Ian Hesford
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Ian Hesford (Chinese: 希福特, Born 1960, 4 March) is an English footballer and one of the most famous foreign players in Hong Kong football league. His position is goalkeeper and he has played in Eastern, Sing Tao and South China.
His Chinese nickname is 肥福, which literally means "fat but lucky guy".
[edit] Early career
Hesford was unfairly made a scapegoat when Hull City were relegated from the old Division 2 in 1990. His inevitable exit from the club followed, whereupon he signed for Maidstone United. Hesford was certainly manager Graham Carr's best signing; as the club struggled to keep their heads above water, the big keeper made a string of fantastic saves in virtually every game to save his poor team's blushes.
Hesford has two interesting claims to fame. The first is that he scored the winner in a 3-2 home win for Maidstone against Hereford United on a windy day at their Watling Street ground, with a massive drop-kick in 1990. The second is that he lined up for Hong Kong XI('Hong Kong Golden Select') against England in a friendly which the visitors to Hong Kong only won 1-0. England were ridiculed for not being capable of putting a hat-load past the big man, mainly by those with no appreciation of just how good a keeper he is, despite his portly frame.
Hesford also played at Sunderland, where the fans do not remember his efforts with any great afffection.
[edit] Career in Hong Kong
His career in Hong Kong started on July, 1992 when he joined Eastern. He played for the club for 4 years before he moved to Sing Tao in 1996-97 season and later South China in 1997-98. In his year in Eastern, the club captured 5 tropies including the major ones Hong Kong Senior Shield, FA Cup and the league Champhion. He was elected as the Best foreign player in the league in 1992. He was also in the League Best Squad for 3 seasons (1992-93, 93-94, 94-95). Moreover, he is still the record holder of the Longest Clean Sheets in Hong Kong First Division League.
He left Hong Kong in 1998 and started his career as a coach in England.
[edit] External links
- HKFA website (in chinese) 聯賽不失球紀錄的保持者─希福特
| Preceded by '''First Winner''' |
Hong Kong First Division League Best Foreign Player 1991-92 |
Succeeded by Anto Grabo |
Categories: Cleanup from April 2007 | All pages needing cleanup | All pages needing to be wikified | Wikify from April 2007 | NPOV disputes | 1960 births | Football (soccer) goalkeepers | English footballers | Blackpool F.C. players | South China A.A. players | Hong Kong First Division League players | Living people
