Phil Hardy
Encyclopedia
Philip "Phil" Hardy is an English-born former Ireland under-21
footballer who played as a left-back
. With Welsh club Wrexham from 1990 to 2001, he played more than 450 games under manager Brian Flynn
. He was named on the PFA Team of the Year
for the 1991–92 Fourth Division
campaign. He picked up both a winners medal and a runners-up medal in the Welsh Cup
, and during his time at the club Wrexham reached four FAW Premier Cup
finals, winning on three occasions, and were also promoted out of the Third Division
in 1992–93. He later played ten games for Port Vale
, before leaving the professional game in 2002.
Wrexham, signing professionally for Brian Flynn
's side in 1990. He played in the Welsh Cup
final at the Cardiff Arms Park
in 1991
, in what finished as a 2–0 win for Swansea City
. An ever-present in the 1991–92 season, along with fellow full-back Andy Thackeray
, he played in the club's giant-killing of Arsenal
in the FA Cup
Third Round. They were eventually defeated by West Ham United
in the next round, following a replay. For his performances, Hardy was named on the PFA Team of the Year
.
Following the creation of the Premier League, Wrexham spent the 1992–93 season in the Third Division
. A second place finish then won the club promotion into the Second Division
. The "Red Dragons" held their own in the third tier, and remained in the division for the rest of Hardy's time at the club.
He played in the 1995 Welsh Cup Final victory over Cardiff City
, his first appearance in a cup final. Wrexham equalled a club record by reaching the FA Cup
quarter-finals in 1996–97, beating Colwyn Bay
, Scunthorpe United
, West Ham United, Peterborough United
and Birmingham City
on the way. Drawn against Chesterfield
, also of the Third Division, a 1–0 defeat at Saltergate prevented the club from making a first-ever appearance in the FA Cup Semi-finals
. However Hardy was limited to just sixteen appearances throughout the 1996–97 season.
He posted 39 appearances in 1997–98, picking up seven yellow cards. Wrexham became the inaugural winners of the FAW Premier Cup
in 1998, beating Cardiff City 2–1 at the Racecourse Ground
. He played 42 games in 1998–99, and at the end of the season Wrexham played in the 1999 FAW Premier Cup Final, losing out 2–1 to Barry Town
. He played 45 games in 1999–2000, and Wrexham won the FAW Premier Cup for a third time in 2000, following a 2–0 victory over Cardiff City. Over the course of the campaign he was sent off against Luton Town
and Bristol Rovers
, and scored his first league goal in a 1–0 win over Colchester United
on 24 April.
He made just fourteen appearances in 2000–01, as Wrexham reached the FAW Premier Cup final for a fourth time in 2001, and beat Swansea City
2–0 at Vetch Field
. He departed the club at the end of the campaign. Despite being granted a testimonial match
for serving the club for more than ten years and playing over 450 games (in all competitions), financial problems from the 2001 season onwards meant that he never received the game.
In June 2001 he signed with Brian Horton
's Port Vale
. He scored on his league debut for the "Valiants" on 25 August, helping Vale to beat Peterborough United
4–1 at Vale Park
. However he was out of the first team picture by October, and was transfer listed in November. Chester City
expressed interest in signing him on loan the following month. He joined Luton Town on trial in January 2002, but manager Joe Kinnear
decided that Hardy was too small for the Third Division. With ten appearances to his name in 2001–02
, he left Vale in April 2002. In November that year had a trial with Mansfield Town
. However the 29 year old failed to find a contract at another Football League
club, and announced his retirement.
for the Republic of Ireland U21
side.
On 29 May 1993, Hardy was a member of an Irish side which played Hungary
in a testimonial for David O'Leary
, coming on as a substitute for Steve Staunton
; the Hungarians won the match 4–2. Although the rest of the Irish team were past or future internationals, the match has not been granted full international status.
, before becoming a driver for a factory in Ellesmere Port
.
Republic of Ireland national under-21 football team
The Republic of Ireland national under-21 football team, is the national under-21 football team of the Republic of Ireland and is controlled by the Football Association of Ireland and competes in the biennial European Under-21 Football Championship and has competed since 1978.-Competition...
footballer who played as a left-back
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
. With Welsh club Wrexham from 1990 to 2001, he played more than 450 games under manager Brian Flynn
Brian Flynn
Brian Flynn, is a Welsh football manager and former Welsh international player.On 13 September 2010 Flynn was confirmed caretaker manager of the Wales national football team after John Toshack stepped down...
. He was named on the PFA Team of the Year
PFA Team of the Year
The Professional Footballers' Association Team of the Year is an annual award given to a set of 44 footballers in the top four tiers of English football; the Premier League, the Championship, League One and League Two, whom are seen to be deserving of being named in a "Team of the Year".The award...
for the 1991–92 Fourth Division
Football League Fourth Division
The Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
campaign. He picked up both a winners medal and a runners-up medal in the Welsh Cup
Welsh Cup
The Welsh Cup is a knock-out football competition contested annually by teams from Wales.The Football Association of Wales is the organising body of this competition, which has been run every year since its inception in 1877-78...
, and during his time at the club Wrexham reached four FAW Premier Cup
FAW Premier Cup
The FAW Premier Cup is a defunct Welsh football cup competition, organised annually by the Football Association of Wales from 1997 to 2008...
finals, winning on three occasions, and were also promoted out of the Third Division
Football League Third Division
The Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
in 1992–93. He later played ten games for Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
, before leaving the professional game in 2002.
Club career
Hardy started his career with Fourth DivisionFootball League Fourth Division
The Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
Wrexham, signing professionally for Brian Flynn
Brian Flynn
Brian Flynn, is a Welsh football manager and former Welsh international player.On 13 September 2010 Flynn was confirmed caretaker manager of the Wales national football team after John Toshack stepped down...
's side in 1990. He played in the Welsh Cup
Welsh Cup
The Welsh Cup is a knock-out football competition contested annually by teams from Wales.The Football Association of Wales is the organising body of this competition, which has been run every year since its inception in 1877-78...
final at the Cardiff Arms Park
Cardiff Arms Park
Cardiff Arms Park , also known as The Arms Park, is primarily known as a rugby union stadium, but it also has a bowling green, and is situated in the centre of Cardiff, Wales. The Arms Park was host to the British Empire and Commonwealth Games in 1958, and hosted four games in the 1991 Rugby World...
in 1991
1991 Welsh Cup Final
The 1980 Welsh Cup Final was the final of the 93rd season of the main domestic football cup competition in Wales, the Welsh Cup. The final was contested between and over two legs...
, in what finished as a 2–0 win for Swansea City
Swansea City A.F.C.
Swansea City Association Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Swansea, Wales. One of the most successful clubs in Welsh football, it has won 10 Welsh Cups and led the English Football League First Division in December 1981, before finishing the season in 6th position...
. An ever-present in the 1991–92 season, along with fellow full-back Andy Thackeray
Andy Thackeray
Andrew John "Andy" Thackeray is an English former professional footballer who made more than 400 appearances in the Football League playing as a defender....
, he played in the club's giant-killing of Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
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...
Third Round. They were eventually defeated by West Ham United
West Ham United F.C.
West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
in the next round, following a replay. For his performances, Hardy was named on the PFA Team of the Year
PFA Team of the Year
The Professional Footballers' Association Team of the Year is an annual award given to a set of 44 footballers in the top four tiers of English football; the Premier League, the Championship, League One and League Two, whom are seen to be deserving of being named in a "Team of the Year".The award...
.
Following the creation of the Premier League, Wrexham spent the 1992–93 season in the Third Division
Football League Third Division
The Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
. A second place finish then won the club promotion into the 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...
. The "Red Dragons" held their own in the third tier, and remained in the division for the rest of Hardy's time at the club.
He played in the 1995 Welsh Cup Final victory over Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
, his first appearance in a cup final. Wrexham equalled a club record by reaching 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...
quarter-finals in 1996–97, beating Colwyn Bay
Colwyn Bay F.C.
Colwyn Bay F.C. are a Welsh football club, as of the 2011–12 season are playing in the Conference North. Nicknamed the Seagulls, the club play at Llanelian Road in Old Colwyn.-History:...
, Scunthorpe United
Scunthorpe United F.C.
Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One....
, West Ham United, Peterborough United
Peterborough United F.C.
Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is...
and Birmingham City
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Birmingham, England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, they became Small Heath in 1888, then Birmingham in 1905, finally becoming Birmingham City in 1943.They were relegated at the end of the...
on the way. Drawn against Chesterfield
Chesterfield F.C.
Chesterfield Football Club is an English football club based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The club currently plays in Football League One, the third tier of English football. Despite being the fourth oldest Football League club in England, they have spent most of their existence in the lower...
, also of the Third Division, a 1–0 defeat at Saltergate prevented the club from making a first-ever appearance in the FA Cup Semi-finals
FA Cup Semi-finals
The FA Cup Semi-finals are played to determine which teams will contest the FA Cup Final. They are the penultimate phase of the FA Cup, the oldest football tournament in the world.- Location :...
. However Hardy was limited to just sixteen appearances throughout the 1996–97 season.
He posted 39 appearances in 1997–98, picking up seven yellow cards. Wrexham became the inaugural winners of the FAW Premier Cup
FAW Premier Cup
The FAW Premier Cup is a defunct Welsh football cup competition, organised annually by the Football Association of Wales from 1997 to 2008...
in 1998, beating Cardiff City 2–1 at the Racecourse Ground
Racecourse Ground
The Glyndŵr University Racecourse Stadium AKA The Racecourse Ground is a stadium located in Wrexham, North Wales. It is the home of Wrexham F.C. and, since 2010, the Crusaders Rugby League team who play in the engage Super League...
. He played 42 games in 1998–99, and at the end of the season Wrexham played in the 1999 FAW Premier Cup Final, losing out 2–1 to Barry Town
Barry Town F.C.
Barry Town FC are a football team based in Barry. They dominated the League of Wales during the 1990s, but finished bottom in 2003-04 and were relegated...
. He played 45 games in 1999–2000, and Wrexham won the FAW Premier Cup for a third time in 2000, following a 2–0 victory over Cardiff City. Over the course of the campaign he was sent off against Luton Town
Luton Town F.C.
Luton Town Football Club is an English professional football club based since 1905 at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Bedfordshire. The club currently competes in the fifth tier of English football, the Conference National, for the third consecutive season during the 2011–12 season.Formed in 1885, it was...
and Bristol Rovers
Bristol Rovers F.C.
Bristol Rovers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Bristol, that competes in Football League Two. The team plays its home matches at the Memorial Stadium, in the Horfield area of the city....
, and scored his first league goal in a 1–0 win over Colchester United
Colchester United F.C.
Colchester United Football Club is an English football club based in Colchester. The club was formed in 1937, and briefly shared their old Layer Road home with now defunct side Colchester Town who had previously used the ground from 1910....
on 24 April.
He made just fourteen appearances in 2000–01, as Wrexham reached the FAW Premier Cup final for a fourth time in 2001, and beat Swansea City
Swansea City A.F.C.
Swansea City Association Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Swansea, Wales. One of the most successful clubs in Welsh football, it has won 10 Welsh Cups and led the English Football League First Division in December 1981, before finishing the season in 6th position...
2–0 at Vetch Field
Vetch Field
The Vetch Field was a multi-purpose stadium in Swansea, Wales. It was used mostly for football matches and was the home ground of Swansea City until the Liberty Stadium opened in 2005. Opened in 1912, the ground held around 12,000 at the time of its closure, but upwards of 30,000 at its peak...
. He departed the club at the end of the campaign. Despite being granted a testimonial match
Testimonial match
A testimonial match or testimonial game, often referred to simply as a testimonial, is a practice in some sports, notably football and especially in the United Kingdom, where a club puts on a match in honour of a player for service to the club....
for serving the club for more than ten years and playing over 450 games (in all competitions), financial problems from the 2001 season onwards meant that he never received the game.
In June 2001 he signed with Brian Horton
Brian Horton
Brian Horton is an English former footballer and manager, who is working as Phil Brown's assistant at Preston North End.Horton played for Hednesford Town, Port Vale, Brighton & Hove Albion, Luton Town and Hull City as a midfielder...
's Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
. He scored on his league debut for the "Valiants" on 25 August, helping Vale to beat Peterborough United
Peterborough United F.C.
Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is...
4–1 at Vale Park
Vale Park
Vale Park is a football stadium in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, England. It is the home ground of Port Vale F.C., who have played at the ground since 1950....
. However he was out of the first team picture by October, and was transfer listed in November. Chester City
Chester City F.C.
Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
expressed interest in signing him on loan the following month. He joined Luton Town on trial in January 2002, but manager Joe Kinnear
Joe Kinnear
Joseph Patrick "Joe" Kinnear is an Irish football manager and former player. He was most recently the manager of Newcastle United....
decided that Hardy was too small for the Third Division. With ten appearances to his name in 2001–02
2001–02 Port Vale F.C. season
The 2001–02 season was Port Vale's ninetieth season of football in the Football League, and second successive season in the Second Division. On the pitch Vale finished in mid-table, whilst exiting both the FA Cup and the League Cup at the Second Round, and the League Trophy at the Area...
, he left Vale in April 2002. In November that year had a trial with Mansfield Town
Mansfield Town F.C.
Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910...
. However the 29 year old failed to find a contract at another Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
club, and announced his retirement.
International career
Hardy earned three capsCap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
for the Republic of Ireland U21
Republic of Ireland national under-21 football team
The Republic of Ireland national under-21 football team, is the national under-21 football team of the Republic of Ireland and is controlled by the Football Association of Ireland and competes in the biennial European Under-21 Football Championship and has competed since 1978.-Competition...
side.
On 29 May 1993, Hardy was a member of an Irish side which played Hungary
Hungary national football team
The Hungary national football team represents Hungary in international football and is controlled by the Hungarian Football Federation....
in a testimonial for David O'Leary
David O'Leary
David Anthony O'Leary is an Irish football manager and former player. His managerial career began at Leeds United and later he managed Aston Villa. He most recently worked as the manager of Al-Ahli Dubai...
, coming on as a substitute for Steve Staunton
Steve Staunton
Stephen "Steve" Staunton is an Irish association football manager and former professional footballer, who was most recently manager of Darlington...
; the Hungarians won the match 4–2. Although the rest of the Irish team were past or future internationals, the match has not been granted full international status.
Post-retirement
After retiring Hardy went on to a career in engineeringEngineering
Engineering is the discipline, art, skill and profession of acquiring and applying scientific, mathematical, economic, social, and practical knowledge, in order to design and build structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes that safely realize improvements to the lives of...
, before becoming a driver for a factory in Ellesmere Port
Ellesmere Port
Ellesmere Port is a large industrial town and port in the unitary authority of Cheshire West and Chester and the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England. It is situated on the south border of the Wirral Peninsula on the banks of the Manchester Ship Canal, which in turn gives access to the River...
.
Honours
with Wrexham- PFA Team of the YearPFA Team of the YearThe Professional Footballers' Association Team of the Year is an annual award given to a set of 44 footballers in the top four tiers of English football; the Premier League, the Championship, League One and League Two, whom are seen to be deserving of being named in a "Team of the Year".The award...
(Fourth DivisionFootball League Fourth DivisionThe Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
): 1991–92 - Football League Third DivisionFootball League Third DivisionThe Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
runner-up: 1992–93 - Welsh CupWelsh CupThe Welsh Cup is a knock-out football competition contested annually by teams from Wales.The Football Association of Wales is the organising body of this competition, which has been run every year since its inception in 1877-78...
winner: 1995 - Welsh CupWelsh CupThe Welsh Cup is a knock-out football competition contested annually by teams from Wales.The Football Association of Wales is the organising body of this competition, which has been run every year since its inception in 1877-78...
runner-up: 19911991 Welsh Cup FinalThe 1980 Welsh Cup Final was the final of the 93rd season of the main domestic football cup competition in Wales, the Welsh Cup. The final was contested between and over two legs... - FAW Premier CupFAW Premier CupThe FAW Premier Cup is a defunct Welsh football cup competition, organised annually by the Football Association of Wales from 1997 to 2008...
winner: 1998, 2000 & 2001 - FAW Premier CupFAW Premier CupThe FAW Premier Cup is a defunct Welsh football cup competition, organised annually by the Football Association of Wales from 1997 to 2008...
runner-up: 1999