Stephen Hunt (footballer)
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| Stephen Hunt | ||
| Personal information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | August 1, 1981 (age 25) | |
| Place of birth | County Laois, Republic of Ireland | |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | |
| Playing position | Winger | |
| Club information | ||
| Current club | Reading | |
| Number | 10 | |
| Senior clubs1 | ||
| Years | Club | App (Gls)* |
| 1998–2001 2001–2005 2005– |
Crystal Palace Brentford Reading |
3 (0) 136 (25) 65 (4) |
| National team2 | ||
| 2007– | Republic of Ireland | 3 (0) |
|
1 Senior club appearances and goals |
||
Stephen Hunt (born 1 August 1981 in County Laois, Republic of Ireland) is an Irish footballer. His position is left midfield, and he plays professionally for Reading. He previously played for Brentford and Crystal Palace. His younger brother, Noel Hunt, is also a footballer, and plays for Dundee United.
Contents |
Club career
Hunt is a tenacious, hard working and creative player. He was unfortunate to be denied more starting appearances in his first Reading season by the brilliant form of Bobby Convey. He still made a vital contribution, appearing from the bench, as Reading marched to the Championship title and promotion to the Premiership during the 2005-06 season.
The Petr Čech incident
On 14 October 2006 Hunt and Chelsea's goalkeeper Petr Čech challenged for the ball in the first minute of a league game at the Madejski Stadium, resulting in Čech's head colliding with Hunt's knee and leaving the Czech Republic international concussed. After immediate replacement by Carlo Cudicini (who was also left unconscious during the game after a challenge with Reading's Ibrahima Sonko), Čech was taken to Royal Berkshire Hospital's Accident and Emergency unit, and that evening taken to Oxford's Radcliffe Infirmary's specialist neuro-surgical unit.[1] Čech then underwent surgery for a depressed fracture of the skull.[1][2] The injury nearly cost Čech his life.[3] As a result of the collision, Čech suffered intense headaches.[4]
Reactions
Chelsea boss José Mourinho said "the challenge [was] a disgrace. He is lucky to still be alive",[5] later also criticizing the South Central Ambulance Service NHS Trust[6] and the match referee, Mike Riley.[7] Chelsea said in a later statement: "Chelsea FC has reviewed the video of both incidents. We endorse the post-match comments of José Mourinho regarding the seriousness of these incidents. Chelsea will be writing to the Football Association with our observations."[1]
Reading manager Steve Coppell said "I know 100% for sure there's no intent",[8] while football pundits Alan Hansen[2] and Bob Wilson,[9] and media commentators Martin Samuel,[10] Clive Tyldesley[11] and Des Kelly[12] have all given their backing to Hunt. However, Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann,[13] manager Arsène Wenger,[14] former West Ham United goalkeeper Ludek Miklosko,[15] Daily Mirror columnist Oliver Holt,[16] football journalist and pundit Gabriele Marcotti[17] (who said there was no malice from Hunt but the challenge was "reckless and dangerous") and Čech's Chelsea team mates Didier Drogba[18] and Carlo Cudicini[19] have all condemned the challenge.
On 19 October 2006 the FA confirmed that no action will be taken against Hunt.[20] The Conservative Member of Parliament for Reading East, Rob Wilson, tabled an Early day motion That this House notes the decision of the Football Association not to take any action against Reading FC arising from the injuries to Chelsea goalkeepers Petr Cech and Carlo Cudicini during their recent match; further notes the dignified manner in which Reading Football Club manager Steve Coppell and player Stephen Hunt conducted themselves in responding to the many pressures placed upon them; and asks Chelsea Football Club and its manager Jose Mourinho to reflect quietly on their behaviour in seeking to sow unwarranted discord by criticising the excellent local emergency services and the first class assistance provided by Reading Football Club. Wilson added "I am extremely disappointed that Chelsea and its manager behaved in a short-sighted and petulant way, not only towards Reading FC but towards our NHS staff. They behaved in a hot-headed way, lashing out at anyone and everyone. They have let themselves down." The motion was signed by two MPs, including Wilson.[21]
PFA chief Gordon Taylor has also warned Mourinho that he could face legal action over the comments made.[22]
Hunt decided not to visit Čech in hospital after the challenge.[23] This was criticised by Frank Lampard, who said "I would have gone to see him, especially when the fella nearly died"[24]. However, Hunt attempted to contact Čech through Chelsea,[25] but did not receive a reply.[23]
Death threats
It was announced on 15 November 2006 by Reading police spokesman Adam Fisher that "We have received a complaint from Reading Football Club regarding threats made [to Hunt and Sonko] following the Chelsea match. The club is helping us with our inquiry and the matter is still being investigated." One letter from an alleged Chelsea fan is reported as saying "We are going to kill you for what you did to our keepers" [26][27] [28]. Chelsea responded to the threats by issuing the following statement:"At this stage there is absolutely nothing to suggest that these threats came from genuine Chelsea fans and the club has not been contacted by the police. Naturally we condemn any threats of this nature and we will assist the police fully if, and we stress if, there is any evidence linking this to any of our supporters."[29]
International career
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.[30] He earned his second cap in their 1-0 home win against Wales on 24 March 2007, again coming on as a substitute.[31]
Honours
Hunt was voted by Reading Fans as the official Player of the Month for October 2006,[32] taking 25.3% of the vote. Seol Ki-Hyeon was the winner in both August and September.
References
- ^ a b c "Cech has operation", chelseafc.com, 2006-10-15. Retrieved on October 16, 2006.
- ^ a b "Keeper Cech has surgery on skull", BBC Sport, 2006-10-15. Retrieved on October 16, 2006.
- ^ "I'LL BE BACK", The Daily Mirror, 2006-10-28. Retrieved on November 16, 2006.
- ^ "Cech complains of severe headaches following head injury", The Daily Mirror, 2006-10-27. Retrieved on November 16, 2006.
- ^ "Mourinho angry as keepers injured", BBC Sport, 2006-10-14. Retrieved on October 16, 2006.
- ^ "Royals were right over Cech", ITV Sport, 2006-10-18. Retrieved on October 21, 2006.
- ^ "Referee Riley: I did not make Cech leave the pitch for treatment", The Daily Mail, 2006-10-16. Retrieved on October 21, 2006.
- ^ "Coppell gives his views on Chelsea game, Hunt collision, ref Riley and more", readingfc.co.uk, 2006-10-14. Retrieved on October 16, 2006.
- ^ Alan Hansen. "Clumsy challenge had roots in dressing room", The Daily Telegraph, 2006-10-16. Retrieved on October 16, 2006.
- ^ Martin Samuel. "So, José, you believe that this was deliberate, do you? In that case we challenge you: try it", The Times, 2006-10-18. Retrieved on October 18, 2006.
- ^ Clive Tyldesley. "Mourinho fails to make charge stick against Hunt", The Daily Telegraph, 2006-10-16. Retrieved on October 18, 2006.
- ^ Des Kelly. "It's Chelsea, not Hunt, who need to apologise", Daily Mail, 2006-10-17. Retrieved on October 18, 2006.
- ^ "Jens admits keeper fears", skysports.com, 2006-10-14. Retrieved on October 18, 2006.
- ^ "Wenger fears for keepers' safety", BBC Sport, 2006-10-17. Retrieved on October 18, 2006.
- ^ "Miklosko speaks out over Cech", skysports.com, 2006-10-14. Retrieved on October 18, 2006.
- ^ Oliver Holt. "Look Again..This Time Mourinho Has Got One Right", Daily Mirror, 2006-10-18. Retrieved on October 18, 2006.
- ^ Gabriele Marcotti. "English head games", Sports Illustrated, 2006-10-19. Retrieved on October 20, 2006.
- ^ "Drogba accuses Hunt", skysports.com, 2006-10-14. Retrieved on October 18, 2006.
- ^ "Cudicini unhappy with Riley role", BBC, 2006-10-19. Retrieved on October 20, 2006.
- ^ "Reading/Chelsea statement", thefa.com, 2006-10-19. Retrieved on October 19, 2006.
- ^ Rob Wilson. "CHELSEA FC AND READING FC", House of Commons, 2006-10-19. Retrieved on October 19, 2006.
- ^ "Mourinho warned over Hunt accusations", clubcall, 2006-10-17. Retrieved on October 21, 2006.
- ^ a b "Hunt hoping for private audience to clear the air with injured Cech", The Times, 2006-11-25. Retrieved on February 2, 2007.
- ^ "LAMPS: PETR NEARLY DIED... WHY DIDN'T HUNT VISIT HIM?", The Daily Mirror, 2006-12-26. Retrieved on January 1, 2007.
- ^ "Hunt speaks on his collision with Petr Cech, the aftermath, fans' support & more", readingfc.co.uk, 2006-11-25. Retrieved on February 2, 2007.
- ^ "Police probe Royals death threats", BBC Sport, 2006-11-16. Retrieved on November 16, 2006.
- ^ "Reading players receive death threats", The Reading Chronicle, 2006-11-16. Retrieved on November 16, 2006.
- ^ Russell Kempson. "Reading pair get death threats as Chelsea row turns sinister", The Times, 2006-11-17. Retrieved on November 17, 2006.
- ^ "Statement on Reading Threats", www.chelseafc.com, 2006-11-16. Retrieved on November 17, 2006.
- ^ "San Marino 1-2 Rep of Ireland", BBC Sport, 2007-02-07. Retrieved on February 7, 2007.
- ^ "Rep of Ire 1-0 Wales", BBC Sport, 2007-03-24. Retrieved on March 27, 2007.
- ^ "Hunt voted the official readingfc.co.uk / Courage player of the month", readingfc.co.uk, 2006-11-10. Retrieved on November 10, 2006.
External links
- Stephen Hunt profile at readingfc.co.uk
- Stephen Hunt career stats at Soccerbase
| Reading F.C. - Current Squad |
|---|
|
1 Hahnemann | 2 Murty | 3 Shorey | 4 Sidwell | 5 Sonko | 6 Gunnarsson | 7 Little | 8 Lita | 9 Doyle | 10 Hunt | 11 Oster | 12 Kitson | 14 Halls | 15 Harper | 16 Ingimarsson | 17 Convey | 19 Seol | 22 Bikey | 23 de la Cruz | 24 Long | 25 Bennett | 27 Brown | 28 Halford | 29 Duberry | 32 Federici | 47 Máté | –– Andersen | –– Bozanic | Manager: Coppell |
| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| NAME | Hunt, Stephen |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | |
| SHORT DESCRIPTION | Footballer |
| DATE OF BIRTH | 1 August 1981 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | County Laois, Republic of Ireland |
| DATE OF DEATH | |
| PLACE OF DEATH | |
