Stephen Hunt (footballer, born 1981)

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
Date of birth	1 August 1981
Place of birth	Portlaoise, Ireland
Height	1.72 m (5 ft 7 ^1⁄2 in)[1]
Playing position	Winger
Youth career
	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)
National team^‡
2000	Republic of Ireland U21	1	(0)
2007–2012	Republic of Ireland	39	(1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 16:43, 8 May 2016 (UTC). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 4 June 2012

Stephen Patrick Hunt (born 1 August 1981) is a retired Irish international footballer who played as a left midfielder or left back.

He played for Brentford, Crystal Palace, Reading, Hull City, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Coventry City. His younger brother, Noel, is also a footballer.

Career

Club

Early years

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.^[2] Hurling was his first love.^[3]

Hunt's first introduction to organised football was when he moved to the Christian Brothers' Secondary School in Carrick-on-Suir, Co. 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^[4] before leaving to join Brentford. In his four years at the West London club, he became an integral part of the team.

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

Reading

Hunt with Reading

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.

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.^[5] Since the injury, Petr Čech has 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^[6] or supporting^[7] Hunt and the others involved in the aftermath of the incident. The FA eventually confirmed that no action would be taken against Hunt^[8] but, in the mean time, both Hunt and team-mate Ibrahima Sonko, involved in a collision in the same match with Čech's replacement Carlo Cudicini, had allegedly received death threats from Chelsea fans.^[9][10][11] 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)^{[12][13][14][15][16]} from Sunderland for Hunt, but Reading confirmed that they had no intention of selling players at that time.^[12][13] On 1 February 2008, Hunt signed a new deal with Reading keeping him at the club until the summer of 2011.^[17] 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.^[18] 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.^[19]

Hull City

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.^[20][21] He scored his first goal for the club 28 minutes into his debut against Chelsea on 15 August 2009.^[22] 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.^[23]

In the January transfer window, Hunt was the subject of a £5 million bid from Wolverhampton Wanderers, but the Tigers rejected it.^[24] Shortly after, Hunt suffered a foot injury that ruled him out of the run-in.^[25] In his absence, the club were relegated amid growing financial worries.^[26]

Wolverhampton Wanderers

On 21 June 2010 Wolverhampton Wanderers signed Hunt on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee, reported to be £3 million.^[27] Hunt, still recovering from his foot injury from his time with Hull, did not return to action until several months into the season,^[28] making his Wolves debut as a substitute against Chelsea on 23 October 2010.^[29] He scored his first goal for the club on 27 November, a 3–2 win against Sunderland.^[30]

In the early part of 2011, Hunt suffered calf and hernia injuries which kept him out of action for up to three months.^[31][32] 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.^[33]

Although undergoing a groin operation,^[34] 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.^[35] In total he made 66 appearances for the club, scoring eight times.^[36]

Ipswich Town

On 8 November 2013 Hunt signed a short-term deal with Ipswich Town.^[37]

On 30 June 2014 Hunt signed a further 1-year deal with Ipswich.^[38]

Coventry City

On 8 January 2016 Hunt signed a short term deal with League 1 promotion chasing side Coventry City FC after a short spell as a free agent.

He retired from playing football at the end of the 2015–16 season.^[39]

International

Hunt (not pictured) 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.^[40] Later that year he was sent off following a challenge on Jan Polák in a match against the Czech Republic on 12 September 2007.^[41]

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 to date only, international goal through a late penalty in a 2–3 friendly defeat to Poland at Croke Park on 19 November 2008.^[42] He was subsequently selected as part of Ireland's squad for the Euro 2012 tournament but did not play in any of their games.^[43]

Career statistics

Club

As of 8 May 2016

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			National Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Crystal Palace	1999–2000[44]	Division One	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	0
	Total		3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	0
Brentford	2001–02[45]	Division Two	35	4	1	0	1	0	4[lower-alpha 1][lower-alpha 2]	0	41	4
	2002–03[46]	Division Two	42	7	4	2	2	0	2[lower-alpha 1]	1	50	10
	2003–04[47]	Division Two	40	11	2	0	1	0	2[lower-alpha 1]	1	45	12
	2004–05[48]	League One	19	3	4	0	0	0	1[lower-alpha 1]	0	24	3
	Total		135	25	11	2	4	0	9	2	160	29
Reading	2005–06[49]	Championship	38	2	4	1	4	0	0	0	46	3
	2006–07[50]	Premier League	35	4	1	0	2	0	0	0	38	4
	2007–08[51]	Premier League	37	5	2	2	1	0	0	0	40	7
	2008–09[52]	Championship	46	6	0	0	2	1	1[lower-alpha 3]	0	49	7
	Total		155	17	7	3	9	1	1	0	172	21
Hull City	2009–10[53]	Premier League	27	6	0	0	0	0	0	0	27	6
	Total		27	6	0	0	0	0	0	0	27	6
Wolverhampton Wanderers	2010–11[54]	Premier League	20	3	3	1	1	0	0	0	24	4
	2011–12[55]	Premier League	24	3	2	0	2	0	0	0	28	3
	2012–13[56]	Championship	12	1	0	0	2	0	0	0	14	1
	Total		56	7	5	1	5	0	0	0	66	8
Ipswich Town	2013–14[57]	Championship	23	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	24	0
	2014–15[58]	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[59]	League One	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	0
	Total		5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	0
Career total			421	55	26	6	18	1	10	2	476	64

1. Appearances in Football League Trophy
2. Appearances in 2002 Football League play-offs
3. Appearances in 2009 Football League play-offs

International

Republic of Ireland national team
Year	Apps	Goals
2007	9	0
2008	6	1
2009	10	0
2010	1	0
2011	11	0
2012	2	0
Total	39	1

Statistics accurate as of match played 4 June 2012^[60]

International goals

#	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1.[61]	19 November 2008	Croke Park, Dublin, Republic of Ireland	Poland	1–2	2–3	Friendly

Honours

Reading

• Football League Championship (1): 2005–06

Republic of Ireland

• Nations Cup: 2011

Individual

• Reading Player of the Year: 2007–08^[62]
• Hull City Player of the Year: 2009–10
• Football League Championship Team of the Year: 2008–09

References

1. "Premier League Player Profile". Premier League. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
2. "Stephen Hunt signs for Club Déise". Munster Express. 16 June 2008. Retrieved 27 January 2009.
3. 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.
4. "Decision Time fpr Trial Trio". Dundee United F.C. 22 January 2001. Archived from the original on 5 February 2008. Retrieved 23 January 2009.
5. "Keeper Cech has surgery on skull". BBC Sport. BBC. 15 October 2006. Retrieved 23 January 2009.
6. "Mourinho angry as keepers injured". BBC Sport. BBC. 14 October 2006. Retrieved 23 January 2009.
7. "Coppell gives his views on Chelsea game, Hunt collision, ref Riley and more". readingfc.co.uk. 14 October 2006. Retrieved 23 January 2009.
8. "Reading/Chelsea statement". thefa.com. 19 October 2006. Retrieved 23 January 2009.
9. "Reading duo receive death threats". BBC Sport. BBC. 16 November 2006. Retrieved 23 January 2009.
10. Kempson, Russell (17 November 2006). "Reading pair get death threats as Chelsea row turns sinister". London: The Times. Retrieved 23 January 2009.
11. "Statement on Reading Threats". www.chelseafc.com. 16 November 2006. Retrieved 23 January 2009.
12. "Reading rule out Hunt departure". BBC Sport. BBC. 31 December 2007. Retrieved 23 January 2009.
13. "Reading hoping to hang on to Stephen Hunt". London: The Times. 31 December 2007. Retrieved 23 January 2009.
14. "Blacks Cats fail in second bid for Royals ace". Sky Sports. 7 January 2008. Retrieved 23 January 2009.
15. "Sunderland raise Hunt bid to £4.5m". The Daily Mail. London. 10 January 2008. Retrieved 23 January 2009.
16. Jacob, Gary; Caulkin, George (24 January 2008). "Tottenham step up bid to clinch deal for Tiago". The Times. London. Retrieved 23 January 2009.
17. "Hunt signs a new contract". readingfc.co.uk. 1 February 2008. Retrieved 23 January 2009.
18. "Hunt to extend contract". readingfc.co.uk. 4 February 2009. Archived from the original on 7 February 2009. Retrieved 4 February 2009.
19. "Hunt seeks 'fresh start'". msnsport.skysports.com. 9 June 2009. Retrieved 9 June 2009.
20. "Duo Complete City Moves". Hull City A.F.C. 13 August 2009. Archived from the original on 1 March 2012. Retrieved 8 June 2013.
21. "Hull complete Hunt & Ghilas deals". BBC Sport. BBC. 13 August 2009. Retrieved 13 August 2009.
22. "Chelsea 2 – 1 Hull". BBC Sport. BBC. 15 August 2009. Retrieved 9 January 2010.
23. Lyon, Sam (18 August 2009). "Hull 1 – 5 Tottenham". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 18 August 2009.
24. "Hull reject Wolves transfer bid for Stephen Hunt". BBC Sport. BBC. 1 February 2010.
25. "Stephen Hunt injury hits Hull survival hopes". BBC Sport. 13 April 2010.
26. "Hull reshuffle board to deal with financial issues". BBC Sport. 11 May 2010.
27. "Wolves sign winger Stephen Hunt from Hull". BBC Sport. 21 June 2010.
28. "Stephen Hunt hoping to make impact for Wolves". BBC Sport. 13 October 2010.
29. "Chelsea 2–0 Wolves". BBC Sport. 23 October 2010.
30. "Wolves 3–2 Sunderland". BBC Sport. 27 November 2010.
31. "Injured Wolves midfielder Hunt eyes comeback date". BBC Sport. 10 March 2011.
32. "Wolves winger Stephen Hunt to undergo hernia surgery". BBC Sport. 7 April 2011.
33. "Wolverhampton 2–3 Blackburn". BBC Sport. 22 May 2011.
34. "Wolves' Stephen Hunt has successful groin operation". BBC Sport. 5 April 2012.
35. "Wolves: Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Stephen Hunt released". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 17 May 2013.
36. "Stephen Hunt". Soccerbase.
37. "Town Confirm Hunt Deal". TWTD.co.uk. 8 November 2013.
38. McCarthy Confirms Hunt Signing New Deal - Ipswich Town News | TWTD.co.uk
39. 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.
40. "San Marino 1–2 Rep of Ireland". BBC Sport. 7 February 2007.
41. "Czech Republic 1–0 Rep of Ireland". BBC Sport. BBC. 12 September 2007. Retrieved 23 January 2009.
42. "Ireland suffer defeat against clinical Poland side". FAI. 18 June 2009. Retrieved 18 June 2009.
43. "Euro 2012: Defender Kevin Foley left out of Republic squad". BBC Sport. 29 May 2012.
44. "Games played by Stephen Hunt in 1999/2000". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
45. "Games played by Stephen Hunt in 2001/2002". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
46. "Games played by Stephen Hunt in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
47. "Games played by Stephen Hunt in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
48. "Games played by Stephen Hunt in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
49. "Games played by Stephen Hunt in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
50. "Games played by Stephen Hunt in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
51. "Games played by Stephen Hunt in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
52. "Games played by Stephen Hunt in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
53. "Games played by Stephen Hunt in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
54. "Games played by Stephen Hunt in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
55. "Games played by Stephen Hunt in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
56. "Games played by Stephen Hunt in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
57. "Games played by Stephen Hunt in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
58. "Games played by Stephen Hunt in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
59. "Games played by Stephen Hunt in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
60. "Steve Hunt". National Football Teams. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
61. "Republic of Ireland 2-3 Poland". BBC Sport. 19 November 2008. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
62. "Hunt voted the official readingfc.co.uk / Courage player of the month". readingfc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 9 May 2008. Retrieved 23 January 2009.

External links

• Stephen Hunt career statistics at Soccerbase
  
• ESPN Profile