014–15 season on 18 October, starting in a 1–1 draw with Blackburn Rovers. He featured less regularly over the course of the season due to the form of wingers Paul Anderson and Jay Tabb. He made 19 appearances during the season, helping Ipswich reach the Championship play-offs.[45] He left Ipswich following the end of the season after the club did not offer him a new deal.[46]

Coventry City

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On 8 January 2016, Hunt signed a short-term deal with League 1 promotion chasing side Coventry City after a short spell as a free agent. He made 5 appearances for the club during the remainder of the season.[47]

He retired from playing football at the end of the 2015–16 season.[48]

He has since founded his own football agency, and looks after the needs of a whole host of players across the UK and Europe.

International career

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Hunt (far right) during a "welcome ceremony" for the Irish squad in Sopot before UEFA Euro 2012

Hunt earned his first cap for the Republic of Ireland in their 2–1 win away to San Marino on 7 February 2007, coming on as a substitute.[49] Later that year he was sent off following a challenge on Jan Polák in a match against the Czech Republic on 12 September 2007.[50]

The midfielder became a regular member of Giovanni Trapattoni's team that narrowly failed to qualify for the 2010 World Cup. Hunt scored his first, and only international goal through a late penalty in a 2–3 friendly defeat to Poland at Croke Park on 19 November 2008.[51] He was subsequently selected as part of Ireland's squad for the Euro 2012 tournament but did not play in any of their games.[52]

Personal life

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Hunt has a sister and three brothers, Noel, James and Anthony[53] and is married to Kevin Doyle's cousin, Joanne.[54] He attended CBS Carrick-on-Suir in County Tipperary.[53]

Career statistics

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Club

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Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Crystal Palace 1999–2000[55] First Division 3 0 0 0 0 0 — 3 0
Brentford 2001–02[56] Second Division 35 4 1 0 1 0 4[a] 0 41 4
2002–03[57] Second Division 42 7 4 2 2 0 2[b] 1 50 10
2003–04[58] Second Division 40 11 2 0 1 0 2[b] 1 45 12
2004–05[59] League One 19 3 4 0 0 0 1[b] 0 24 3
Total 135 25 11 2 4 0 9 2 160 29
Reading 2005–06[60] Championship 38 2 4 1 4 0 — 46 3
2006–07[61] Premier League 35 4 1 0 2 0 — 38 4
2007–08[62] Premier League 37 5 2 2 1 0 — 40 7
2008–09[63] Championship 46 6 0 0 2 1 1[c] 0 49 7
Total 155 17 7 3 9 1 1 0 172 21
Hull City 2009–10[64] Premier League 27 6 0 0 0 0 — 27 6
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2010–11[65] Premier League 20 3 3 1 1 0 — 24 4
2011–12[66] Premier League 24 3 2 0 2 0 — 28 3
2012–13[67] Championship 12 1 0 0 2 0 — 14 1
Total 56 7 5 1 5 0 0 0 66 8
Ipswich Town 2013–14[43] Championship 23 0 1 0 0 0 — 24 0
2014–15[45] Championship 17 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 19 0
Total 40 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 43 0
Coventry City 2015–16[47] League One 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0
Career total 421 55 26 6 18 1 10 2 476 64
  1. ^ One appearance in Football League Trophy, three appearances in Second Division play-offs
  2. ^ a b c Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  3. ^ Appearance in Championship play-offs

International

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Appearances and goals by national team and year[68]
National team Year Apps Goals
Republic of Ireland 2007 9 0
2008 6 1
2009 10 0
2010 1 0
2011 11 0
2012 2 0
Total 39 1
Scores and results list Republic of Ireland's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Hunt goal.
List of international goals scored by Stephen Hunt
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition Ref.
1 19 November 2008 Croke Park, Dublin, Republic of Ireland   Poland 1–2 2–3 Friendly [69]

Honours

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Reading

Republic of Ireland

Individual

References

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  1. ^ a b Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2009). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2009–10. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84596-474-0.
  2. ^ "Premier League Player Profile". Premier League. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
  3. ^ "Stephen Hunt signs for Club Déise". Munster Express. 16 June 2008. Retrieved 27 January 2009.
  4. ^ Crawford, Caroline (31 July 2012). "'I'll never give up on the hurling dream, it was my first love' – Stephen Hunt". Irish Independent. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  5. ^ "Decision Time for Trial Trio". Dundee United F.C. 22 January 2001. Archived from the original on 5 February 2008. Retrieved 23 January 2009.
  6. ^ "Brentford | News | Latest News | Latest News | STAND-IN SKIPPER UNBEATEN". world.brentfordfc.co.uk. 19 January 2004. Retrieved 19 February 2018.
  7. ^ "Brentford | News | Latest News | Latest News | MARTIN'S SQUAD FOR NEXT SEASON". world.brentfordfc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 12 February 2018. Retrieved 15 February 2018.
  8. ^ getreading (28 June 2005). "HUNT COMPLETES ROYALS MOVE". getreading. Retrieved 15 February 2018.
  9. ^ "Reading | News | Latest News | Latest News | Hunt joins RFC – Copp's views, full factfile & how to watch his 21 goals and more". world.readingfc.co.uk. Retrieved 15 February 2018.
  10. ^ "Keeper Cech has surgery on skull". BBC Sport. BBC. 15 October 2006. Retrieved 23 January 2009.
  11. ^ "Mourinho angry as keepers injured". BBC Sport. BBC. 14 October 2006. Retrieved 23 January 2009.
  12. ^ "Coppell gives his views on Chelsea game, Hunt collision, ref Riley and more". readingfc.co.uk. 18 October 2006. Retrieved 23 January 2009.
  13. ^ "Reading/Chelsea statement". thefa.com. 19 October 2006. Archived from the original on 3 December 2008. Retrieved 23 January 2009.
  14. ^ "Reading duo receive death threats". BBC Sport. BBC. 16 November 2006. Retrieved 23 January 2009.
  15. ^ Kempson, Russell (17 November 2006). "Reading pair get death threats as Chelsea row turns sinister". The Times. London. Retrieved 23 January 2009.[dead link]
  16. ^ "Statement on Reading Threats". www.chelseafc.com. 16 November 2006. Archived from the original on 16 December 2018. Retrieved 23 January 2009.
  17. ^ ORourke, Peter. "Cech upset with Hunt". SkySports. Archived from the original on 4 September 2022.
  18. ^ a b "Reading rule out Hunt departure". BBC Sport. BBC. 31 December 2007. Retrieved 23 January 2009.
  19. ^ a b "Reading hoping to hang on to Stephen Hunt". The Times. London. 31 December 2007. Retrieved 23 January 2009.[dead link]
  20. ^ "Blacks Cats fail in second bid for Royals ace". Sky Sports. 7 January 2008. Archived from the original on 14 August 2009. Retrieved 23 January 2009.
  21. ^ Jacob, Gary; Caulkin, George (24 January 2008). "Tottenham step up bid to clinch deal for Tiago". The Times. London. Retrieved 23 January 2009.[dead link]
  22. ^ "Hunt signs a new contract". readingfc.co.uk. 1 February 2008. Retrieved 23 January 2009.
  23. ^ "Hunt to extend contract". readingfc.co.uk. 4 February 2009. Retrieved 4 February 2009.
  24. ^ "Hunt seeks 'fresh start'". msnsport.skysports.com. 9 June 2009. Retrieved 9 June 2009.
  25. ^ "Duo Complete City Moves". Hull City A.F.C. 13 August 2009. Retrieved 8 June 2013.
  26. ^ "Hull complete Hunt & Ghilas deals". BBC Sport. BBC. 13 August 2009. Retrieved 13 August 2009.
  27. ^ "Chelsea 2 – 1 Hull". BBC Sport. BBC. 15 August 2009. Retrieved 9 January 2010.
  28. ^ Lyon, Sam (18 August 2009). "Hull 1 – 5 Tottenham". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 18 August 2009.
  29. ^ "Hull reject Wolves transfer bid for Stephen Hunt". BBC Sport. BBC. 1 February 2010.
  30. ^ "Stephen Hunt injury hits Hull survival hopes". BBC Sport. 13 April 2010.
  31. ^ "Hull reshuffle board to deal with financial issues". BBC Sport. 11 May 2010.
  32. ^ "Wolves sign winger Stephen Hunt from Hull". BBC Sport. 21 June 2010.
  33. ^ "Stephen Hunt hoping to make impact for Wolves". BBC Sport. 13 October 2010.
  34. ^ "Chelsea 2–0 Wolves". BBC Sport. 23 October 2010.
  35. ^ "Wolves 3–2 Sunderland". BBC Sport. 27 November 2010.
  36. ^ "Injured Wolves midfielder Hunt eyes comeback date". BBC Sport. 10 March 2011.
  37. ^ "Wolves winger Stephen Hunt to undergo hernia surgery". BBC Sport. 7 April 2011.
  38. ^ "Wolverhampton 2–3 Blackburn". BBC Sport. 22 May 2011.
  39. ^ "Wolves' Stephen Hunt has successful groin operation". BBC Sport. 5 April 2012.
  40. ^ "Wolves: Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Stephen Hunt released". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 17 May 2013.
  41. ^ "Games played by Stephen Hunt in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  42. ^ "Town Confirm Hunt Deal". TWTD.co.uk. 8 November 2013.
  43. ^ a b "Games played by Stephen Hunt in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  44. ^ McCarthy Confirms Hunt Signing New Deal – Ipswich Town News | TWTD.co.uk
  45. ^ a b "Games played by Stephen Hunt in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  46. ^ "No New Deals For Five". Ipswich Town FC. 18 May 2015.
  47. ^ a b "Games played by Stephen Hunt in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  48. ^ Delaney, Miguel (29 May 2016). "'There was nothing else after football, I was making it and that was it' – Stephen Hunt". Irish Independent. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
  49. ^ "San Marino 1–2 Rep of Ireland". BBC Sport. 7 February 2007.
  50. ^ "Czech Republic 1–0 Rep of Ireland". BBC Sport. BBC. 12 September 2007. Retrieved 23 January 2009.
  51. ^ "Ireland suffer defeat against clinical Poland side". FAI. 18 June 2009. Retrieved 18 June 2009.
  52. ^ "Euro 2012: Defender Kevin Foley left out of Republic squad". BBC Sport. 29 May 2012.
  53. ^ a b "Brentford Football Club". Archived from the original on 11 August 2002. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  54. ^ "'Jenny knew I was hiding the truth and she said I had to come clean' – Kevin Doyle sits down with Stephen Hunt". independent.ie. Independent IE. 7 January 2018. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
  55. ^ "Games played by Stephen Hunt in 1999/2000". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  56. ^ "Games played by Stephen Hunt in 2001/2002". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  57. ^ "Games played by Stephen Hunt in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  58. ^ "Games played by Stephen Hunt in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  59. ^ "Games played by Stephen Hunt in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  60. ^ "Games played by Stephen Hunt in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  61. ^ "Games played by Stephen Hunt in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  62. ^ "Games played by Stephen Hunt in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  63. ^ "Games played by Stephen Hunt in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  64. ^ "Games played by Stephen Hunt in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  65. ^ "Games played by Stephen Hunt in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  66. ^ "Games played by Stephen Hunt in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  67. ^ "Games played by Stephen Hunt in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  68. ^ "Steve Hunt". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
  69. ^ "Republic of Ireland 2–3 Poland". BBC Sport. 19 November 2008. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
  70. ^ "Robbie Keane earns Ireland deciding win over Scotland in Nations Cup". Guardian. 29 May 2011. Retrieved 31 May 2011.
  71. ^ "Reading's Hunt wins monthly award". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 13 January 2009. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  72. ^ "Giggs earns prestigious PFA award". BBC Sport. 26 April 2009. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  73. ^ "Hunt voted the official readingfc.co.uk / Courage player of the month". readingfc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 16 February 2018. Retrieved 23 January 2009.
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