Allan Hunter (footballer)

Hunter spent the majority of his professional career with Ipswich, making over 350 appearances in his eleven years at the club. As a central defender, Hunter played for Coleraine (alongside his brother Victor), Oldham Athletic and Blackburn Rovers before making a £60,000 move to Ipswich Town in September 1971, in a transfer that saw Bobby Bell heading to Blackburn. Despite interest from Everton and Leeds, Hunter chose Ipswich when he met Bobby Robson – "...within five minutes I had no doubt that Ipswich was where I wanted to go." Hunter played in a full-strength Ipswich team against Stowmarket Town in a testimonial match in 1980. Ipswich won the match 15–0. His nephew, Barry, was manager of Rushden & Diamonds. ==International career==

Hunter made 53 appearances for Northern Ireland and is Ipswich Town's most capped international player (47 appearances while at Ipswich). ==Management career==

In 1982, Hunter accepted the role of player-manager at Colchester United where he appointed former Ipswich coach Cyril Lea as his assistant. Hunter did not last long in the position, and following the suicide of John Lyons in November 1982, he resigned from the club, leaving Lea in charge. ==After retirement==

Like many other ex-Ipswich players, Hunter settled in Suffolk following his retirement from the game. In 2009, Hunter was inaugurated into the Ipswich Town Hall of Fame, along with George Burley, Arnold Muhren and Billy Baxter. ==Managerial statistics==

Ipswich Town • FA Cup: 1978 Individual • Ipswich Town Player of the Year: 1975–1976 • Ipswich Town Hall of Fame: Inducted 2009 ==References==