Football has always had its fair share of entertainers—players who managed to capture the imagination of the supporters with their flair, unpredictability, and sheer audacity. Ernie Hunt was one such figure, a forward who combined skill with a larger-than-life personality and left a lasting mark on the game.

PART ONE

Born in Swindon on 17 March 1943, Roger Patrick Hunt—better known as Ernie—was destined for a career in football. Working for British Rail as a teenager, he joined Swindon Town’s youth ranks in 1957 and made his first-team debut on 15 September 1959, in a 3–0 defeat against Grimsby Town. At just 16 years and 182 days old, he became the club’s youngest-ever first-team player, a record that stood for over two decades.

Hunt quickly became an indispensable figure at the Wiltshire club, possessing an eye for goal that made him Swindon’s top scorer for four consecutive seasons. Moreover, his contributions were vital as Swindon secured promotion to the Second Division in the 1962-63 campaign. Yet, despite his exploits, Swindon struggled to maintain their status, ultimately suffering relegation in 1965. Consequently, Hunt moved on, signing for Wolverhampton Wanderers in September 1965 for a then-club record fee of £40,000.

At Wolverhampton, Ernie Hunt’s scoring prowess remained evident, and he played a pivotal role in Wolves’ promotion to the First Division in the 1966–67 season, finishing as the club’s top scorer with 20 goals. Furthermore, in the summer of 1967, he embarked on a rather unique adventure, representing the Los Angeles Wolves in the United Soccer Association. The team, essentially a rebranded Wolverhampton Wanderers side, triumphed in the tournament, marking an unusual yet significant chapter in Hunt’s career.

Despite his fine form in the Second Division, his opportunities in the First Division became limited, and in September 1967, Wolverhampton accepted an £80,000 bid from Everton. Unfortunately, Hunt’s stint at Goodison Park was anything but successful. Unable to settle on Merseyside, he made only 12 appearances for the Toffees before being offloaded to Coventry City in March 1968 for £65,000. While his spell with Everton was forgettable, his move to Coventry would bring about the most famous moment of his playing days.

PART TWO

Ernie Hunt flourished at Coventry City, becoming a massive favorite amongst the fans for his tenacity, creativity, and goal-scoring ability. However, it was on 3 October 1970, in a convincing 3-1 Division One victory over former club Everton at Highfield Road, that he managed to etch his name into soccer folklore.

Awarded a free kick just outside the Everton penalty area, Coventry and Scotland international midfielder Willie Carr executed an innovative maneuver—gripping the ball between his heels and flicking it into the air—allowing Hunt to unleash a stunning volley beyond helpless away shot stopper Andy Rankin. The sheer audacity of the strike, coupled with its flawless execution, saw it awarded the BBC’s inaugural Goal of the Season. Yet, in a classic case of the authorities clamping down on innovation, the technique was outlawed shortly afterwards. Nonetheless, the goal remains one of the most memorable ever scored in English football.

While Ernie Hunt continued to impress at Coventry, his career at the top level gradually wound down. A brief loan spell with Fourth Division side Doncaster Rovers followed, and he eventually left the Midlanders for Division Two outfit Bristol City, where he played out his final Football League season in 1973–74.

Retirement from active playing often presents a challenge for former professionals, but Hunt took it all in stride, dabbling in various occupations, including running a pub in Ledbury. Moreover, he even tried his hand at window cleaning—a far cry from the glamorous world of top-flight football. He nevertheless remained a beloved figure within footballing circles and he was later inducted into the Coventry City Hall of Fame.