Chewing it over: who is York's new signing Jack Hunt?

The lowdown on the experienced defender

Jack Hunt became the latest addition to City’s squad when his signing was announced last Friday. At 35, he has a wealth of EFL experience, but what kind of player can we expect and where might he slot into the team?

The eyes of 30,000 people packed into Hillsborough were on Jack Hunt, but he looked the calmest person in the stadium as he stepped up to take the decisive spot-kick. Having trailed 4-0 to Peterborough after the first leg of their League One playoff semi-final, Sheffield Wednesday had pulled off one of the most improbable comebacks to win the second leg 5-1 and take the tie to a penalty shootout. Hunt knew that converting this penalty, his last ever kick at a ground that had become a second home, would send Wednesday to the final. Yet there was no sign of pressure as he stepped up to take it: casually chewing gum, the hint of a grin on his face, he looked more like he was lining up a spot-kick in his back garden.

The penalty itself was equally cool, as Hunt side-footed it into the top right corner while the Peterborough keeper stayed rooted to the spot. The miracle of Hillsborough was complete, and Hunt’s status as a cult hero with the club was secured. Wednesday went on to defeat Barnsley in the final to secure promotion back to the Championship, with Hunt coming off the bench in extra time as he did in the semi-final, meaning his second spell at the club had a perfect ending.

Hunt celebrates winning the League One playoffs with Sheffield Wednesday in 2023

It was Hunt’s second promotion from the third tier, coming more than a decade after his first. Back in 2011/12, having recently broken into the Huddersfield Town first-team after progressing through their youth ranks, he played a key role as the Terriers went up via the playoffs. This promotion featured another vital penalty scored by Hunt, this time in the final at Wembley as Huddersfield defeated Sheffield United in a shootout. Hunt’s performances at right-back that season earned him a place in the PFA League One team of the season, and he began to catch the eye of bigger clubs.

After another impressive season with Huddersfield in the Championship, Hunt was signed by Crystal Palace in 2013 for a reported £2 million fee. Palace had just been promoted to the Premier League under Ian Holloway, but the move got off to a nightmare start as Hunt broke his ankle a week after joining and was ruled out for half of the season. By the time he returned to fitness, Holloway had been replaced by Tony Pulis and Hunt was sent out on loan to Championship side Barnsley, but this spell was also hit by injury troubles and he only managed 10 appearances as the the Tykes suffered relegation.

Further loan spells the following season at Nottingham Forest and Rotherham were more successful, with Forest in particular keen to sign Hunt permanently, but it was his final loan from Palace to Sheffield Wednesday in 2015/16 where Hunt really flourished. Having established himself as their first-choice right-back, Hunt signed permanently for the Owls in January, and played a key role in helping them to the Championship playoff final. There was heartache at Wembley, however, as Hull defeated Wednesday 1-0.

After two further seasons with Wednesday, Hunt moved south to Bristol City in 2018. He spent three seasons as a regular at Ashton Gate, racking up over 100 further Championship appearances. When his time with the Robins was up, Hunt made a return to Sheffield Wednesday as they looked to bounce back from relegation to League One. He was a virtual ever-present in his first season back at the club, as they made the playoffs but lost out to Sunderland in the semi-final. His second season saw his game time more limited, but culminated in the glory of the miracle comeback against Peterborough and promotion at Wembley.

Hunt has experienced some frustrating seasons since leaving the Owls for a second time: a spell back in Bristol, this time with Bristol Rovers, was hampered by injury and managerial turbulence. Last season saw him sign a short-term contract at Stockport to help them through an injury crisis, then another short-term deal with Wigan which was less successful as he was cut adrift by new Latics manager Gary Caldwell and made only 3 appearances.

Following 15 years of playing consistently in the Championship and League One, then, Hunt has now dropped down to the fourth tier to join York. Having played the bulk of his career at right-back, we can expect him to be competing for the right wing-back spot along with a host of others including Jeff King and Joe Felix (indeed, Hunt’s arrival may suggest that one of the other contenders for that spot could depart the club). He has also spent some time playing right centre-back more recently, and featured there in his first appearance for City in pre-season so could also be seen as an option there, although his stature at 5ft 9in may not make him a natural centre-back.

A key attribute Hunt brings is obviously his experience: with over 500 appearances at clubs in League One and above, his know-how could be vital alongside a back line which has relatively limited football league playing time otherwise. In his first interview since joining the club, Hunt describes his main strengths as passing and crossing, which fits the profile of what Stuart Maynard tends to proritise in wing-backs.
There could be concerns over whether, at 35, Hunt retains the pace and fitness to thrive in a physically demanding wing-back role. What no-one could doubt is his pedigree or his coolness under pressure. And if City find themselves with a crucial penalty shootout come the end of the season, they know who to call for. Just make sure he’s kept well stocked with chewing gum.