Roger Hunt MBE

Once in the First Division, the success continued with Roger Hunt being the top scorer which led to Liverpool winning the League Championship in 1963-64 and 1965-66 seasons. In between these he was instrumental in the 1965 FA cup win against Leeds United, scoring the opening goal in the 93rd minute. This is the man that that caught my attention on that day and it still has not left. He also scored Liverpool's only goal of the game when we lost 2-1 to Borussia Dortmund. Roger Hunt also holds the accolade of being the first player to have his goal shown on BBC1's Match of the Day. During his career, he was also capped 34 times for his country, including the famous 4-2 victory over Germany in 1966. It is for this service to his country that he was finally knighted this year. I guess that is better late than never. After this Roger went back to playing his domestic football for Liverpool but his days were numbered as Shankly was beginning another rebuild and he finally left after making 492 appearances. He returned for a while and made a further 76 appearances before forming a haulage company and becoming a member of the pools panel.

Now to the interview with John Keith and I apologise in advance to him and Citytalk 105.9 if I appear to be breaking any rules but as it was broadcast, I feel that it has been put out into the public domain.

After welcoming him, John Keith asked what he did upon his immediate retirement. Roger Hunt said that he was invited to do after dinner speaking. He accepted and his first one took place in Huddersfield. He arrived early and was as you can imagine extremely nervous. Waiting a while he then met up with the gentleman concerned who explained the procedure. Roger would speak. They would then have a meal before a short question and answer session. This turned into a session that lasted 45 minutes. John Keith then cut in and asked if he enjoyed it - Roger said no and then decided to give up the idea of after dinner speaking.

The questions were then switched to cover the 1966 world cup final at Wembley. John Keith mentioned that he had read in referee Graham Polls book that he felt the disputed goal had not in fact gone over the line. Roger said that he was only yards away from the goal and he can assure everyone that yes it did go over the line. It was definitely a goal and was surprised at Graham Polls comments. This is a top referee who should have done his research better including going into the old Echo archives. Roger also said that he now wishes he had kicked the ball back into the net to make doubly sure it was counted. John Keith then commented saying that 1966 was in fact a very good year for Merseyside. Roger said yes it was, both Liverpool and Everton had been involved in League and Cup wins and everyone was on a high. Going back to the World Cup he asked Roger how he felt after helping England to win the cup. Roger said that it was a wonderful day and one that would be remembered for ever as it is something that he will never experience again.

The interview then turned back to Liverpool Football Club with John Keith asking how he felt when they won the FA Cup in 1965. Roger said that it was a great day and one that would stand out for ever. It was in fact the last time that Liverpool won a trophy until 1973. It was during this time that Bill Shankly decided to ring the changes and start his next great rebuild. At this point John Keith asked what Bill Shankly was like as a manager. Roger replied that he was a very popular man with his staff and players, along with the supporters of course. But in front of the press he became very quiet. He was also a great disciplinarian. Roger then told the story of a couple of players who were late back one day. They arrived to find their passports waiting for them. It never happened again.

The conversation, although very interesting by this point seemed to be going backwards and forwards and John Keith again bought up the England situation. He asked Roger if he felt he was good enough to play for England in the final at that point. No he said, he honestly thought that George Hurst along with Jimmy Greaves would be the two that played. Unfortunately though for Jimmy Greaves he was injured and Roger got his chance and the rest they say is history. John Keith then said that he understood the England 66 veterans still got together once a year. Roger said yes that happened, each year it is arranged by a different ex player so they in effect go around the country.

As he put it, the lads play golf and the girls go shopping. At this point John Keith laughed and said aah the Wags, also mentioning that apparently sponsorship had been offered to cover these events. Roger said that yes it had, but it was something that he and the other ex players wanted to keep it as a private event.

John Keith then went over Roger's career with him. I have covered most of this in my short history above but will continue bits from the interview here. Roger asked if he felt that he and Ian St John played well together. His answer was definitely and it was partnership that lasted for several years. His greatest memory whilst playing for Liverpool Football Club as I have already mentioned was winning the 1965 FA Cup Final. It is something that he rates higher than anything else. John Keith then asked how he felt when Shanks substituted him for the very first time. Roger replied that he was in total shock. It was something that the FA had only recently bought in. Up until that time substitutes were unheard off and when the law first came in it was to cover injured players, not ones that were showing signs of tiredness. Shanks being Shanks had not told his players in advance that he would be taking advantage of this rule and suddenly during the game Roger was substituted. Not understanding or believing it at first he carried on playing and it was only once the ball had been knocked out of play and the referee came over to him, that he left the pitch. John Keith interrupted at this point and mentioned about Roger flinging his shirt to the ground. Yes, he said I did that through anger and total shock. Although he later apologised, this marked the end of his playing career at Liverpool Football Club. Roger said that he really did not want to leave Liverpool but ended his career at Bolton.

Finishing off, John Keefe mentioned his testimonial at Anfield several years later. In those days you did not have a testimonial until you had actually retired from the game. Roger said that he was amazed at how many supporters had come to wish him well that evening. I will answer that by saying, Roger you helped a lot us along the journey of becoming a supporter of our beloved club. If I had not been transfixed by you and the rest of the lads in the 1965 cup final, I probably would not support the club in the way I do today. Thank you Roger for the hours you have given Liverpool Football Club during your playing days and the many things you have done for them since.

Once again, I apologise to John Keith and Citytalk 105.9 if I have used anything that I should not have. I have shortened it quite a bit and changed some of the wording so that it reads less like a script. It was a very interesting interview and it was a great pity that it could not have been longer.