David Hirst (footballer)

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David Eric Hirst (born December 7, 1967) was an exciting but injury prone striker who played for Sheffield Wednesday for much of his career. Born in Cudworth, Hirst joined the Owls from Barnsley in 1986, and became a firm favourite and eventually an idol who was hero worshipped by the Barmy Army, scoring 149 goals in 358 appearances during his eleven years at the club.^[1] He was capped three times for England, and scored once.

Hirst had many famous moments during his time at Hillsborough Stadium. In 1991, Hirst scored 32 goals as Wednesday were promoted back to Division One, including a 4-goal haul against Hull City FC (a 5-1 win) on September 1, 1990. This form led to him being called up for the England B international against Switzerland, in which he scored both England goals in a 2-1 win. He was subsequently called into the full England squad for the tour of Australasia.

He made his international debut in the 1-0 win over Australia, but was replaced at half-time. He was named as a substitute in the next game against New Zealand, but came on at half-time and within three minutes of the restart he scored his first and only England goal.

He gained one further cap when lining up alongside Alan Shearer against France at Wembley. After an impressive first half display, he seemed likely to be given the nod ahead of Shearer to partner Gary Lineker for the second period until Shearer put England ahead on the stroke of half-time. This reprieved Shearer and after that the two players' careers took very different paths. Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson tried 6 times to tempt owls boss Trevor Francis to sell Hirst.

Hirst's career at Wednesday was fraught with injury, and eventually ended when Sheffield Wednesday manager David Pleat who was very unpopular with the down to earth, working class Sheffield public, inexplicably sold him to Southampton after he had emerged fit once again returning to the Owls first team.

Hirst scored against old club Barnsley FC in their first (and only) Premiership season when the Reds were beaten 4-1 at the Dell, and proved to be the perfect foil for young Kevin Davies as Southampton FC once again secured their place in football's top division.

Injuries eventually forced Hirst to retire from the game and may have robbed him of further England caps. At his best, he was level pegging with Alan Shearer for a regular England shirt.

Hirst also holds the record for the fastest recorded shot, hitting the bar at 114mph against Arsenal at Highbury in 1996.^[2]

[edit] References

1. ^ Appearances and goal totals for Sheffield Wednesday.
2. ^ Hirst sets a new record with 114 mph shot.