Noel Hunt

Noel Hunt (born 26 December 1982) is an Irish footballer manager and former professional footballer who most recently was interim manager of Reading.

A striker, he began his career in Ireland with Shamrock Rovers, also playing for Waterford United on loan.

Hunt began playing junior club football in his home city of Waterford, before being signed by Damien Richardson for League of Ireland club, Shamrock Rovers in Dublin in 2001, aged 18.

He made his competitive debut in a 3–2 League of Ireland Cup win over Shelbourne on 29 October 2001, and scored his first competitive goal in the same competition in January.

Rovers then loaned him out to Waterford United where he scored five league goals in the First Division in the 2001–02 season.

Scoring on his debut in December 2001 he was later embroiled in controversy as the Blues were deducted three points due to incorrect registration.

The following season was the last winter football season and in the shortened 27-game series, new manager Liam Buckley played Hunt and he rewarded the club by being top club goalscorer with eleven league goals and two FAI Cup goals to propel Rovers to the FAI Cup final and third place in the league.

During this time he also made his European debut playing twice for the club in the UEFA Cup.

He moved to Scotland in 2003, where he played for Dunfermline Athletic and Dundee United.

His final match for Shamrock Rovers was on the last day of the season, 26 January 2003, when he was substituted to a hero's reception in a game where Rovers beat Longford Town 3–2 to secure a place in the UEFA Intertoto Cup.

He was awarded the Shamrock Rovers Player of the Year award that season.

Hunt scored a total of 14 goals for the "Hoops".

Hunt moved to Scottish Premier League club Dunfermline Athletic in a £100,000 deal on 27 January 2003, going on to win the clubs' Young Player of the Season award for the 2003–04 season.

His pace and aggressive running won praise from Dunfermline supporters, but his time at the club was disrupted somewhat by a recurring knee injury.

He joined Dundee United in June 2006 for £50,000, scoring his first goal on 5 August against Rangers in his second match for the club, a 2–2 draw.

On 14 October he scored against Celtic in a 4–1 defeat and scored the winner against Kilmarnock in November.

His goals continued with winners against St Mirren, Inverness Caledonian Thistle, and Motherwell.

However, after injuring himself scoring the winner against Motherwell in December, he failed to score again until his goal in the 4–0 away victory over Hearts in March 2007.

In the 2007–08 season, Hunt scored three times in the opening six league matches, as well as a goal in the League Cup Final, a match United lost to Rangers on penalties amidst refereeing controversy, during a 2–2 draw.

On 31 October 2007 in a League Cup match against Hamilton Academical, he scored his first hat-trick for United in a 3–1 win.

He has played in England since 2008, with spells at Reading, Leeds United, Ipswich Town, Southend United, Portsmouth and Wigan Athletic, prior to returning to Ireland and rejoining Waterford 2018.

Hunt has also represented the Republic of Ireland national team.

Having previously played at under-21 and B international level, he won three full caps between 2008 and 2009.

His brother, Stephen, is also an Irish international footballer.

On 23 July 2008 Hunt moved to Championship side Reading for an undisclosed fee rumoured to be around £600,000.

Having taken the club's number 11 shirt, recently vacated by John Oster, Hunt joined up with the squad's tour of Sweden and scored his first goal in a 3–1 win over Halmstads BK on 29 July.

In the absence of Reading manager Steve Coppell (who was already in Sweden), Director of Football Nicky Hammond said that although "Dundee United didn't want to lose Noel but understood his real desire to embark upon a new challenge with Reading Football Club. From my conversations with Noel, it is clear that he possesses the qualities of hunger and determination that Steve Coppell wants at this club as we attempt to regain a place in the Premier League."

He played his first competitive game for Reading on 12 August 2008, scoring the deciding goal in a 2–1 win over Dagenham & Redbridge in the first round of the Football League Cup.

He also scored on his second appearance on 26 August 2008, scoring the first of five goals by Reading in a 5–1 result against Luton Town.

Hunt scored his first league goals for Reading when he scored twice in a 6–0 win over Sheffield Wednesday.

In February 2011, Hunt revealed he turned down SPL side Celtic to stay at Reading and signed a new 2-year deal with the club.

Hunt scored 8 goals in 41 Championship games during the 2011/12 season which helped Reading earn The Championship title and seal a return to the Premier League under the stewardship of manager Brian McDermott.

Hunt scored his first Premier League goal for Reading in the 2–2 draw with Newcastle United, heading them 2–1 up from a Jobi McAnuff cross.

He scored his second Premier League goal for Reading in a 2–2 draw with Swansea a week later, volleying in from inside the box.

In his final season at Reading.

In February 2012 Hunt was nominated for the PFA Player in the Community award.

Hunt revealed in January 2013 he was hoping to earn a new extended contract at Reading, with his contract expiring at the end of the 2012/13 season.

Hunt made 24 appearances in the Premier League and a further 6 in cup competitions, scoring 6 goals in all competitions, Hunt's first team opportunities were limited after competing with Adam le Fondre, Pavel Pogrebnyak, and Jason Roberts for first team places.

After Reading's relegation from the Premier League, Hunt was released by Reading at the end of his contract in May 2013.

On 3 July 2013, Hunt signed a two-year contract with Championship side Leeds United linking up with his former Reading boss, Brian McDermott.