Alan Hinton
Encyclopedia
Alan Thomas Hinton is an English
former footballer who most notably played for Derby County
and Nottingham Forest
in the 1960s. He famously wore white football boots.
in October 1959, before making his senior debut on 7 January 1961 in a 1–1 draw with in the FA Cup
.
He came into the Wolves team during the 1961-62 season when he managed 16 appearances, scoring 5 times. The following season he was a first choice in the wide left position, from where he netted 19 times, making him their leading goalscorer. He also won a call-up to the England team
during this season when he played against France
on 3 October 1962 in a European Championship qualifier at Hillsborough
.
His goalscoring ability soon attracted interest from other clubs and he signed for Nottingham Forest in January 1964. He appeared 112 times for Forest, scoring 24 times during 4 seasons at the City Ground
. His time with Forest also saw him earn two further England
caps, in a 2–2 draw with Belgium - in which he scored - and a 2–1 win over Wales
, both in 1964.
He was then signed by Brian Clough
for Derby County
(local rivals of Forest) in September 1967 for £
30,000. He spent eight seasons with the Rams, which coincided with the golden period in the club's history, winning promotion to the top flight as Second Division
champions in 1968-69 and then winning the league championship in both 1971-72 and 1974-75. He departed in 1975 after 253 appearances and 63 goals for Derby. Whilst at Derby he was universally and affectionately known, amongst the fans by his nickname `Gladys` which stemmed from his aforementioned white boots and curly blonde perm, along with his elegant and non-aggressive playing style.
After a brief stint as player-manager of non-league , he relocated to North America
in 1976. Hinton first played for the Dallas Tornado
for a season, before moving to the Vancouver Whitecaps
, where he ended his playing career and moved into coaching. Having settled in North America, Hinton managed only Canadian and American teams, his biggest successes were with the Seattle Sounders
(66 games, 45 wins) and later on the Tacoma Stars (87 games, 69 wins).
Hinton also spent a number of years coaching youth soccer in the Puget Sound area of Washington state and became known as "Mr. Soccer" in the area. He coached the U13-18 Crossfire Sounders boys team (now the Crossfire Premier Soccer Club, including boys and girls teams) from 1992-1997.
Hinton was involved in efforts to bring the 1994 FIFA World Cup
to the U.S., and when the Seattle Sounders name was revived for a new American Professional Soccer League
club in 1994, Hinton became club President and appointed himself as coach.
After retiring from coaching, Hinton turned to a career in real estate, while remaining involved in youth soccer. He now works as a local broadcast analyst for Seattle Sounders FC
. His nephew, Craig
, is also a professional footballer.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
former footballer who most notably played for Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
and Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
in the 1960s. He famously wore white football boots.
Career
Hinton started his career in the youth ranks at Wolverhampton WanderersWolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
in October 1959, before making his senior debut on 7 January 1961 in a 1–1 draw with in the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
.
He came into the Wolves team during the 1961-62 season when he managed 16 appearances, scoring 5 times. The following season he was a first choice in the wide left position, from where he netted 19 times, making him their leading goalscorer. He also won a call-up to the England team
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
during this season when he played against France
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
on 3 October 1962 in a European Championship qualifier at Hillsborough
Hillsborough Stadium
Hillsborough Stadium is the home of Sheffield Wednesday football club, Sheffield, England. Football has been played at the ground since it was opened on 2 September 1899, when Wednesday moved from their original ground at Olive Grove. Today it is a 39,812 capacity all-seater stadium, making it the...
.
His goalscoring ability soon attracted interest from other clubs and he signed for Nottingham Forest in January 1964. He appeared 112 times for Forest, scoring 24 times during 4 seasons at the City Ground
City Ground
The City Ground is a football stadium in the West Bridgford area of Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England, on the banks of the River Trent. It has been home to Nottingham Forest Football Club since 1898, and has a capacity of 30,602 ....
. His time with Forest also saw him earn two further England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
caps, in a 2–2 draw with Belgium - in which he scored - and a 2–1 win over Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
, both in 1964.
He was then signed by Brian Clough
Brian Clough
Brian Howard Clough, OBE was an English footballer and football manager. He is most notable for his success with Derby County and Nottingham Forest. His achievement of winning back-to-back European Cups with Nottingham Forest, a traditionally moderate provincial English club, is considered to be...
for Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
(local rivals of Forest) in September 1967 for £
Pound sterling
The pound sterling , commonly called the pound, is the official currency of the United Kingdom, its Crown Dependencies and the British Overseas Territories of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, British Antarctic Territory and Tristan da Cunha. It is subdivided into 100 pence...
30,000. He spent eight seasons with the Rams, which coincided with the golden period in the club's history, winning promotion to the top flight as Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
champions in 1968-69 and then winning the league championship in both 1971-72 and 1974-75. He departed in 1975 after 253 appearances and 63 goals for Derby. Whilst at Derby he was universally and affectionately known, amongst the fans by his nickname `Gladys` which stemmed from his aforementioned white boots and curly blonde perm, along with his elegant and non-aggressive playing style.
After a brief stint as player-manager of non-league , he relocated to North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
in 1976. Hinton first played for the Dallas Tornado
Dallas Tornado
Dallas Tornado were a soccer team based in Dallas that played in the NASL. They played from 1967 to 1981. Their home fields were Cotton Bowl , P.C. Cobb Stadium , Franklin Field , Texas Stadium and Ownby Stadium on the SMU campus...
for a season, before moving to the Vancouver Whitecaps
Vancouver Whitecaps (NASL)
The original Vancouver Whitecaps were founded on December 11, 1973 and during the 1970s and 1980s played in the North American Soccer League . The Whitecaps achieved success, winning the 1979 Soccer Bowl. The Whitecaps of that era included international players such as Alan Ball, but also "home...
, where he ended his playing career and moved into coaching. Having settled in North America, Hinton managed only Canadian and American teams, his biggest successes were with the Seattle Sounders
Seattle Sounders (NASL)
The Seattle Sounders were a U.S. professional soccer team based in Seattle, Washington. Founded in 1974, the team belonged to the North American Soccer League where it played both indoor and outdoor soccer. The team folded after the 1983 NASL outdoor season.-Stadium:The Sounders played at Memorial...
(66 games, 45 wins) and later on the Tacoma Stars (87 games, 69 wins).
Hinton also spent a number of years coaching youth soccer in the Puget Sound area of Washington state and became known as "Mr. Soccer" in the area. He coached the U13-18 Crossfire Sounders boys team (now the Crossfire Premier Soccer Club, including boys and girls teams) from 1992-1997.
Hinton was involved in efforts to bring the 1994 FIFA World Cup
1994 FIFA World Cup
The 1994 FIFA World Cup, the 15th staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in nine cities across the United States from June 17 to July 17, 1994. The United States was chosen as the host by FIFA on July 4, 1988...
to the U.S., and when the Seattle Sounders name was revived for a new American Professional Soccer League
American Professional Soccer League
The American Professional Soccer League is a former professional men's soccer league which featured teams from both the United States and Canada. It was the first outdoor soccer league to feature teams from throughout the United States since the demise of the original North American Soccer League...
club in 1994, Hinton became club President and appointed himself as coach.
After retiring from coaching, Hinton turned to a career in real estate, while remaining involved in youth soccer. He now works as a local broadcast analyst for Seattle Sounders FC
Seattle Sounders FC
Seattle Sounders FC is an American professional soccer club based in Seattle, Washington. The club competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Sounders FC was established in November 2007 as a MLS expansion team, making it the 15th team in...
. His nephew, Craig
Craig Hinton (footballer)
Craig 'Alan' Hinton is an English professional footballer who can play anywhere along the back line...
, is also a professional footballer.