Richard Hall (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Richard Anthony Hall is an English former professional footballer
who played as a defender
. He is currently a Development Coach at Colchester United, having previously been the reserve team coach at Ipswich Town.
but was let go at the age of 16. He then joined Scunthorpe United
in July 1988 as a trainee. He made his debut on Boxing Day
1989 (against Grimsby Town
), but, despite signing a professional contract on 20 March 1990, he did not appear again until the following season. He soon attracted the attention of scouts from larger clubs and joined Division 1 club Southampton before the season was over. He made 31 league and cup appearances for the club, scoring 3 goals.
joining Southampton
for a fee of £200,000. He made his debut in the final match of the season against Wimbledon
on 11 May 1991.
The powerfully built defender soon became a first choice central defender as Southampton struggled annually to remain in the newly formed Premiership. As well as commanding his own penalty area he was also a real threat in the opposition's box, including scoring with a header in the opening match of the 1991–92 season
at Tottenham Hotspur
. Unfortunately, the regular change-over of managers resulted in the club allowing his contract to expire at the end of the 1995–96 season and he was snapped up by Harry Redknapp
, joining West Ham United
for the start of the 1996–97
season. The transfer fee was fixed by tribunal at £1.4 million.
He had spent five years at the south coast club, and made a total of 157 appearances, scoring 16 goals.
, and made just seven appearances for West Ham towards the end of the campaign. Injury kept him out for the following two years (save a substitute appearance against Swansea City in the FA Cup in January 1999), before he finally decided to retire in April 1999, aged just 27.
, as the reserve team coach. After three years he left the club in 2009 and later joined East Anglian rivals Colchester United as the club's Development Coach.
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
who played as a defender
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
. He is currently a Development Coach at Colchester United, having previously been the reserve team coach at Ipswich Town.
Early career
Hall played youth football with local club Ipswich TownIpswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
but was let go at the age of 16. He then joined 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....
in July 1988 as a trainee. He made his debut on Boxing Day
Boxing Day
Boxing Day is a bank or public holiday that occurs on 26 December, or the first or second weekday after Christmas Day, depending on national or regional laws. It is observed in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and some other Commonwealth nations. In Ireland, it is recognized as...
1989 (against Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
), but, despite signing a professional contract on 20 March 1990, he did not appear again until the following season. He soon attracted the attention of scouts from larger clubs and joined Division 1 club Southampton before the season was over. He made 31 league and cup appearances for the club, scoring 3 goals.
Southampton
On 13 February 1991, Hall was signed by Chris NichollChris Nicholl
Christopher John "Chris" Nicholl is an English-born former Northern Ireland international footballer.-Playing career:Nicholl was born in Macclesfield...
joining Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
for a fee of £200,000. He made his debut in the final match of the season against Wimbledon
Wimbledon F.C.
Wimbledon Football Club was an English professional association football club from Wimbledon, south-west London. Founded in 1889 as Wimbledon Old Central Football Club, the club spent most of its history in amateur and semi-professional non-League football before being elected to the Football...
on 11 May 1991.
The powerfully built defender soon became a first choice central defender as Southampton struggled annually to remain in the newly formed Premiership. As well as commanding his own penalty area he was also a real threat in the opposition's box, including scoring with a header in the opening match of the 1991–92 season
1991-92 in English football
- First Division :The last-ever league championship before the creation of the Premier League was won by Leeds United who overhauled Manchester United thanks to the efforts of, among others, Gordon Strachan, Lee Chapman, David Batty, Gary Speed and Gary McAllister...
at Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
. Unfortunately, the regular change-over of managers resulted in the club allowing his contract to expire at the end of the 1995–96 season and he was snapped up by Harry Redknapp
Harry Redknapp
Henry James "Harry" Redknapp is a former English footballer who has enjoyed a long career in football management starting in 1983 with Bournemouth. He is the current manager of Tottenham Hotspur....
, joining 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...
for the start of the 1996–97
FA Premier League 1996-97
The 1996–97 FA Premier League season was the fifth season of the competition, since its formation in 1992. The majority of the season was contested by the reigning champions, Manchester United, along with Newcastle United, Arsenal and Liverpool...
season. The transfer fee was fixed by tribunal at £1.4 million.
He had spent five years at the south coast club, and made a total of 157 appearances, scoring 16 goals.
West Ham United
West Ham hoped that they had obtained a bargain but unfortunately, Hall sustained a foot injury during a pre-season game against CarshaltonCarshalton Athletic F.C.
Carshalton Athletic F.C. is an English football club based in Carshalton in the London Borough of Sutton, London. They currently play in the Isthmian League Premier Division, and are based at the War Memorial Sports Ground.-Early years:...
, and made just seven appearances for West Ham towards the end of the campaign. Injury kept him out for the following two years (save a substitute appearance against Swansea City in the FA Cup in January 1999), before he finally decided to retire in April 1999, aged just 27.
Coaching Career
In 2006 he rejoined his youth team, Ipswich TownIpswich Town F.C.
Ipswich Town Football Club are an English professional football team based in Ipswich, Suffolk. As of 2011, they play in the Football League Championship, having last appeared in the Premier League in 2001–02....
, as the reserve team coach. After three years he left the club in 2009 and later joined East Anglian rivals Colchester United as the club's Development Coach.