Geoffrey "Geoff" Hunter (born 27 October 1959) is a former English

English people

The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...

 footballer who played as a midfielder

Midfielder

A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...

. In a twelve year career in the Football League

The Football League

The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...

 he played 430 league games, scoring 38 goals.

A trainee at Manchester United

Manchester United F.C.

Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...

, he switched to Crewe Alexandra

Crewe Alexandra F.C.

Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...

 in 1979. He spent two seasons at Crewe, making 87 league appearances, before he went to Port Vale

Port Vale F.C.

Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...

 for a £15,000 fee in August 1981. He helped the club to win promotion out of the Fourth Division

Football League Fourth Division

The Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...

 in 1982–83

1982–83 Port Vale F.C. season

The 1982–83 season was Port Vale's seventy-first season of football in the Football League, and their fifth successive season in the Fourth Division. John McGrath led the Vale to a club-record 88 points , which saw them win promotion in third place...

, and was also named in the PFA Team of the Year

PFA Team of the Year

The Professional Footballers' Association Team of the Year is an annual award given to a set of 44 footballers in the top four tiers of English football; the Premier League, the Championship, League One and League Two, whom are seen to be deserving of being named in a "Team of the Year".The award...

. He helped the club to promotion out of the fourth tier again in 1985–86

1985–86 Port Vale F.C. season

The 1985–86 season was Port Vale's seventy-fourth season of football in the Football League, and second successive season in the Fourth Division. John Rudge achieved his first success as manager, leading Vale to promotion into the Third Division with a fourth place finish...

. After 221 league appearances for the "Valiants", he was allowed to sign with Wrexham in May 1987. He spent four years with the Welsh club, playing 122 league games, before he retired in 1991.

Crewe Alexandra

Hunter started his career at Dave Sexton

Dave Sexton

David "Dave" Sexton OBE is an English former football manager and player.-Playing career:Son of former professional boxer Archie Sexton, he started his playing career with West Ham United in 1948. Playing mainly at inside-forward, he would finish his career with time at Luton Town, Leyton Orient,...

's First Division

Football League First Division

The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....

 giants Manchester United

Manchester United F.C.

Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...

, but failed to make a competitive appearance for the club. He left Old Trafford

Old Trafford

Old Trafford commonly refers to two sporting arenas:* Old Trafford, home of Manchester United F.C.* Old Trafford Cricket Ground, home of Lancashire County Cricket ClubOld Trafford can also refer to:...

 for Gresty Road

Alexandra Stadium

The Alexandra Stadium is a multi-use stadium in Crewe, England. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home ground of Crewe Alexandra...

 in 1979, where Crewe Alexandra

Crewe Alexandra F.C.

Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...

 had finished bottom of the Football League

The Football League

The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...

 in 1978–79. Under new manager Tony Waddington

Tony Waddington

Anthony Waddington was an English football player and manager. He managed Stoke City F.C. from 1960 until 1977 and guided them to their only major trophy - the League Cup in 1972. He later managed his only playing club, Crewe Alexandra, from June 1979 to July 1981...

, the "Railwaymen" only managed to finish one place higher in 1979–80, though the club again won re-election. The club rallied in 1980–81 to finish eighteenth, four points above the re-election zone.

Port Vale

Hunter was sold on to nearby Port Vale

Port Vale F.C.

Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...

 for £15,000 in August 1981, who were also struggling at the lower end of the Fourth Division

Football League Fourth Division

The Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...

 under manager John McGrath. Hunter quickly became a key member of the midfield, playing 49 games in 1981–82

1981–82 Port Vale F.C. season

The 1981–82 season was Port Vale's seventieth season of football in the Football League, and their fourth successive season in the Fourth Division. John McGrath led his team to a seventh place finish, a big improvement on the previous two seasons. Top-scorer Ernie Moss and midfielder Mark...

, as the "Valiants" posted a seventh place finish. He was an ever-present during the 1982–83

1982–83 Port Vale F.C. season

The 1982–83 season was Port Vale's seventy-first season of football in the Football League, and their fifth successive season in the Fourth Division. John McGrath led the Vale to a club-record 88 points , which saw them win promotion in third place...

 promotion winning season, also being selected as the PFA

Professional Footballers' Association

The Professional Footballers' Association is the trade union for professional footballers in England and Wales. The world's oldest professional sport trade union, it has 4,000 members....

 team of the year

PFA Team of the Year

The Professional Footballers' Association Team of the Year is an annual award given to a set of 44 footballers in the top four tiers of English football; the Premier League, the Championship, League One and League Two, whom are seen to be deserving of being named in a "Team of the Year".The award...

.
Vale failed to hold on to their Third Division

Football League Third Division

The Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...

 status, and were relegated in 1983–84

1983–84 Port Vale F.C. season

The 1983–84 season was Port Vale's seventy-second season of football in the Football League, and first back in the Third Division following their promotion from the Fourth Division. The club suffered a horrendous start, and John McGrath lost his job before Christmas; he was replaced by his...

. McGrath was sacked and replaced by his assistant, John Rudge

John Rudge

John Robert Rudge is an English former football player and football manager. He is currently working as the director of football at Stoke City....

, in December, who continued to name Hunter in the first eleven. He played 51 games in 1984–85

1984–85 Port Vale F.C. season

The 1984–85 season was Port Vale's seventy-third season of football in the Football League, and first back in the Fourth Division following their relegation from the Third Division. John Rudge's first full season in charge, the Vale finished in mid-table following a season of rebuilding the squad...

, as Rudge rebuilt his team. He played 57 games in 1985–86

1985–86 Port Vale F.C. season

The 1985–86 season was Port Vale's seventy-fourth season of football in the Football League, and second successive season in the Fourth Division. John Rudge achieved his first success as manager, leading Vale to promotion into the Third Division with a fourth place finish...

, scoring six goals, as he helped Vale to escape the division for a second time. However Rudge signed Paul Smith

Paul Smith (footballer born 1964)

Paul Michael Smith is a former English footballer.-Playing career:Smith played for Sheffield United and spent time on loan at Stockport County before joining Port Vale for £10,000 in July 1986. He played 54 games for the Vale before being sold on to Lincoln City for £40,000 in September 1987...

 and Ray Walker

Ray Walker (footballer)

Raymond "Ray" Walker is an English former football midfielder. He played 440 games for Port Vale in all competitions between 1986 and 1997, ensuring himself a place in the club's history. He was twice the club's player of the season, and was named on the PFA Team of the Year three times...

 for the 1986–87

1986–87 Port Vale F.C. season

The 1986–87 season was Port Vale's seventy-fifth season of football in the Football League, and first season back in the Third Division following promotion from the Fourth Division. John Rudge led to Vale to a mid-table finish, his Player of the Year signing Andy Jones scoring 37 goals in all...

 campaign, and Hunter played just five league games. He was given a free transfer to Wrexham in May 1987, along with teammate Wayne Ebanks

Wayne Ebanks

Michael Wayne Anthony Ebanks , known as Wayne Ebanks, is an English former footballer.-Playing career:Ebanks played for West Bromwich Albion, where he went out on loan to nearby Stoke City and Port Vale. His loan spell at Vale started in March 1985 and he impressed enough in his eleven games to be...

.

Wrexham

Dixie McNeil

Dixie McNeil

Dixie McNeil is a former English footballer and manager, who played as a striker.As a schoolboy, McNeil signed for his local club Leicester City F.C. after playing for local club Holwell Works. However he did not fit into the First Division side's plans and was released. He made his football...

's Wrexham were looking for promotion out of the Fourth Division

Football League Fourth Division

The Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...

, though they missed out on the play-offs in 1987–88 by four points. They managed to reach the play-offs in 1988–89, and defeated Scunthorpe United

Scunthorpe United F.C.

Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One....

 to reach the Final against Leyton Orient

Leyton Orient F.C.

Leyton Orient F.C. are an English professional football club in East London. They currently play in Football League One and are known to their fans as the O's.Leyton Orient have spent one season in the top flight of English football, in 1962–63...

. The Welsh club lost 2–1 over the two-legged final.

The "Robins"' form dropped during the 1989–90 campaign, and McNeil was replaced by Brian Flynn

Brian Flynn

Brian Flynn, is a Welsh football manager and former Welsh international player.On 13 September 2010 Flynn was confirmed caretaker manager of the Wales national football team after John Toshack stepped down...

, as Wrexham finished in 21st place. They then finished bottom of the Football League

The Football League

The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...

 in 1990–91, but avoided relegation due to the league's expansion. This was Hunter's last season, as he left the club in 1991.

Honours

Individual

• PFA Fourth Division
  Football League Fourth Division
  The Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
  
   Team of the Year
  PFA Team of the Year
  The Professional Footballers' Association Team of the Year is an annual award given to a set of 44 footballers in the top four tiers of English football; the Premier League, the Championship, League One and League Two, whom are seen to be deserving of being named in a "Team of the Year".The award...
  
  : 1982–83
  1982–83 Port Vale F.C. season
  The 1982–83 season was Port Vale's seventy-first season of football in the Football League, and their fifth successive season in the Fourth Division. John McGrath led the Vale to a club-record 88 points , which saw them win promotion in third place...
  
  

with Port Vale

• Football League Fourth Division
  Football League Fourth Division
  The Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
  
   third place promotion winner: 1982–83
  1982–83 Port Vale F.C. season
  The 1982–83 season was Port Vale's seventy-first season of football in the Football League, and their fifth successive season in the Fourth Division. John McGrath led the Vale to a club-record 88 points , which saw them win promotion in third place...
  
  
• Football League Fourth Division
  Football League Fourth Division
  The Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
  
   fourth place promotion winner: 1985–86
  1985–86 Port Vale F.C. season
  The 1985–86 season was Port Vale's seventy-fourth season of football in the Football League, and second successive season in the Fourth Division. John Rudge achieved his first success as manager, leading Vale to promotion into the Third Division with a fourth place finish...