Kenneth Hunt

Reverend Kenneth Reginald Gunnery Hunt (24 February 1884 – 28 April 1949) was an English amateur football player, Oxford Blue, FA Cup Final goal scorer, England cap holder, and Olympic gold medallist, having competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics and in the 1920 Summer Olympics.

Kenneth Hunt
Personal information
Full name Kenneth Reginald Gunnery Hunt
Date of birth (1884-02-24)24 February 1884
Place of birth Oxford, England
Date of death 28 April 1949(1949-04-28) (aged 65)
Place of death Heathfield, England
Playing position(s) Left half
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Oxford University
Corinthian
1907–1908 Wolverhampton Wanderers
1908–1912 Leyton
1912–1914 → Oxford City
1912–1914 Crystal Palace
1914 New Crusaders
1919–1921 Corinthian
National team
1906–1920 England Amateurs 16 (1)
1908–1920 Great Britain 4 (0)
1911 England 2 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Early life

Kenneth Reginald Gunnery Hunt was born 24 February 1884 in Oxford, the son of an American-born Anglican clergyman, Robert George Hunt. He was educated at Wolverhampton Grammar School, and later, from 1902, Trent College, Nottingham, where he was appointed to the student position of Head of School.[1] In 1904, he went up to study classics at The Queen's College, Oxford, where he earned four football Blues between 1904 and 1907,[2] but he graduated with only a pass degree.[1]

Footballing career

During his period at Oxford, Hunt played for Corinthian, and Oxford City reserves, where he came to the attention of professional clubs.[1] He started playing for Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1907 whilst still an undergraduate.[1]

Having been part of the Wolverhampton Wanderers team who had won the FA Cup on 25 April 1908 (scoring the opening goal in a 3–1 victory over Newcastle United), he was a member of the English team, which won the gold medal in the 1908 Summer Olympics football tournament.

He also made two appearances for the full England team in 1911 against Wales and Scotland.

He again played in the 1920 Olympic tournament in Antwerp, when England lost in the first round to Norway.

Hunt never drew a salary but instead remained an amateur player throughout his time with Wolverhampton Wanderers.[1]

Later life

In 1909, Hunt fulfilled his childhood desire to become a clergyman when he was ordained as a deacon in the Church of England.[3] He went on to become a master and subsequently a housemaster at Highgate School. He became Housemaster of Grindal House where the House colours are still to this day Black and Gold in tribute to Hunt's playing days at Wolverhampton Wanderers. One of his students at Highgate was Murray Walker.[4] Hunt died 28 April 1949 in Heathfield, just two days before Wolverhampton Wanderers took the FA Cup from Leicester City at Wembley.[1]

Honours

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Individual

A Blue plaque was erected in Hunt's honour on 28 October 2004 at St Mark's Church, Chapel Ash[5] by Wolverhampton Civic Society and Wolverhampton Wanderers.[6]

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References
  1. Peter Seddon (February 2010), "Trent's 'Golden Age' Hero", Derbyshire Life 75 (2) pp 138–140
  2. "K. R. G. Hunt". Archived from the original on 25 September 2008. Retrieved 1 December 2008.
  3. Crockford's Clerical Directory 1947–48 London, OUP, 1947
  4. "Reverend Kenneth Hunt – Trent College 'Old Boy' Was Soccer Star". Archived from the original on 14 October 2008. Retrieved 1 December 2008.
  5. "Unveiling of KRG Hunt plaque". Retrieved 3 September 2014.
  6. "KRG Hunt Blue Plaque". Retrieved 3 September 2014.
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