Russell Hoult
Encyclopedia
Russell Hoult is an English footballer. He is a goalkeeper and is currently player/assistant manager/goalkeeping coach for Hereford United.
, where he was usually a reserve. During his time at the club he was sent on loan to Lincoln City
twice, Kettering Town, Blackpool
, where he did not make a first team appearance, Cheltenham Town
, when they were playing non-league football, and Bolton Wanderers
.
He signed for Derby County
in the summer of 1995, joining for a fee of £200,000. He went on to help them win promotion to the Premiership in 1996. Hoult remained with the club until January 2000, when he was loaned to Portsmouth
. This transfer was made permanent two months later and he remained with the club until the following January, when he left to join West Bromwich Albion
for £450,000.
Hoult played a key role in helping West Brom win promotion to the Premiership in 2001–02, keeping a club record number of clean sheets and being named in the PFA Division One team of the year. He was a regular for Albion in the Premiership and was watched by England manager Sven-Göran Eriksson
, but never made it into the national squad. Following Albion's relegation, Hoult remained a fixture in the side for the following season, as the club were promoted to the Premiership at the first attempt. In 2004 he was named as one of West Bromwich Albion's 16 greatest players, in a poll organised as part of the club's 125th anniversary celebrations. He played for the majority of the 2004–05 season, as West Bromwich Albion escaped relegation. However, after being a regular in goal for West Brom for several seasons, Hoult lost his place at the start of the 2005–06 season due to a groin injury. Second choice to Chris Kirkland
, who manager Bryan Robson
had signed on a 12 month loan from Liverpool
, Hoult was loaned to Nottingham Forest
in September 2005. However, he was recalled during his second month with the club after Kirkland sustained a rib injury.
Following the club's relegation and Kirkland's return to Liverpool goalkeeping duties for the 2006–07 season were shared between Hoult and Pascal Zuberbühler
until reports about his personal life surfaced in national newspapers. On 31 January 2007, Hoult was transferred to Stoke City
on a free transfer after being sacked by West Brom. He made his Stoke City debut on 14 August 2007 in a League Cup
match away at Rochdale
that finished 2–2 after extra time. He was unable to prevent Rochdale from progressing 4–2 on penalties, despite saving one of the spot-kicks. Hoult received a red card on his league debut for Stoke, in a match against Plymouth Argyle
in December 2007.
In February 2008 Hoult joined Notts County
on loan until the end of the season, following an injury to regular keeper Kevin Pilkington
. He kept a clean sheet in the 0–0 draw away at Peterborough United
in March, making the League Two Team of the Week. He made 14 appearances for the club, keeping seven clean sheets and helping the club to avoid relegation. He was released at the end of the 2007–08 season, following Stoke's promotion to the Premiership. On 1 July 2008 Hoult returned to Notts County on a permanent basis, signing a two-year contract with the club. He played the first 3 games of the 2009–10
season for Notts County, before being replaced by new signing Kasper Schmeichel
for the home game against Dagenham & Redbridge
. On 16 September 2009, Darlington
manager Colin Todd
signed Hoult on loan for a month as Todd felt that permanent Quakers keeper David Knight
needed a break after a tough start to the season. Todd was sacked during Hoult's loan and he was recalled by Notts County at the end of his month spell . He had played five games for Darlington.
On 10 May 2010 it was announced that he had been released by Notts County along with 7 other players.
Hoult signed on as goalkeeping coach at Hereford United
on Thursday 26 August. In October 2010 he became assistant manager to Jamie Pitman
after the sacking of Simon Davey
. On 25 February 2011 he registered as a player for Hereford United in order to provide goalkeeping back up.
Playing career
Hoult began his career at Leicester CityLeicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
, where he was usually a reserve. During his time at the club he was sent on loan to Lincoln City
Lincoln City F.C.
Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League....
twice, Kettering Town, Blackpool
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
, where he did not make a first team appearance, Cheltenham Town
Cheltenham Town F.C.
Cheltenham Town Football Club is an English football club playing in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. Founded in 1887, the team has played at four different grounds, namely Agg-Gardner's Recreation Ground, Carter's Field and now the Abbey Business Stadium, although it is more...
, when they were playing non-league football, and Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
.
He signed for Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
in the summer of 1995, joining for a fee of £200,000. He went on to help them win promotion to the Premiership in 1996. Hoult remained with the club until January 2000, when he was loaned to Portsmouth
Portsmouth F.C.
Portsmouth Football Club is an English football club based in the city of Portsmouth. The club is nicknamed Pompey. Portsmouth's home matches have been played at Fratton Park since the club's formation in 1898. The team currently play in the Football League Championship after being relegated from...
. This transfer was made permanent two months later and he remained with the club until the following January, when he left to join West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
for £450,000.
Hoult played a key role in helping West Brom win promotion to the Premiership in 2001–02, keeping a club record number of clean sheets and being named in the PFA Division One team of the year. He was a regular for Albion in the Premiership and was watched by England manager Sven-Göran Eriksson
Sven-Göran Eriksson
Sven-Göran Eriksson , in Sweden commonly referred to just by his nickname Svennis, is a Swedish ex-football manager. From October 2010 to October 2011 he managed Football League Championship side Leicester City....
, but never made it into the national squad. Following Albion's relegation, Hoult remained a fixture in the side for the following season, as the club were promoted to the Premiership at the first attempt. In 2004 he was named as one of West Bromwich Albion's 16 greatest players, in a poll organised as part of the club's 125th anniversary celebrations. He played for the majority of the 2004–05 season, as West Bromwich Albion escaped relegation. However, after being a regular in goal for West Brom for several seasons, Hoult lost his place at the start of the 2005–06 season due to a groin injury. Second choice to Chris Kirkland
Chris Kirkland
Christopher Edmund "Chris" Kirkland is an English footballer who currently plays as a goalkeeper for Wigan Athletic in the Premier League. He also has one cap for the England national team....
, who manager Bryan Robson
Bryan Robson
Bryan Robson OBE is an English football manager and a former player. He is best known for playing in midfield for Manchester United, where he was the longest serving captain in club history. He was the manager of Sheffield United, being relieved of his first team duties at the club in February 2008...
had signed on a 12 month loan from Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
, Hoult was loaned to Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
in September 2005. However, he was recalled during his second month with the club after Kirkland sustained a rib injury.
Following the club's relegation and Kirkland's return to Liverpool goalkeeping duties for the 2006–07 season were shared between Hoult and Pascal Zuberbühler
Pascal Zuberbühler
Pascal Zuberbühler is a Swiss footballer who is currently the goalkeeping coach for the Philippines. He was recently released by Fulham after coming to the end of his contract.-Club career:...
until reports about his personal life surfaced in national newspapers. On 31 January 2007, Hoult was transferred to Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
on a free transfer after being sacked by West Brom. He made his Stoke City debut on 14 August 2007 in a League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
match away at Rochdale
Rochdale A.F.C.
Rochdale Association Football Club is an English professional football club based in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. They play their home matches at Spotland Stadium. Formed in 1907, they were accepted into the Football League in 1921...
that finished 2–2 after extra time. He was unable to prevent Rochdale from progressing 4–2 on penalties, despite saving one of the spot-kicks. Hoult received a red card on his league debut for Stoke, in a match against Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth Argyle F.C.
Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the...
in December 2007.
In February 2008 Hoult joined Notts County
Notts County F.C.
Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system...
on loan until the end of the season, following an injury to regular keeper Kevin Pilkington
Kevin Pilkington
Kevin William Pilkington is an English footballer who plays a goalkeeper for Luton Town. Noted for his shot stopping abilities, Pilkington played Premier League football for Manchester United before dropping down to the Football League, where he played in nearly 350 games in his time at Mansfield...
. He kept a clean sheet in the 0–0 draw away at Peterborough United
Peterborough United F.C.
Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is...
in March, making the League Two Team of the Week. He made 14 appearances for the club, keeping seven clean sheets and helping the club to avoid relegation. He was released at the end of the 2007–08 season, following Stoke's promotion to the Premiership. On 1 July 2008 Hoult returned to Notts County on a permanent basis, signing a two-year contract with the club. He played the first 3 games of the 2009–10
2009–10 in English football
The 2009–10 season was the 130th season of competitive football in England.The season began on 8 August 2009 for the Championship, League One and League Two and 15 August 2009 for the Premier League...
season for Notts County, before being replaced by new signing Kasper Schmeichel
Kasper Schmeichel
Kasper Peter Schmeichel is a Danish professional football goalkeeper, and son of Peter Schmeichel. He plays in the Npower Championship for Leicester City. He played 17 games for the Denmark under-21 national team...
for the home game against Dagenham & Redbridge
Dagenham & Redbridge F.C.
Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club , informally known as Daggers, is an English association football club based in Dagenham, in the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham, East London. It was formed in 1992 after a merger between Redbridge Forest and Dagenham...
. On 16 September 2009, Darlington
Darlington F.C.
Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003...
manager Colin Todd
Colin Todd
Colin Todd is an English football manager and former player. As a player, he made more than 600 appearances in the Football League, playing for Sunderland, Derby County, Everton, Birmingham City, Nottingham Forest, Oxford United and Luton Town, and also played in the North American Soccer League...
signed Hoult on loan for a month as Todd felt that permanent Quakers keeper David Knight
David Knight (footballer)
David Sean Knight is an English footballer who plays for Histon as a goalkeeper.-Club career:Born in Houghton-le-Spring, Tyne and Wear, Knight began his career with the Middlesbrough youth system at the age of 11 after he was spotted by a scout playing for his local team Hetton Juniors...
needed a break after a tough start to the season. Todd was sacked during Hoult's loan and he was recalled by Notts County at the end of his month spell . He had played five games for Darlington.
On 10 May 2010 it was announced that he had been released by Notts County along with 7 other players.
Hoult signed on as goalkeeping coach at Hereford United
Hereford United F.C.
Hereford United Football Club is an English professional football club based in the city of Hereford. Founded in 1924, they are competing in Football League Two in the 2011–12 season. Hereford have played at Edgar Street for their entire history and are nicknamed 'The Whites' or 'The Lilywhites',...
on Thursday 26 August. In October 2010 he became assistant manager to Jamie Pitman
Jamie Pitman
Jamie Pitman is an English footballer turned football manager, who is now manager of Hereford United.-Playing career:...
after the sacking of Simon Davey
Simon Davey
Simon Davey is a Welsh former footballer and football manager. He played for Swansea City, Carlisle United and Preston North End and had a short loan spell with Darlington, making a total of 271 appearances in the Football League...
. On 25 February 2011 he registered as a player for Hereford United in order to provide goalkeeping back up.