Scott Hiley
Encyclopedia
Scott Patrick Hiley is an English former footballer.
youth system in 1986. He was a key part of Exeter's Fourth Division
-winning side of 1989–90, and in 1993 he followed manager Terry Cooper to Birmingham City
.
Hiley spent three injury-hit years with Birmingham, and in February 1996 was a surprise loan signing for Premiership
side Man City
. Two months later the move was made permanent, but he found first-team opportunitites limited and sat in the reserves for two years as City slid down the leagues.
In August 1998 he returned to the Premiership with Southampton
(where Terry Cooper was working in a scouting role), and spent 18 months there, before joining rival club Portsmouth
in December 1999. He was a popular player at Portsmouth, captaining the side and winning the player of the year award in his first full season, but the team was not successful.
When Harry Redknapp
was appointed manager in 2002, he cleared out most of the old squad and built a new team. While Portsmouth won the First Division
title, Hiley returned to Exeter in November for his second spell. He was one of the club's better players in the 2002–03 season, but he couldn't stop the side being relegated from the Football League. He remained with Exeter after relegation and, in 2003, joined the coaching staff. He continued to be a first-team regular until October 2005. During his second spell at Exeter, Hiley played for them in the FA Cup
against Manchester United and became somewhat of a local hero when he nutmegged Cristiano Ronaldo
. In August 2004 he scored his first goal in more than 10 years as Exeter beat Northwich Victoria 2–1. Hiley left the club in February 2006 when his contract was terminated by mutual consent; he had spent over 10 years at St James Park in his two spells with the Grecians and had started almost 400 games for the club.
In August 2006, he was signed by Crawley Town
after a successful pre-season trial period. He left the club after a year. In September 2008, he signed for Tiverton Town
after being brought to Ladysmead by manager Martyn Rogers
as cover for what had proven over the 2007 season to be an injury-jinxed right-back spot. He also featured a few times for Cullompton Rangers during the 2008–09 season.
Football career
A defender, mainly at right-back, Hiley first came through the Exeter CityExeter City F.C.
Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003...
youth system in 1986. He was a key part of Exeter's 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...
-winning side of 1989–90, and in 1993 he followed manager Terry Cooper to Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
.
Hiley spent three injury-hit years with Birmingham, and in February 1996 was a surprise loan signing for Premiership
FA Premier League
The Premier League is an English professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the English football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with The Football League. The Premier...
side Man City
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
. Two months later the move was made permanent, but he found first-team opportunitites limited and sat in the reserves for two years as City slid down the leagues.
In August 1998 he returned to the Premiership with Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
(where Terry Cooper was working in a scouting role), and spent 18 months there, before joining rival club 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...
in December 1999. He was a popular player at Portsmouth, captaining the side and winning the player of the year award in his first full season, but the team was not successful.
When Harry Redknapp
Harry Redknapp
Henry James "Harry" Redknapp is a former English footballer who has enjoyed a long career in football management starting in 1983 with Bournemouth. He is the current manager of Tottenham Hotspur....
was appointed manager in 2002, he cleared out most of the old squad and built a new team. While Portsmouth won the 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....
title, Hiley returned to Exeter in November for his second spell. He was one of the club's better players in the 2002–03 season, but he couldn't stop the side being relegated from the Football League. He remained with Exeter after relegation and, in 2003, joined the coaching staff. He continued to be a first-team regular until October 2005. During his second spell at Exeter, Hiley played for them in the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
against Manchester United and became somewhat of a local hero when he nutmegged Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, OIH, , commonly known as Cristiano Ronaldo, is a Portuguese footballer who plays as a winger or striker for Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid and is the captain of the Portuguese national team...
. In August 2004 he scored his first goal in more than 10 years as Exeter beat Northwich Victoria 2–1. Hiley left the club in February 2006 when his contract was terminated by mutual consent; he had spent over 10 years at St James Park in his two spells with the Grecians and had started almost 400 games for the club.
In August 2006, he was signed by Crawley Town
Crawley Town F.C.
Crawley Town Football Club is an English football club based in Crawley, West Sussex. They won the title of the Football Conference, by a record 15 point margin on second place, and with it promotion to The Football League, in April 2011.-1896–2009:...
after a successful pre-season trial period. He left the club after a year. In September 2008, he signed for Tiverton Town
Tiverton Town F.C.
Tiverton Town Football Club are an English football club based in Tiverton. The club are currently members of the Southern Football League South & West Division and play at Ladysmead.-History:...
after being brought to Ladysmead by manager Martyn Rogers
Martyn Rogers
-Career:Rogers' playing career included spells at Exeter City and Bristol City. In 1992 he was appointed player-manager of non-league Tiverton Town where he remained as manager until 21 May 2010 having tendered his resignation on 18 May 2010....
as cover for what had proven over the 2007 season to be an injury-jinxed right-back spot. He also featured a few times for Cullompton Rangers during the 2008–09 season.