Chris Hackett

Christopher James Hackett (born 1 March 1983) is an English retired footballer who currently works as assistant manager at Oxford United.

Born in Oxford, Oxfordshire, Hackett started his career with home-town club Oxford United, where he progressed through the club's youth system and reserve side.

His appearances for Oxford United's SE Counties League youth team earned Hackett a place among the club's first-year trainees, beginning in July 1999.

His performances for the youth team led to a first-team call up by manager Denis Smith.

Hackett made his debut as a 77th-minute substitute in a 2–0 loss against Wigan Athletic on 8 April 2000.

He made a further substitute appearance in the last match of the season.

In 2000–01, Hackett featured more frequently in the first team and received more playing time.

On 16 December 2000, he scored his first goal for the club, in a 3–1 win over Northampton Town.

After the match, his performance was praised by manager Dave Kemp, who said: "Chris was a breath of fresh air on the wing. He's a bright talent for this club. It was a great individual goal but a great team goal as well, because there had been some good passing before that. I'm delighted with the performance."

Shortly afterwards, Hackett was offered a five-year contract.

His performances attracted interest from larger clubs such as Coventry City, Manchester United, Newcastle United and Middlesbrough.

By the end of the 2000–01 season, Hackett had made eighteen appearances and scored twice in all competitions.

Hackett returned from injury and featured in the reserve side at the start of the following season.

Hackett's second goal came on 10 February 2001, in a 2–1 defeat to Wycombe Wanderers.

In his following match, he was sent off after elbowing Chris Armstrong, in a 3–1 loss to Bury.

He later played in different positions before being sidelined with a hernia injury that kept him out for the rest of the season.

His first appearance in the first team was on 16 October 2001 when he came on as a second-half substitute in a 2–0 defeat to Northampton Town.

Hackett was returned to the reserve side but soon regained his first-team place.

He earned praise from manager Ian Atkins, who said: "The only one that you can say has really been listening over the last few weeks is Chrissy Hackett. He came on Tuesday night and put some good crosses into the six-yard box. Other players had chances to get the ball into areas where it can hurt defenders, but didn't do it."

However, halfway through the season Hackett and team-mate Dean Whitehead were criticised by Atkins for refusing to follow a fitness programme, an accusation denied by the pair, who claimed a misunderstanding.

Hackett made seventeen first-team appearances during the season.

In 2002–03, Hackett was given the number 7 shirt following the departure of Martin Thomas.

In a match against Swansea City on 12 October 2002, Hackett came on as a substitute in the 68th minute and set up the winner and the only goal of the game, for Jefferson Louis.

After the match, he said of his restricted appearances from the substitute bench: "I've never had a problem with it. I've had to wait my chance, but the gaffer and Fordy have said it would come. It's a squad game and we've got a really good squad at Oxford."

In a 2–2 draw against Shrewsbury Town on 26 October 2002, Hackett was sent off for a second bookable offence in the last minute of the game.

Following his suspension, he returned to the reserve side for most of the season.

making just 14 first-team appearances in all competitions in 2002–03.

Hackett began 2003–04 on the substitutes' bench and playing for the reserves, but he had regained his first-team place by the start of October.

On 21 October 2003, Hackett scored in a 2–2 draw against York.

After the match, he was praised by the club's assistant David Oldfield, who said: "Chris Hackett has come on in recent games and caused problems for teams. He came on with a good attitude and in recent weeks has looked very sharp in training, with some great finishing and crossing. He deserved a goal."

By December, his playing time was reduced, due to competition from Emmanuel Omoyinmi and Jefferson Louis, and he spent months in the club's reserve side once again.

He regained his first-team place at the start of March, but suffered and injury towards the end of the season.

His goal against York proved to be his only goal in 25 appearances in all competitions in 2003–04.

Hackett signed a new two-year contract with Oxford on 18 June 2004.

He started the season well, setting up a goal for Tommy Mooney, who was to be the club's top scorer later in the 2004–05, in a 1–0 win over Mansfield Town on 11 August 2004.

However, Hackett sustained suspected medial ligament damage during a 0–0 draw against Leyton Orient on 21 August 2004, and did not return until 25 September 2005 when he came on as a substitute in the second half and set up two goals in a 3–1 win over Bury.

Hackett soon regained his first-team place for the side, setting up both goals against Cambridge United in a 2–1 win in Ramón Díaz's first match in charge on 11 December 2004.

On Boxing Day 2004 he scored his first goal of the season, against Rushden & Diamonds, in a 3–3 draw.

In a 2–1 win over Wycombe Wanderers on 1 January 2005, he was sent off in the 34th minute "for kicking out at Tony Craig on the ground" and served a three-match ban as a result.

He scored on his return from suspension on 22 January 2005, in a 3–1 win over Kidderminster Harriers.