One man absent from Tuesday nights' "Andy Woodman benefit match" involving all of the Wembley heroes was midfielder Roy Hunter. As one long throw specialist leaves the club, this week we celebrate another as Hunter becomes the focus of the latest Wembley feature.
Roy Hunter was straight out of the school of Ian Akins and from the moment he signed right up to his departure in 2002, he gave everything to the club and there was never a time you could fault his effort and work rate for the cause. Born in Middlesbrough in 1973, Hunter won a place as a trainee with West Bromwich Albion. After just eight starts in three years with the Baggies, The Cobblers snapped him up on a free transfer just in time for the 1995-96 season, where Hunter helped the club to a top half finish, just missing out on the playoffs.
But the following season we weren't to be denied and Hunter played his part alongside Sean Parrish in the centre of midfield and provided the ammunition for the front two to feed off. His long throw, usually onto the ample head of Big John Gayle, caused problems of their own while he also took over the responsibility of penalty taking.At Wembley, Hunter played a full part and was the other option for the free kick that Frainy curled home in stoppage time. Who knows what would have happened if Hunter had taken the kick himself!
After the game I have vivid memories of Hunter dancing under the big flag that was placed on the pitch and getting stuck before finally appearing to join the celebrations!Hunter's Cobblers career came to an end after over 200 appearances and 20 goals when he joined Nuneaton Borough on a free transfer.
This stint in non-league lasted just three games though and he rejoined the football league with Oxford United making 14 appearances in the 2002/03 season.After a short spell with Northwich Victoria, Hunter was last seen with Hucknall Town.
My final memory of Roy Hunter took place in the Whitehills pub in Northampton, where at a sporting auction, he bid for and won a signed Cobblers shirt a couple of years after leaving the club!
Roy Hunter was straight out of the school of Ian Akins and from the moment he signed right up to his departure in 2002, he gave everything to the club and there was never a time you could fault his effort and work rate for the cause. Born in Middlesbrough in 1973, Hunter won a place as a trainee with West Bromwich Albion. After just eight starts in three years with the Baggies, The Cobblers snapped him up on a free transfer just in time for the 1995-96 season, where Hunter helped the club to a top half finish, just missing out on the playoffs.
But the following season we weren't to be denied and Hunter played his part alongside Sean Parrish in the centre of midfield and provided the ammunition for the front two to feed off. His long throw, usually onto the ample head of Big John Gayle, caused problems of their own while he also took over the responsibility of penalty taking.At Wembley, Hunter played a full part and was the other option for the free kick that Frainy curled home in stoppage time. Who knows what would have happened if Hunter had taken the kick himself!
After the game I have vivid memories of Hunter dancing under the big flag that was placed on the pitch and getting stuck before finally appearing to join the celebrations!Hunter's Cobblers career came to an end after over 200 appearances and 20 goals when he joined Nuneaton Borough on a free transfer.
This stint in non-league lasted just three games though and he rejoined the football league with Oxford United making 14 appearances in the 2002/03 season.After a short spell with Northwich Victoria, Hunter was last seen with Hucknall Town.
My final memory of Roy Hunter took place in the Whitehills pub in Northampton, where at a sporting auction, he bid for and won a signed Cobblers shirt a couple of years after leaving the club!
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