Although David Hunt was essentially a central defender, his Derby County
debut came as a midfielder against Leeds United in September 1977.
Unfortunately it proved to be a fleeting glimpse of first team action.
Despite a 2-2 draw, Colin Murphy was sacked as the County boss before
the next game and his replacement Tommy Docherty demoted the eighteen
year old straight back to the reserve squad. When Roy McFarland was
injured in the "Rams" 0-0 draw at Queens Park Rangers on Boxing Day
1977, Hunt was recalled for the following days 3-0 defeat against Aston
Villa at the Baseball Ground.
Playing in his more accustomed role of
centre half, David performed exceptionally well and did a good job
marking the vastly more experienced Andy Gray who failed to score. Hunt
kept his place for the remainder of the holiday programme, County
winning 2-1 away to Ipswich Town and 4-2 at home against Coventry City.
Docherty, though, reshuffled his side for the FA Cup third round win
over Southend United and it was the end of February 1978 before Hunt
reappeared. Another much changed line up crashed 3-1 at Middlesborough -
the game which proved to be David's last for the club after just five
appearances.
In March 1978 he moved to Notts County for a surprisingly
high £40,000 fee, Jimmy Sirrel offering him the chance of regular
football, albeit in the lower divisions. He took the chance well and
played over 300 League games for the Meadow Lane side, being an ever
present in their impressive 1980/81 campaign in which they gained
promotion to the First Division. Had circumstances been different David
would have undoubtably been successful for Derby County. In a settled
side under say the regularly guidance of a McFarland or Colin Todd he had
the potential to develop into a top class performer. (Mike Cockayne) |
1977–1978 Derby County 5 (0)
1978–1987 Notts County 336 (28)
1987–1989 Aston Villa 13 (0)
1989–1990 Mansfield Town 22 (0)
Since 1992 David ran his own soccer school in the Ashby De la Zouch area
of Leicestershire.