Roger Patrick "Ernie" Hunt (17 March 1943 – 20 June 2018) was an English professional footballer celebrated for his inventive attacking play and technical skill. Often called Ernie Hunt to distinguish him from a contemporary with a similar name, he operated mainly as an inside forward or attacking midfielder and spent his career with a number of Football League clubs.
Playing style and reputation
Hunt was admired for close control, quickness in short spaces and an eye for goal. He combined a creative passing touch with the ability to shoot from distance, which made him valuable both as a goal threat and as a creator. Teammates and supporters often remembered him for clever, unconventional solutions to set-piece situations.
Club career
During a professional career that spanned more than a decade, Hunt represented several English league sides and had a spell in the United States. His senior clubs included:
He also took part in the brief United Soccer Association experiment in the United States, appearing for the team billed as the Los Angeles Wolves during that competition.
Notable moment: the "donkey kick" free‑kick
One of Hunt's most widely remembered contributions to the game was a creative free‑kick routine executed while he was at Coventry City. In that move a teammate flicked the ball up from the ground and Hunt volleyed it into the net — an unusual innovation at the time that attracted attention and debate about set‑piece legality. The goal became a famous example of inventive play and was influential in prompting clarifications to the laws governing free kicks.
International recognition and later life
Hunt received three caps for the England under‑23 team, reflecting recognition at youth international level though he never reached the full senior England side. After retiring from playing he lived away from the media spotlight. He died in Gloucestershire on 20 June 2018 from complications of Alzheimer's disease, leaving a legacy as a memorable and skilful figure in English domestic football. The place of his death and related local notices were reported from Gloucestershire.
Legacy and distinctions
Ernie Hunt is often recalled for his technical creativity and the free‑kick that entered football folklore. His career illustrates the mid‑20th century English professional who moved between several clubs, adapted to different roles in attack and contributed memorable moments that remain part of the sport's anecdotal history.
Further information on his life and career can be found in contemporary match reports and club histories; many club archives and fan resources preserve accounts of his appearances and goals. For general reference see club pages and historical summaries of the competitions in which he played (United Soccer Association and the English Football League).
Selected references and club pages: Swindon Town, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Everton, Coventry City.