Local Sport

Motley crew turn out for Hiley testimonial

Fans who turned up to St James Park on Wednesday last week were treated to a coming together of two rather unusual teams to celebrate the career of popular full back Scott Hiley – a (very) ordinary ECFC team, and an opposition for whom the title 'All Stars' would seem to be a tad inaccurate.

Hiley has enjoyed a prosperous playing career which has taken in clubs as far a field as Birmingham City, Manchester City, Southampton, Portsmouth and even the mighty Crawley Town. Hiley has had the distinction of having played in the Premiership, winning Portsmouth's Player Of The Year, and most importantly being part of an ECFC team crowned champions of Division Four, an achievement made all the more distinguished as few have managed the feat of winning this competition since 1990 (largely due to Division 4 not existing anymore, but let’s not split hairs).

The 'Scott Hiley All Stars' team that turned out on Wednesday however, made very interesting reading. The squad contained a menagerie of colourful and calamitous characters including: Tubby Goal Of The Month aficionado Matt Le Tissier, David 'Calamity' James, the always committed one-goal-a-season midfield dynamo Danny Bailey, sons of legends Nigel Clough and Nicky Summerbee, and ex-Premiership players who never really cut the mustard David Howells and Guy Whittingham. The standing of these players as All Stars was made especially questionable by the result – defeated 2-0.

Scott Hiley will always be held in high esteem amongst the City faithful for his years of fine service to the club - but will also be remembered by football fans countrywide for possibly the finest example of a nutmeg you’ll ever see...

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