What a coup that appeared to be for the Wanderers.
In many ways, Hunt was the Michael Owen of his day. On Merseyside he was idolised for his goal-scoring exploits.
Only four years before joining Bolton he had spearheaded England's attack alongside Geoff Hurst in the historic 1996 World Cup triumph over West Germany.
The happy Bolton fans sat back and waited for an explosion of goals from Hunt in their club's colours.
And do you know what happened? Nothing.
One of the great marksman in English soccer throughout the 60s suddenly found goals were as rare as a buttercup in December after switching clubs.
Can Hunt's sudden and dramatic loss of effectiveness after moving from Anfield to Burnden Park be explained?
I believe it can. Because Hunt's miserable experiences as a Bolton player offers concrete proof that the "horses-for-courses" theory in soccer really does hold water.
It is an inescapable fact that in professional soccer there have been, and aways will be, players who are "made" for one particular club.
And the same applies in reverse. There are clubs which are "made" for one particular player.
Take David Beckham, for example. Forget the unseemly events which sorrounded his departure from Old Trafford. Beckham was made for Manchester United and Manchester United were made for him.
Will Beckham have the same influence on the Real Madrid team that he had on in Manchester?
As hard as he tries, I doubt very much that he will.
Another example of the "horses-for-courses" theory in practice.
And that brings me onto Shaun Wright-Phillips at Manchester City who in recent weeks has become the priority transfer target for Tottenham Hotspur.
City's little bundle of energy, I'm sure, will be both flattered and interested in the interest being shown in him by the new Spurs manager Jacques Santini.
And Wright-Phillips, we should remember, is a Londoner by birth. His family still live in the capital. His roots are there. His schoolboy friends will still be there.
Both in terms of his career and social life, I can well understand why he might look favourably on a move from Eastlands to White Hart Lane.
As strongly as possible I would urge Shaun to put aside any thoughts of leaving City for Spurs.
He might have a happier social life in London, it's true, where he will be back in the bosom of his family. But I have a gut feeling that a switch of clubs would prove disastrous for his career.
Because if any current Premiership footballer epitomises the "horses-for-courses" theory then it has to be Shaun.
I vividly remember watching the young Wright-Phillips in a Blue shirt shortly after his arrival at Maine Road following his release from Nottingham Forest.
The energy was there. The talent was there. But he was as wild as the wind
Behind the scenes, the Blues coaching staff chipped away at the raw edges of Wright-Phillips's game and found that underneath was a genuine, 24-carat diamond waiting to get out. That diamond is now embedded in the hearts of the City faithful.
It is a privilege reserved for a special few.
Colin Bell was adored by the Blues fans during his playing career. More recently Shaun Goater was idolised and hero-worshipped by a different generation of City supporters.
And it is now Wright-Phillips who enjoys that unique relationship with the thousands who make the pilgrimage to Eastlands for every home match.
Wright-Phillips, I trust, will acknowledge the part played by the City fans in the development of his career. It is a wonderful feeling for any footballer to know that he can make a mistake and still rely on the total support of the paying customers at the City of Manchester Stadium.
It is total support like that which has enabled Wright-Phillips to play without fear while wearing the Blue shirt. And he's become a far, far better player because of it.
Kevin Keegan has already said that City would not be the same without Wright-Phillips but, in my book, it is equally true to say that Wright-Phillips would not be the same without City.
Shaun is still in his early 20s and, like most young people, he probably believes that the grass is a little bit greener on the other side of the hill.
Take it from one with a few more miles on the clock, Shaun lad. The grass is NEVER greener on the other side of the hill.
Sign your new contract and prove to Spurs, and any other interested club, that you appreciate everything you've got going for you at the Blue Camp.
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MY GOD !
A decent and unbiased piece of journalism from the MuEN.
Keep it up.
Decent and unbiased?????
That article is, quite simply, a load of tosh. Highlighting two players spread over almost 40 years of footballing history in order to back up an unsubstantiated claim that Wright-Phillips' career would nose-dive should he ever leave the blues? Do me a favour!!!
Yeah sure, certain players shine at certain clubs. Certain players form an affinity to certain clubs. But it is impossible to state that those players wouldn't have produced the same form had they played for another club during that particular period in their career. Ever thought it might also have something to do with a player being in his prime? (Wasn't Roger Hunt 32 when he signed for Bolton? Hardly a good comparison to Sweep, who still has 5-6 years before he will be considered to be in his prime.)
The author wrote: "Hunt's miserable experiences as a Bolton player offers concrete proof that the "horses-for-courses" theory in soccer really does hold water"
Rubbish. Citing one player from the history of football does not offer concrete proof of anything.
What about the situation whereby a player has re-signed for a club and not been able to get anywhere near the form that they enjoyed during their first spell? How does the "horses-for-courses theory" account for this?
Thankfully I am writing this after it has just been announced that Sweep has signed his extension. I somehow doubt however, that this particular article had any bearing upon his decision to do so.
good review of the situation but still no review on the under 15s win against man utd and the 2 teams did well to get to the final at old trafford out of 7900 teams enterd from the world we beat barcelona , corinthians(brazil) atlas mexican champs) and what not a mention in the muen and all the city players home grown from manchester all but one welsh ?????????? is this not a great achievment that city and utd both reached the final regardless of who one the competion ????????it shows what a great future manchester should have with players they have got
Do these comments go up straight away?
Great comment, and spot-on, I think. But who'se the writer?
i recognise that writing. come on blues, you know, the man that swears to be a blue yet writes about united for the muen. the man can not write an article about city without mentioning united. not in a derogatory way either which most blues prefer to read, but blowing the red trumpet and annoying every true city fan by putting doen city and bigging up united. yes paul hince is red through and through. Last week he was in romania or wherever it was united played that champs lge qualifier reporting on them. even united fans quite like him. the man is a disgrace, one of the main reasons i don't buy the evening news anymore and i hope other blues don't fall for his "city me" pleas cos hes as red as your average cockney.