Kenneth Hunt
Encyclopedia
Reverend Kenneth Reginald Gunnery Hunt (24 February 1884 – 28 April 1949) was an English amateur football (soccer)
player, Oxford Blue, F.A. Cup Final goal scorer, England cap holder, and Olympic gold medallist, having competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics
and in the 1920 Summer Olympics
.
, the son of an American-born Anglican minister, Robert George Hunt. He attended from the age of fourteen Wolverhampton Boys grammar School
, and later, from 1902, Trent College
, Nottingham, where he was appointed to the student position of Head of School.
In 1904, he went up to study classics at Queen's College
at Oxford University, where he earned four football Blues between 1904 and 1907,, but he graduated with only a pass degree..
reserves, where he came to the attention of professional clubs. He started playing for Wolverhampton Wanderers
in 1907 whilst still an undergraduate.
Having been part of the Wolverhampton Wanderers team who had won the FA cup on 25 April 1908 (scoring the opening goal in a 3-1 victory over Newcastle United
), he was a member of the English team
, which won the gold medal in the 1908 Summer Olympics
football tournament.
He also made two appearances for the full England
team in 1911 against Wales
and Scotland
.
He again played in the 1920 Olympic tournament
in Antwerp, when England lost in the first round to Norway.
Hunt never drew a salary but instead remained an amateur player throughout his time with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
in the Church of England
. He went on to become a Master and subsequently a Housemaster at Highgate School
. He became Housemaster of Grindal House where the House colours are still to this day Black and Gold in tribute to Hunt's playing days at Wolverhampton Wanderers. One of his students at Highgate was Murray Walker
.. Hunt died 28 April 1949 in Heathfield
, just two days before Wolverhampton Wanderers took the F.A. Cup
from Leicester City F.C.
at Wembley.
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...
player, Oxford Blue, F.A. Cup Final goal scorer, England cap holder, and Olympic gold medallist, having competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics
1908 Summer Olympics
The 1908 Summer Olympics, officially the Games of the IV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was held in 1908 in London, England, United Kingdom. These games were originally scheduled to be held in Rome. At the time they were the fifth modern Olympic games...
and in the 1920 Summer Olympics
1920 Summer Olympics
The 1920 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the VII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event in 1920 in Antwerp, Belgium....
.
Early life
Kenneth Reginald Gunnery Hunt was born 24 February 1884 in OxfordOxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
, the son of an American-born Anglican minister, Robert George Hunt. He attended from the age of fourteen Wolverhampton Boys grammar School
Wolverhampton Grammar School
Wolverhampton Grammar School is a co-educational independent school located in the city of Wolverhampton.Initially Wolverhampton Boys Grammar School, it was founded in 1512 by Sir Stephen Jenyns, a master of the ancient guild of Merchant Taylors, who was also Lord Mayor of London in the year of...
, and later, from 1902, Trent College
Trent College
Trent College is a co-educational, HMC independent day and boarding school. There are 760 pupils in the Senior School and 330 pupils in the Junior School, The Elms School...
, Nottingham, where he was appointed to the student position of Head of School.
In 1904, he went up to study classics at Queen's College
The Queen's College, Oxford
The Queen's College, founded 1341, is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. Queen's is centrally situated on the High Street, and is renowned for its 18th-century architecture...
at Oxford University, where he earned four football Blues between 1904 and 1907,, but he graduated with only a pass degree..
Footballing career
During his period at Oxford, Hunt played for Corinthian F.C., and Oxford City F.C.Oxford City F.C.
Oxford City Football Club is an English football club, currently playing in the Southern Football League Premier Division after gaining promotion via the Division One South & West playoffs...
reserves, where he came to the attention of professional clubs. He started playing for Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton 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 1907 whilst still an undergraduate.
Having been part of the Wolverhampton Wanderers team who had won the FA cup on 25 April 1908 (scoring the opening goal in a 3-1 victory over Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
), he was a member of the English team
England national amateur football team
The England national amateur football team was the amateur representative team for England at football. It was formed in 1906, due to the growth of the professional game which meant that amateur players could no longer easily find places in the main England national team.-First match and unbeaten...
, which won the gold medal in the 1908 Summer Olympics
1908 Summer Olympics
The 1908 Summer Olympics, officially the Games of the IV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was held in 1908 in London, England, United Kingdom. These games were originally scheduled to be held in Rome. At the time they were the fifth modern Olympic games...
football tournament.
He also made two appearances for the full 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...
team in 1911 against 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...
and Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
.
He again played in the 1920 Olympic tournament
Football at the 1920 Summer Olympics
The football at the 1920 Summer Olympics, was one of the 154 events at the 1920 Summer Olympics, held in Antwerp. It was the fifth time football was on the Olympic schedule. The tournament was contested by 14 teams, with host country Belgium winning the gold medals...
in Antwerp, when England lost in the first round to Norway.
Hunt never drew a salary but instead remained an amateur player throughout his time with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Later life
In 1909, Hunt fulfilled his childhood desire to become a clergyman when he was ordained as a deaconDeacon
Deacon is a ministry in the Christian Church that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions...
in the Church of England
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
. He went on to become a Master and subsequently a Housemaster at Highgate School
Highgate School
-Notable members of staff and governing body:* John Ireton, brother of Henry Ireton, Cromwellian General* 1st Earl of Mansfield, Lord Chief Justice, owner of Kenwood, noted for judgment finding contracts for slavery unenforceable in English law* T. S...
. He became Housemaster of Grindal House where the House colours are still to this day Black and Gold in tribute to Hunt's playing days at Wolverhampton Wanderers. One of his students at Highgate was Murray Walker
Murray Walker
Graeme Murray Walker, OBE is a former Formula One motorsport commentator...
.. Hunt died 28 April 1949 in Heathfield
Heathfield, East Sussex
Heathfield is a small market town, and the principal settlement in the civil parish of Heathfield and Waldron in the Wealden District of East Sussex, within the historic County of Sussex, England.-Location:...
, just two days before Wolverhampton Wanderers took the F.A. Cup
1949 FA Cup Final
The 1949 FA Cup Final was contested by Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leicester City at Wembley Stadium. Wolves finished 6th in the First Division during that season, and boasted several England internationals among their ranks, while Leicester City had struggled to avoid relegation in the Second...
from Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
at Wembley.
Honours
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...
- FA CupFA CupThe 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...
winner: 19081908 FA Cup FinalThe 1908 FA Cup Final was contested by Wolverhampton Wanderers and Newcastle United at Crystal Palace Park. Newcastle had just finished fourth in the First Division during this season, after two successive league titles and this was their third FA Cup final appearance in four years...