|
David Hirst's career ended prematurely at the highest level after a number of injury problems.
David, born in Cudworth, was another product of Barnsley's youth team and made his Oakwell debut in the 1985-86 season at Charlton. It was quite clear even at that early stage though that the lad was a bit special.
'Hirsty' played 29 games for the Reds, notching 9 goals before injury struck at the latter part of the season, although he recovered to tour China with the England Youth set up.
Hirst's speed, power and goalscoring talent soon had several clubs in pursuit of his signature. Amongst them were Leeds Utd, Huddersfield and Middlesborough, but it was a move out of the blue by Sheffield Wednesday that sent the banter through the Oakwell faithful that one of our best players had been sold once again.
Sheffield Wednesday soon reaped the benefits of Hirst and by the time he left Hillsborough he had scored 118 goals for the Owls in 316 appearances. Hirst who had represented England at youth level emerged with three England caps and one goal to his credit during his stint at Sheffield, as well as scoring Wednesday's Wembley goal in an F.A. Cup Final against Arsenal.
Hirst's best haul of goals came in the 1990-91 season when he registered 24 in 41 appearances for the Owls.
David's name was a target for Manchester Utd at one point, with a transfer fee in excess of £4m rumoured to have been on the table.
However, his career at Wednesday was fraught with injury and it came as no surprise when David Pleat sold him to Southampton after he had emerged fit once again returning to the Owls first team.
Hirst scored against Barnsley in their first Premiership season when the Reds were beaten 4-1 at the Dell, and proved to be the perfect foil for young Kevin Davies as Southampton once again secured their place in football's top division.
Hirst was forced to retire from the game and in some respects injury robbed him of further England caps when at his best was level pegging with Alan Shearer for a regular England shirt.
|
|
