Alan Hinton Class
and Consistency
by Keith Fisher
Football
Monthly December 1971 pp 45-46
Alan Hinton at Derby County, 1971
THE NAME of Alan Hinton lends to be overlooked these days
in a Derby County side with big-money signings Colin Todd
and Terry Hennessey, the potential of youngsters like
John Robson and John McGovern, and the composure of
skipper Roy McFarland.
Yet few people will argue that there is another winger in
the First Division who is playing more consistently or
more brilliantly.
To see Hinton racing down the touchline and unfolding one
of his left-foot "specials" is still one of
Soccer's most exciting spectacles.
Still only 28, fair-haired Hinton has crammed a wealth of
experience into a career stretching back 12 years and
including more than 300 League appearances.
Hinton's exhilarating form this season earns glowing
praise from County manager Brian Clough. He says:
"Alan
typifies Derby County. Without a doubt he is playing
better this season than at any time during his
career.
"The
fact that he rarely makes the headlines never bothers
him. He is an honest, hard-working footballer with a
no-frills approach to the game.
"The irritating thing is that people tend to
recognise Alan simply for his shooting ability. Yet
he is our main source of supply to the front line.
"He is ihe most accurate passer of the ball in
the game today. He can pass a ball wilh either foot
from A to B anywhere and any distance on the field.
"It is this kind of accuracy which has been so
beneficial to our striking trio of Kevin Hector, John
O'Hare and big Frank Wignall.
"His accuracy with corner-kicks and in all
dead-ball situations is uncanny. What's more, the lad
has such a warm personality. He's dedicated,
trust-worthy and a keen trainer.
"Our great start to the season was due in no
small measure to Alan. He's developed into a great
favourite with the Derby supporters."
'It's
a winner!'
Alan Hinton shoots and scores Derby County's third,
in spite of a challenge from Geoff Hutt .
Derby County v Huddersfield Town, 3 April 1971.
*(See below for details.)
Hinton,
one of the few old-style raiding wingers in the modern
game, first hit the headlines with his local club.
Wolves, where former Molineux master, Stan Cullis rated
his wing-work in the class of his old ace Jimmy Mullen.
One of the outstanding products of the famous Wolves
nursery scheme, he signed professional in 1959.
Joining a club whose heady list of seasoned professionals
included Bill Slater. Peter Broadbent and Ron Flowers was
an unnerving experience for any player, let alone a raw
youngster of 16.
Yet within two years his speed, shooting and growing
reputation as one of the best crossers of a ball in the
game had earned him the first of several England
Urtder-23 caps.
Hinton
shot to star material during the 1962-63 campaign
when he finished as the club's leading goalscorer
with 19 League goals from 38 first-team appearances.
That same season, former England team manager Walter
Winterbottom elevated him to full England status for
the Nations Cup tie with France at Hillsborough.
His left-wing partner that evening was Jimmy Greaves
and the side included experienced internationals like
Ron Springett. Jimmy Armfield and Ray Wilson.
Hinton's debut had no fairy-tale ending . . . England
only managed to scrape a 1-1 draw.
In 1964, after 77 first team appearances and 29
goals, Hinton surprisingly switched to Nottingham
Foresl in a player-exchange deal which took
"Flip" Le Flem to Wolves. Two more England
caps followed against Wales and Belgium at Wembley in
1965.
But
if there was anything that Hinton lacked during his
earlier career it was consistency.
At his best Hinton was a match-winner on his own and
capable of destroying any defence. Yet too often his
indifferent form led to aimless wandering along the
touchline, devoid of flair and confidence.
Strange then that it should be his consistency above all
else which has made him a hero with the County fans.
Clearly the enthusiasm of manager Brian Clough has rubbed
off on to this Wednesbury-born flyer.
Clough,
as shrewd a manipulator of the transfer market as
anyone in the game, snapped up Hinton for a bargain
£30,000 in 1967 to add skill and experience to a
young side bidding for a return to the top grade
after an absence of 16 years . . .
The
move has paid handsome dividends for both player and
club. No two players did more in helping County win
promotion in 1968-69 than Hinton and the indestructible
Dave Mackay.
While the guidance and experience of the old Spurs
war-horse raised the side to new heights, Hinton's
undoubted class brought out the potential in players like
Hector and O'Hare and enabled County to triumph with the
best Second Division promotion team since Leeds United
went up in 1964.
Derby's achievement is all the more creditable when you
remember that in April 1968 they finished fifth from
bottom of the Second Division.
Alan
Hinton opens the scoring with a penalty against David
Lawson
for Derby County v Huddersfield Town, 3 April 1971.
*(See below for details.)
Since
their return to the top flight. Hinton has gone from
strength to strength. From his debut in September 1967 he
has made more than 160 appearances for the Rams.
And while headlines surround Derby's more illustrious
stars as they strive for their first-ever League
Championship this season the high endeavour and
consistency of the unsung Alan Hinton will not pass
unnoticed by regulars at the Baseball Ground.
* The final score of the game played in Division
One was:
Derby County 3 (Alan Hinton 2, Kevin
Hector) v Huddersfield Town 2 (Dennis
Clarke, Roy Ellam).
The pictures are from the Derby County v Southampton
programme, 12 April, 1971.
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